Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth is the head of the British Commonwealth of Nations and, in addition to Britain, the queen of 15 independent states: Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Jamaica. He is also the head of the Church of England and the supreme commander of the armed forces of Great Britain.
Elizabeth II is the last representative of the so-called "old school" of the monarchs: she strictly adheres to centuries-old traditions and ceremonies and never deviates from the rules of established etiquette. Her Majesty never gives interviews or statements in the press. She is in full view, but at the same time is the most closed celebrity on the planet.
Childhood
Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Maria was born in the Mayfair district of London, received her name in honor of her mother (Elizabeth), grandmother (Maria) and great-grandmother (Alexandra). The eldest daughter of Prince Albert, Duke of York (future King George VI, 1895-1952) and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (1900-2002).
The future queen received a good home education, mainly humanitarian. Since childhood, she loved horses and equestrian sport. And also since childhood, unlike her more eccentric sister Margaret, she had a truly royal character. In the biography of Elizabeth II, Sarah Bradford mentions that the future queen from childhood was a very serious child, who already had a certain understanding of the duties that fell on her, as the heiress to the throne, and a sense of duty. Since childhood, Elizabeth loved order, so she, for example, going to bed, always put slippers next to the bed, never allowing herself to throw things in the room, as is common for many children. And already being a queen, she always made sure that the extra light did not burn in the palace, personally turning off the lighting in empty rooms.
Princess at war
The Second World War began when Elizabeth was 13 years old. October 13, 1940 she first appeared on the radio - with an appeal to children affected by the scourge of war. In 1943, her first independent appearance in public took place - a visit to the regiment of guard grenadiers. In 1944, she became one of the five "state advisers" (persons entitled to perform the functions of the king in the event of his absence or incapacity). In February 1945, Elizabeth joined the "Territorial Support Service" - women's self-defense units - and was trained as a driver of an ambulance, receiving the military rank of lieutenant. Her military service lasted five months, which gives reason to consider her the last not yet retired participant in the Second World War (the penultimate was Pope Benedict XVI, who served as an anti-aircraft gunner in the German armed forces).
Wedding
On November 20, 1947, Elizabeth married her distant relative, who, like her, was the great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria, Prince Philip Mountbatten, the son of the Greek Prince Andrew, who was then an officer in the British Navy. She met him at the age of 13, when Philip was still a cadet of the Dortmouth Naval School. Becoming her husband, Philip received the title of Duke of Edinburgh.
In November 2007, the Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, celebrated the “diamond wedding” - the sixtieth anniversary of marriage. For the sake of such an event, the queen allowed herself a little freedom - for one day they retired with their spouse for romantic memories in Malta, where Prince Philip once served, and the young Princess Elizabeth visited him.
Four children were born in their family: the heir to the throne - the eldest son Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales (born 1948); Princess Anna Elizabeth Alice Louise (born 1950); Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward, Duke of York (born 1960), Edward Anthony Richard Louis, Earl of Wessex (born 1964).
On December 29, 2010, Elizabeth II became the first great-grandmother for the first time. On this day, her eldest grandson - the eldest son of Princess Anne Peter Phillips - and his Canadian wife Otam Kelly had a daughter. The girl became the 12th in the British line of succession.
Coronation and the beginning of reign
King George VI, the father of Elizabeth, died on February 6, 1952. Elizabeth, who was at the time with her husband on vacation in Kenya, was proclaimed Queen of Great Britain. The coronation ceremony of Elizabeth II was held at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. This was the first coronation of the British monarch, broadcast on television, and, as it is believed, this event significantly contributed to the growth of popularity of television broadcasting.
Young Queen Elizabeth II
The queen began her political activities, which included the opening of Parliament and the reception of prime ministers. In the fifties of the twentieth century, Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made many visits throughout the United Kingdom and the countries of the Commonwealth.
In the sixties, the Queen of England made her historic visit to West Berlin at the height of the Cold War, and also invited the Japanese Emperor Hirohito on an official visit to Britain. Despite the turbulent social and political situation, she celebrated her silver anniversary in 1977. The celebrations were a success, thousands of people celebrated the anniversary of Elizabeth II throughout the country.
The Mature Years of Queen Elizabeth II
Five years later, Britain participated in hostilities against the Falkland Islands, during which Prince Andrew served on the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot. In the eighties of the twentieth century, the Queen’s first grandchildren were born - Peter and Zara Phillips, the son and daughter of Anna, the royal princess and captain Mark Phillips.
In 1992, a catastrophe occurred, as a result of which fire destroyed part of Windsor Castle. In the same year, the marriages of Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, and Princess Anne were dissolved. The queen called 1992 "a terrible year." In 1996, the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was dissolved. The tragedy ensued in 1997, when Diana died in a car accident.
2002 was a sad year for Queen Elizabeth II of England, as her sister Princess Margaret died.
The reign of Queen Elizabeth II
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth II of England in the UK, many changes were made. The Queen successfully fulfills her political duties as head of state, head of the Commonwealth of Nations, ceremonial duties, and duties for visits within the UK and beyond.
Elizabeth II introduced many reforms to the monarchy. In 1992, she proposed introducing income taxes and capital gains. She opened the official royal residence for the people, including Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, with the aim of financing the maintenance of the royal family.
She supported the abolition of male birthright and uniform inheritance, which means that now the eldest child, regardless of gender, can inherit the throne.
In 2017, the Queen of England celebrated the sixty-fifth anniversary of the reign, celebrations were held throughout the country, which once again demonstrated the love of the British.
