Queen Elizabeth II (1952 - 2022)

Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London on 21 April 1926; she was educated privately, and assumed official duties at 16. During World War II she served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and by an amendment to the Regency Act she became a state counsellor on her 18th birthday. On the death of George VI in 1952 she succeeded to the throne while in Kenya with her husband and was crowned on 2 June 1953.

The 70 year reign of Queen Elizabeth II from 1952 to 2022 spanned a period of rapid and occasionally turbulent change. Britain’s position in the world, her economy, and the very shape and structures of society were all transformed and many traditional institutions have suffered in the process. Through all this, the path of the Crown was marked out by The Queen herself, in a prolonged display of unwavering devotion to Duty and quiet pragmatism which met a nationally-felt need, and won her the respect and affection of her peoples.

As hereditary head of State for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Head of the Commonwealth, she had symbolic and formal functions and duties but no direct powers. She was an embodiment of national identity and continuity and with her family performed countless formalities to mark events in the lives of individuals and communities and provided valuable patronage for innumerable charities. The Commonwealth of Nations was particularly close to her heart and she and her husband Philip undertook many state visits overseas.

Her reign was the longest ever of a British monarch. She was married to her husband Prince Philip for 73 years until his death aged 99 on 9th April 2021. The Queen was head of a large family, and she had 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. The Royal Family suffered its share of divorces, controversy, and tragedy including the death of Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris, and relentless intrusion by the world's press into their lives. Under the Queens guidance the institution of the monarchy has been through evolutionary change and she was a deeply loved and admired figure at the time of her death aged 96 at Balmoral, Scotland, on 8th September 2022. She has been succeeded by her son King Charles III.

Queen Elizabeth II's Signature

Quotes:

‘I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.’ – Queen Elizabeth II

‘It's all to do with the training: you can do a lot if you're properly trained’ – Queen Elizabeth II

‘Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.’ – Queen Elizabeth II

‘I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else - I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.’ – Queen Elizabeth II.

Timeline for Queen Elizabeth II