Today It’s Your Birthday – Elizabeth Windsor!

Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022) was the longest-reigning British monarch, serving from 1952 until her death at age 96. Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926 in London. Her parents were then known as the Duke and Duchess of York. Prince Albert—later known as King George VI—was the second son of Queen Mary and King George V. Her mother was Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

Colour photograph of Princess Elizabeth of York (Queen Elizabeth II) as a young baby. She was born at 17 Bruton Street on 21st April 1926 and christened at the Private Chapel, Buckingham Palace on the 29th May. Date: 1926

At the time of her birth, most people didn’t realize Elizabeth would someday become the queen of the United Kingdom. Nicknamed Lilibet, she got to enjoy the first decade of her life with all the privileges of being a royal without the pressures of being the heir apparent.

Elizabeth’s father and mother divided their time between a home in London and Royal Lodge, the family’s home on the grounds of Windsor Great Park. Elizabeth and her younger sister, Margaret, were educated at home by tutors. Academic courses included French, mathematics, and history, along with dancing, singing, and art lessons.

Portrait of Princess Elizabeth (left) and Princess Margaret ((1930-2002) pictured together in 1934. (Photo by Marcus Adams/Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Elizabeth and her sister largely stayed out of London, having been relocated to Windsor Castle. From there she made the first of her famous radio broadcasts in 1940, with this particular speech reassuring the children of Britain who had been evacuated from their homes and families. The 14-year-old princess, showing her calm and firm personality, told them “that in the end, all will be well; for God will care for us and give us victory and peace.”

Elizabeth soon started taking on other public duties. Appointed colonel-in-chief of the Grenadier Guards by her father, Elizabeth made her first public appearance inspecting the troops in 1942. She also began to accompany her parents on official visits within Britain.

In 1945, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service to help in the war effort. She trained side-by-side with other British women to be an expert driver and mechanic. While her volunteer work only lasted a few months, it offered Elizabeth a glimpse into a different, non-royal world. She had another vivid experience outside of the monarchy when she and Margaret were allowed to mingle anonymously among the citizenry on Victory in Europe Day.

 

She married Prince Philip in 1947 and had four children: King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.

Queen Elizabeth II became queen of the United Kingdom on February 6, 1952. She was crowned on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey, at the age of 27. For the first time ever, the coronation ceremony was broadcast on television, allowing people from across the globe to witness the pomp and spectacle of the event.

Prince Charles ascended to the throne after her death. As the longest-serving monarch in British history, she tried to make her reign more modern and sensitive to a changing public while maintaining traditions associated with the crown. Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022, at age 96.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend Vernon Park during a Diamond Jubilee visit to Nottingham on June 13, 2012, in Nottingham, England (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

State opening of Parliament, Westminster

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2 Responses to Today It’s Your Birthday – Elizabeth Windsor!

  1. auscitizenmom's avatar auscitizenmom says:

    How nice. I never actually supported the queen. We made that decision 250 years ago. But, I think there was more positives to her than I realized.

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    • Stella's avatar Stella says:

      As queens go, she did a pretty good job. I’m not a monarchist myself, but it’s interesting to compare their way of life to ours, since we are similar in other ways.

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