Elizabeth II
What do you already know about Elizabeth II?
Elizabeth II was our queen before the reign of Charles III, her son. She was the longest reigning monarch (king or queen) of his country ever and was queen for 70 years and 214 days.
When Elizabeth was born she was third in line to the throne and not expected to become queen. Her grandfather, King George V was king. When he died his eldest son and Elizabeth’s uncle, Edward VIII became king but a year later he abdicated to marry a women he couldn’t marry as king. As a result George V’s second son Albert, Elizabeth’s father, became king instead. When Albert became king he changed his name to George and was crowned King George VI. This meant that Elizabeth was suddenly next in line to the throne.
Elizabeth became queen aged 25 years old in 1952 when her father King George VI died on the 6th February. This all happened while she was in Kenya in Africa on a royal tour. She flew back to England immediately. She was crowned on the 2nd June 1953, at her coronation at Westminster Abbey in London.
Elizabeth II married Prince Philip in 1947. They had four children together, Charles, Anne, Edward and Andrew. Prince Philip sadly died in 2021 aged 99.
Elizabeth didn’t have as much power as previous kings and queens had in the past. She ruled the country alongside a Prime Minister with whom she met with regularly. Elizabeth II worked with a lot of different Prime Ministers, and they benefited from her experience and advice.
The Queen traveled quite a lot, visiting places in her country and other places around the world, especially those in the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth are countries linked to Great Britain, many of which were part of the British Empire in the past. It includes 53 countries.
The Queen had many different homes. When she was home the Royal Standard flag flew on a flagpole somewhere on the property. If she was not home the Union flag was put up instead. Her main home in London was Buckingham Palace, but she also spent time in Windsor Castle not far away from London. Some of her other homes include Sandringham and Balmoral Castle.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip
During the Queen’s reign she marked four special jubilees to celebrate how long she had reigned for.
These jubilees were big celebrations with lots of events planned, including concerts at Buckingham Palace, special processions through London and flybys over the palace too. In cities in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, people lit beacons in celebration. The Queen and members of the royal family took part in lots of visits and tours in celebration too.
Normal people in the county celebrated too, enjoying an extra bank holiday, watching the events in London and enjoying street parties with friends and neighbours.
In 1977 the Queen’s Silver Jubilee was celebrated, marking her 25 year anniversary of being Queen.
In 2002 Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of being queen. Only King George III and Queen Victoria before her reigned long enough to have had a Golden Jubilee too.
Ten years later in 2012 the queen had her Diamond Jubilee, celebrating 60 years on the British throne. Only Queen Victoria also celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. Three years later, in September 2015 Elizabeth II passed Queen Victoria’s record of 63 years, 7 months and 1 day as queen. Elizabeth officially became the longest reigning monarch ever!
In 2022 the queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking an incredible 70 years on the throne.
Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952. She was coronated in 1953 a Westminster Abbey.
Celebrating 60 years of being Queen. Can you spot the Queen on Buckingham Palace's balcony?
A parade through London celebrating 70 years on the throne.
People paying their respects to the Queen at Westminster Hall in London before her funeral.
Sadly just over three months after celebrating her historic Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II died. She was 96 years old. She died on the 8th September 2022 at her Scottish home Balmoral Castle. Her son Charles then became the King.
The Queens funeral happened on the 19th September at Westminster Abbey in London. Before that thousands of people waited hours in line to walk past her casket and pay their respects. Her final resting place was in St George’s Chapel at her home in Windsor Castle.
What we've learnt...
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest ever reigning monarch of this country.
When she was born she was third in line to the throne and wasn’t expected to be queen one day.
She became queen after her father died in 1952 when she was 25 years old.
Elizabeth II was married to Prince Phillip and they had four children, Charles, Anne, Edward and Andrew.
Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, just over three months after her Platinum Jubilee.
Her eldest son Prince Charles was her heir and became king after her.
Test your knowledge...
Elizabeth II Quiz
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#1. Who was Elizabeth married to?
#2. What year did Elizabeth II die?
#3. How many years was Elizabeth II Queen?
#4. How old was the Queen when she died?
#5. Who was Queen Elizabeth’s heir?
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Creative Commons Images used with thanks…
Diamond Jubilee – 5th June 2012 by Brian Harrington Spier – CC BY-SA 2.0
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 2022 by Number 10 – CC BY 2.0
All other photos and illustrations on this page are Whizzbots, Shutterstock and Public Domain Images.
