Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926 in London. She became queen in 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI. She has reigned for over 57 years, making her the longest reigning British monarch in history. As queen, she carries out various governmental and ceremonial duties as head of state, head of the armed forces, and head of the Church of England. She resides at several royal residences including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral Castle, and Sandringham House.

1. Queen Elizabeth II

2. The Queen’s early life
The Queen was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton
Street in Mayfair, London.
She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who
later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
At the time she stood third in line of succession to the throne
after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and
her father, The Duke of York. But it was not expected that
her father would become King, or that she would become
Queen.

3. The Duke and Duchess of York with
Princess Elizabeth

4. The Queen’s early life
The Princess was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the
private chapel at Buckingham Palace. She was named after her
mother, while her two middle names are those of her paternal
great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, and paternal grandmother,
Queen Mary.
The Princess's early years were spent at 145 Piccadilly, the London
house taken by her parents shortly after her birth, and at White
Lodge in Richmond Park.
She also spent time at the country homes of her paternal
grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, and her mother's
parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore.
In 1930, Princess Elizabeth gained a sister, with the birth of
Princess Margaret Rose. The family of four was very close.

5. The Queen’s early life
When she was six years old, her parents took over Royal Lodge in
Windsor Great Park as their own country home.
Princess Elizabeth's quiet family life came
to an end in 1936, when her grandfather,
King George V, died. His eldest son came to
the throne as King Edward VIII, but,
before the end of the year, King Edward
VIII had decided to give up the throne in
order to marry the woman he loved, Mrs
Wallis Simpson.

6. King Edward VIII abdication speech 1939
http://youtu.be/re6G1hTlrEo

7. The Queen’s early life
Upon his abdication, Princess Elizabeth's father acceded to the
throne as King George VI, and in 1937 the two Princesses
attended their parents' coronation in Westminster Abbey.
Princess Elizabeth was now first in line to the throne, and a
figure of even more intense public interest.

8. Princess Elizabeth
BBC Children's Hour Broadcast
1940
http://youtu.be/VJI9LPFQth4

9. Education
Princess Elizabeth was educated at home with Princess Margaret,
her younger sister.
After her father succeeded to the throne in 1936 and she
became heir presumptive, she started to study constitutional
history and law as preparation for her future role.
Princess Elizabeth also studied art and music, learned to ride, and
became a strong swimmer. She won the Children's Challenge
Shield at London's Bath Club when she was thirteen.
Princess Elizabeth enrolled as a Girl Guide when she was eleven,
and later became a Sea Ranger.

10. Education
In 1940, at the height of the Blitz, the young Princesses were moved
for their safety to Windsor Castle, where they spent most of the
war years.
It was a time of austerity and anxiety for the whole country,
including the Royal Family. But at Christmas time there was a period
of light relief when the young Princesses put on pantomimes with the
children of members of staff for the enjoyment of her family and
employees of the Royal Household.

11. Wedding Day
In November 1947, she married
Philip Mountbatten (formerly Prince
Philip of Greece and Denmark), who
was created duke of Edinburgh.

12. Wedding Day 1947

13. The Queen’s Family
Prince Charles,
Princess Anne born in 1950
born in 1948.

14. The Queen’s Family
Prince Andrew born in 1960
Prince Edward born in 1964

15. Coronation Day 1947
In 1952, King George VI's illness forced
him to abandon his proposed visit to
Australia and New Zealand. The
Princess, accompanied by Prince Philip,
took his place.
On Wednesday, 6 February 1952,
Princess Elizabeth received the news of
her father's death and her own
accession to the throne, while staying in
a remote part of Kenya.

16. The tour had to be abandoned, and the young Princess flew back to Britain
as Queen. She was greeted by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and other
officials at the airport.
The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. It was a
solemn ceremony conducted by Dr Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of
Canterbury.
Television brought home to hundreds of thousands of people around the
Commonwealth the splendour and significance of the Coronation in a way
never before possible.

17. Coronation Day 1947

18. Family tree
http://www.britroyals.com/windsor.htm

19. Present Day
The Queen is
now 83 years.
The Queen has
now reigned for
57 years and
10 months.

20. The Queen's Role
Although the Queen is no longer responsible for governing the country,
she carries out a great many important tasks on behalf of the nation.
Head of State
As Head of State, the Queen goes on official State visits abroad. She
also invites other world leaders to come to the United Kingdom. During
their visit, Heads of State usually stay at Buckingham Palace, or
sometimes at Windsor Castle or Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Head of the Armed Forces
The Queen is also the Head of the Armed Forces. She is the only
person who can declare when the country is at war and when war is
over, although she must take advice from her government first.
Head of the Church of England
The Queen is Head of the Church of England - a position that all
British monarchs have held since it was founded by Henry VIII in the
1530s. The Queen appoints archbishops and bishops on the advice of
the Prime Minister. The spiritual leader of the Church of England is
the Archbishop of Canterbury.

21. The Queen’s Role
Government Duties
Every day 'red boxes' are delivered to the Queen's desk full of
documents and reports from the government ministers and
Commonwealth officials. They must all be read and, if necessary,
signed by the Queen.
Represents the Nation
The Queen represents the nation at times of great celebration or
sorrow. One example of this is Remembrance Day ceremony at the
Cenotaph monument in Whitehall. The Queen lays a wreath there each
year to honour the members of the armed forces who have died
fighting for their country.
Royal Garden Parties
At least three Royal Garden Parties are held at Buckingham Palace
each year and about 8,000 guests attend each one.
Visits
Alongside her other duties the Queen spends a huge amount of time
travelling around the country visiting hospitals, schools, factories and
other places and organisations.

22. Why does Queen Elizabeth have two
birthdays?
The Queen is very lucky because she has two birthdays, one in April
and one in June.
When is the Queen's real birthday?
The Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April.
When does the Queen have her public and official birthday?
It has long been customary to celebrate the Sovereign’s birthday
publicly on a day during the summer, when better weather is more
likely.
Since 1805, the Sovereign’s 'official' summer birthday has been
marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony, normally held on the
second Saturday in June. It is also marked by the
flying of the Union flag on government buildings, a 42-gun salute and
the publication of the birthday honours list.
No particular ceremony is held on The Queen's true birthday,
although the Union Flag is flown on public buildings.

23. Where
does the
Queen
live?

24. The Queen does not just have one house she
has many houses.
Windsor Castle
Buckingham Palace
Balmoral Castle Sandringham House