The Basics
Queen Elizabeth II was born in the early morning of April 21, 1926 at the Bruton St. house of her grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. It was a difficult birth and she was delivered by a cesearan section. She is the oldest child of Prince Albert, The Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, The Duchess of York and she was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. She was her grandfather, King George V's, favorite grandchild and he called her Lilibet. Secertly he hoped she would be queen, even though her father was not next in line for the throne. Her childhood was a happy one spent in London with her mother, father, and sister, Princess Margaret. She and Margeret were tutored at home by their governess "Crawfie" and they lived a happy, simple life. This all ended when King George died in 1936 and his heir Edward VII gave up the throne 6 monthes later. Edward abdicated because he loved an American divorcee, who the British people would not have as Queen Consort. This left Elizabeth's father to be the next King, George VI, and her as heir to the throne. The King was barely on the throne for two years when World War II broke out and the family was further disrupted. Elizabeth and Margaret stayed in England with their parents; a source of strength for the British people. In 1945 Elizabeth's father finally let her participate in the war effort and she spends her days servicing vehicles, learning to read maps, and driving convoys. The war ends a few monthes later and by that the time Elizabeth is in love with a man named Prince Philip of Greece. They eventually marry on November 20, 1947, in a beautiful ceremony. Prince Charles, her oldest child, is born on November 15, 1948 and ensures that there will be a male heir to the throne. Her only daughter, Princess Anne, is born two years later on August 15, 1950. By this time George VI is not doing well and Elizabeth sees him for the last time on January 31, 1952, as she leaves for a tour of Australia with Philip. George VI dies on February 6, 1952 and Elizabeth hears the news while checking out wild animals in Kenya. She is officially crowned on June 2, 1953, as Queen Elizabeth II and is the sixth woman to be Queen in British history. She has two more sons, Prince Andrew born in February of 1960 and Prince Edward born on March 10, 1964. She has been a popular Queen but in 1992, many questioned her reign and the monarchy itself. After Windsor Castle burned on November 20, 1992 the British people forced her to pay taxes or the castle would not be restored. That was also the year that Charles and Diana seperated along with Andrew and Sarah and Anne divorced her husband Mark Philips. The Queen recovered but people questioned her sense of tradition again when Princess Diana died in 1997. To become more available to her subjects she has tried getting out more and doing more normal things. She is clearly moving with the times, even if it is difficult for her.
