Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was Queen for 70 years – she was the second longest-reigning monarch in history, and the longest-reigning queen. At the time of her death she was Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms, including New Zealand. Michelle Cooke looks back at her life – from the day she was born until the day she died.
The Duke and Duchess of York welcome their first child into the world – Princess Elizabeth, born on 21 April. She is given the name Elizabeth Alexandra Mary after her mother and both grandmothers. She was christened in a private chapel in Buckingham Palace in late May. Princess Elizabeth is third in line to the throne – behind her father and uncle.
The then-princess spent her younger years in Piccadilly and at her grandparent’s homes. She was educated at home and had a love for horses.
Photograph of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (right) with Princess Elizabeth (left) and Princess Margaret (centre), 1926 (Ann Ronan Picture Library)
Photograph of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (right) with Princess Elizabeth (left) and Princess Margaret (centre), 1926 (Ann Ronan Picture Library)
Now 10, Princess Elizabeth, her parents and younger sister Margaret live in Royal Lodge, a few kilometres from Windsor Castle. According to reports she lived a relatively quiet life until 1936 when her grandfather, King George V died. Her uncle King Edward VIII took the throne but gave it up by the end of the year to marry divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson, leaving her father to accede as King George VI, and her first in line.
Princess Elizabeth and her sister spent most of the war years at Windsor Castle, separated from their parents who stayed at Buckingham Palace. In October 1940, then aged 14, the princess delivered a message to children around the world. She told them all will be well in the end. “And when peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.”
In 1945 she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service, trained as a driver and mechanic and was soon promoted to Junior Commander. According to reports, the then-princess and her sister secretly took part in VE Day celebrations, mingling with the public.
Princess Elizabeth changes the wheel of her car during training at an A.T.S training centre, in Southern England, in 1945. (AFP)
Princess Elizabeth changes the wheel of her car during training at an A.T.S training centre, in Southern England, in 1945. (AFP)
The then-princess’ engagement to Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was announced in July 1947 and they married just four months later on 20 November.
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip pose on the day of their engagement outside Buckingham Palace, London, July 11, 1947. (AFP) Digitally colourised
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip pose on the day of their engagement outside Buckingham Palace, London, July 11, 1947. (AFP) Digitally colourised
Two thousand people, including foreign royals, were invited to the wedding at Westminster Abbey, and it was broadcast on BBC radio to 200 million people throughout the world. The couple received 2000 wedding presents and 10,000 telegrams.
The couple welcome their first child, Prince Charles, on 14 November. Two years later the then-princess gave birth to Princess Anne. In 1960, after she had taken the throne, the Queen had her third child, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward was born in 1962.
The then-princess and Prince Philip were visiting Kenya (en-route to Australia and New Zealand) when they learnt her father, King George VI had died. At just 25-years-old, the princess was now Queen. She quickly returned to Britain, where she was welcomed at the airport by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and other officials. She began her public affairs later in the year, after moving back to Buckingham Palace, and opened Parliament in November.
The Queen’s coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953 and was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In total, 8251 guests attended, and 129 nations and territories were represented. At the Queen’s request, the coronation was broadcast on television and watched by millions around the world.
At the end of 1953, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, embarked on a six-month world tour. They were in New Zealand for six weeks, and the Queen wore her Coronation dress when opening Parliament at the start of 1954.
Official portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II, June 1953. (AFP) Digitally colourised
Official portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II, June 1953. (AFP) Digitally colourised
The Queen marked her Silver Jubilee by visiting 36 counties in the UK and Northern Ireland in just three months. Thousands of people turned out at each stop to greet her, and in London more than one million people lined the streets to watch the procession. The Queen spoke of the jubilee as a “joyous occasion” and a time to unite. Along with her husband, the Queen visited several Commonwealth countries, including New Zealand.
The Queen’s first grandchild, Peter Phillips, was born in November.
Queen Elizabeth II described 1992 as an “annus horribilis”, marked by the separation of two of her children’s marriages, including Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, and her daughter Anne’s divorce. In addition, a fire gutted the royal residence at Windsor Castle.
In 1995, Diana gave a tell-all-interview, and a few weeks later the Queen urged her and Prince Charles to divorce.
Support for the royal family’s lifestyle was eroding, and criticism intensified after Diana’s death in 1997. There was criticism about how the Queen responded to Diana’s death, but that eased when she ordered the Union Jack to be flown at half-staff over Buckingham Palace for the first time and issued a televised statement.
Queen Elizabeth II receives from well wishers floral tributes for Diana, Princess of Wales at St. James's Palace in London on September 5, 1997. (AFP)
Queen Elizabeth II receives from well wishers floral tributes for Diana, Princess of Wales at St. James's Palace in London on September 5, 1997. (AFP)
Also, in 1997, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, with the Queen saying of her husband: “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years.”
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh travelled extensively to mark her Golden Jubilee, visiting Jamaica, New Zealand, Australia and Canada as well as every region of the UK. Parties were held throughout the world (including Antarctica), and the formal events included a church service, procession and concert at Buckingham Palace. One million people turned out at The Mall in London to watch the Jubilee parade, which involved 20,000 people. The Queen held six garden parties at the palace, including one for people born on the day she took the throne.
"I take this opportunity to mention the strength I draw from my own family. The Duke of Edinburgh has made an invaluable contribution to my life over these past fifty years, as he has to so many charities and organisations with which he has been involved."
"We both have a special place in our hearts for our children. I want to express my admiration for The Prince of Wales and for all he has achieved for this country. Our children, and all my family, have given me such love and unstinting help over the years, and especially in recent months."
While it was a year to celebrate, it was also a sad time for the Queen, whose sister Margaret died in February, and her mother died the following month.
A number of events were held to celebrate the Queen’s 80th birthday, including a children’s party at the palace and a 'Service over sixty' reception she hosted for people aged over 60 who had made a significant public service contribution. Another event was held for people born on the same day as her. She received almost 40,000 birthday messages.
Queen Elizabeth II is given flowers by a member of the public as she walks along Windsor High Street as part of her 80th Birthday celebrations. (AFP)
Queen Elizabeth II is given flowers by a member of the public as she walks along Windsor High Street as part of her 80th Birthday celebrations. (AFP)
The Queen led the family at Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s wedding. She celebrated becoming the longest reigning monarch in British history and made a historic trip to Ireland – the first British monarch to visit the country in 100 years.
In 2012, the Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, having reigned for 60 years. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh travelled widely throughout the United Kingdom, while other members of the Royal Family visited all the Commonwealth countries between them. People throughout the UK gathered for ‘big jubilee lunches’, another concert was held outside Buckingham Palace, and the Queen lit the first of 2012 beacons to recognise the occasion.
The Queen became Britain’s longest reigning monarch in September 2015. It was a quiet occasion, with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh travelling to Scotland to open the new Scottish Borders Railway. She referred to the milestone in her speech: “Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones; my own is no exception. But I thank you all, and the many others at home and overseas, for your touching messages of great kindness.”
The Queen’s 90th birthday was marked by numerous celebrations, including a four-day event at Windsor Castle, a national parade and street party. With Prince Charles by her side, the Queen lit the first of 900 beacons – the rest were lit by people around the world.
This was a controversial year for the Queen – The Duke of Edinburgh had to give up his driver’s license after he was involved in a car crash, for which he received a police warning. Her grandsons William and Harry publicly fell out, and her son Prince Andrew was embroiled in a scandal for his links to disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The Queen issued a statement in March saying she was taking allegations of racism raised in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah Winfrey “very seriously”. The Queen’s grandson Harry’s wife Meghan told Oprah that her husband had been asked by an unnamed family member "how dark" their son Archie's skin might be.
On 9 April, the Queen announced to the world that her husband, The Duke of Edinburgh had died. He was 99 year’s old and the longest serving British consort. Her son Prince Andrew told media in the days that followed that the Queen had described his death as a “miracle”, in that he died at home and not in hospital alone due to Covid-19 restrictions, and that his death had left a “huge void” in her life.
In June, the Queen famously cut a cake with a ceremonial sword. Accompanied by her daughter-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and granddaughter-in-law Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen was captured on video telling someone she didn’t need a knife, that “this is something more unusual”.
In October, the Queen was admitted to hospital for one night for what Buckingham Palace said was for “preliminary investigations”. She was advised to rest for several weeks, forcing her to cancel public appearances.
She ended the year telling the world in her Christmas message about the loss she felt without Philip by her side. "That mischievous, inquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him," she said.
On 6 February, the Queen quietly marked her Platinum Jubilee – a milestone only a few other monarchs have ever reached. In a message noting the significant anniversary, she announced her “sincere wish” that Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, be known as Queen Consort when Prince Charles becomes King.
Less than a week later Prince Charles tested positive for Covid-19, then Camilla, and then Buckingham Palace announced the Queen also had the virus.
Days earlier, her son Prince Andrew settled a civil sexual assault case brought against him in the US.
In June the Queen celebrated her platinum jubilee. She didn't attend all events due to health reasons , but did make an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. She also starred in a comedic sketch opposite the character Paddington Bear.
On 6 September outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson travelled to Balmoral Castle in Scotland to hand in his resignation. The 96-year-old Queen appointed Liz Truss as the 15th Prime Minister of her 70 year, 214 day reign.
The Queen at Balmoral Castle on 6 September. (AFP)
The Queen at Balmoral Castle on 6 September. (AFP)
The following day the Queen postponed a meeting with her Privy Council she was due to attend virtually, on advice from doctors to rest.
On 8 September at 12:32pm Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying the Queen's doctors were concerned for her health and recommended she remain under medical supervision. Family members travelled to Balmoral Palace and members of the public gathered outside Buckingham Palace in the rain.
At 6:30pm, 8 September Buckingham Palace announced: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon."
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