Elizabeth II

Full name

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary^[1]

Reign

Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms, 6 February 1952 to 8 September 2022^[1]

Successor

Charles III^[1][4]

Length of reign

70 years and 214 days^[1]

Realms at death

15^[1]

Sovereign states reigned over in her lifetime

32^[1]

Coronation

1953^[1]

Prime ministers advised

more than 170^[1]

US presidents met

14^[1]

Popes met

5^[1]

Early life

Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, during the reign of her paternal grandfather, King George V.^[1] As the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother), she held a place in the line of succession, and when her father acceded to the throne, the ten-year-old Princess Elizabeth became heir presumptive.^[1]

Elizabeth was educated privately at home.^[1] During the Second World War she served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and in November 1947 she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark.^[1]

Reign

Elizabeth became queen on 6 February 1952, on the death of her father.^[1] She acceded as monarch of seven independent Commonwealth countries and as head of the Commonwealth, and her coronation took place in 1953.^[1]

1:26 The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: A Life of Service The Royal Family's film of her life, from her pledge "Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust".

Over her reign she was advised by more than 170 prime ministers across her realms, and she met fourteen US presidents and five popes.^[1] Her state visits included China in 1986, Russia in 1994 and the Republic of Ireland in 2011.^[1]

Her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British monarch.^[1] At her death she was queen of 15 realms, and over her lifetime she had been queen regnant of 32 sovereign states.^[1] Her reign spanned major political change, including the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution within the United Kingdom, the decolonization of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession to and withdrawal from the European Communities.^[1]

Jubilees and anniversaries

Her Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum jubilees were celebrated during her reign.^[1] She called 1992 her annus horribilis.^[1]

Death and funeral

Elizabeth died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on 8 September 2022.^[1][4] Her eldest son succeeded her as King Charles III.^[1][4]

Her state funeral was held at Westminster Abbey on 19 September 2022.^[1][3]

0:55 The State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II The Royal Family Channel's film of the state funeral, from inside Westminster Abbey.

About 2,000 guests attended the state funeral, according to The Royal Family Channel on YouTube.^[3]

1. 1936-12-11 According to Wikipedia contributors, Elizabeth became heir presumptive on her father's accession.^[1]
2. 1945 According to Wikipedia contributors, she served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War.^[1]
3. 1947-11-20 According to Wikipedia contributors, she married Philip Mountbatten.^[1]
4. 1952-02-06 According to Wikipedia contributors, she succeeded to the throne as Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms, and became head of the Commonwealth.^[1]
5. 1986 State visit to China.^[1]
6. 1992 Described the year as her annus horribilis.^[1]
7. 1994 State visit to Russia.^[1]
8. 2011 State visit to the Republic of Ireland.^[1]
9. 2022-09-19 State funeral at Westminster Abbey.^[1][3]