Chronology of the life of Queen Elizabeth II
1926-1940: Early Life
- 1926: Born on April 21 in Mayfair, London, to the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
- 1930: Her sister Princess Margaret was born.
- 1936: Her grandfather, King George V, died, and her uncle ascended the throne as Edward VIII. Later the same year, Edward abdicated, and Elizabeth’s father became King George VI, making her the heir presumptive.
1940-1952: War Years and Marriage
- 1940-1945: During World War II, Elizabeth and her sister stayed at Windsor Castle for safety. Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast in 1940, addressing other children who had been evacuated from cities.
- 1947: Married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, on November 20. They received the titles of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
- 1948: Gave birth to her first child, Prince Charles.
- 1950: Gave birth to her second child, Princess Anne.
1952-1970: Early Reign
- 1952: Elizabeth became queen on February 6 after the death of her father, King George VI. Her coronation was on June 2, 1953.
- 1950s-1960s: Oversaw a period of decolonization in Africa and the Caribbean. Countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados gained independence.
- 1960: Gave birth to her third child, Prince Andrew.
- 1964: Gave birth to her fourth child, Prince Edward.
1970-1990: Middle Years of Reign
- 1977: Celebrated her Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years on the throne.
- 1981: Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer.
- 1982-1983: Britain engaged in the Falklands War. Elizabeth’s reign saw continued modernization of the monarchy and her increased visibility on the world stage.
1990-2000: Later Years of Reign
- 1992: Referred to by the Queen as the “Annus Horribilis” due to various family scandals and the Windsor Castle fire.
- 1997: Death of Princess Diana, which was a significant moment in her reign, with public scrutiny over the royal family’s response.
- 2002: Celebrated her Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years as queen.
2000-2020: Final Decades and Legacy
- 2011: Prince William married Catherine Middleton.
- 2012: Celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years on the throne.
- 2016: Celebrated her 90th birthday with multiple events and significant national celebrations.
- 2017: Prince Philip retired from public duties.
- 2020: Addressed the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering support and solidarity.
2022:
- February: Marked her Platinum Jubilee, celebrating 70 years on the throne, the first British monarch to reach this milestone.
- September 8: Queen Elizabeth II passed away at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, marking the end of an era.
Queen Elizabeth II’s reign was marked by a steadfast presence and significant transformations in the monarchy, reflecting changes in British society and the wider world. Her legacy is characterized by her enduring commitment to duty and service, deeply impacting the Commonwealth and leaving a lasting influence on the monarchy.
