Princess Elizabeth was born in London in 1926. She grew up in London with her younger sister and they were educated at home. She was not expected to become queen when she was born, but in 1936, her uncle King Edward VIII gave up the throne and her father became King George the Sixth. As she had no brothers, Elizabeth would become the next ruler.
She was visiting Kenya, the death of King George was announced, and Elizabeth returned
immediately to England. She was crowned at Westminster Abbey on the second of June,
- For the first time ever, the ceremony was shown on TV and watched by millions of
people around the world.
Elizabeth’s role as queen was mostly ceremonial: she opened Parliament, met government
ministers and signed new laws. However, she was not allowed to express her own political opinions. She also represented Great Britain abroad, visiting countries in the Commonwealth and other nations around the world. The Queen was always instantly recognisable in her classic outfit of matching dress, coat, hat and handbag.
Elizabeth loved dogs – corgis were her favourite breed. She also bred and raced horses. Every year at Christmas, the Queen spoke to the nation on TV. In 1992, she described a particularly difficult year, as several of her children’s marriages broke up and a fire destroyed part of her home in Windsor Castle.
Elizabeth celebrated many anniversaries and became the longest serving king or queen in British history. Some people felt that a royal family was too expensive for the country, so after 2012, she reduced spending and received less money from the government. Many people continued to find the royal family interesting, as shown by the popularity of TV programmes about the Queen and her family, such as The Crown.
Philip died in 2021 and the Queen died a year later. Her son became King Charles the Third, aged seventy-three. It felt to many British people like they had lost their grandmother.
Questions
Where was Princess Elizabeth born?
→ She was born in London in 1926. Who did Elizabeth grow up with?
→ She grew up with her younger sister. Why was Elizabeth not expected to become queen when she was born?
→ Because her uncle and father were ahead of her in the line to the throne. What happened in 1936 that changed Elizabeth’s future?
→ King Edward VIII gave up the throne and her father became king. Where was Elizabeth when her father died?
→ She was visiting Kenya. When was Elizabeth crowned queen?
→ She was crowned on the second of June, 1953. What was special about her coronation ceremony?
→ It was shown on TV for the first time and watched by millions of people. What were some of the Queen’s duties?
→ She opened Parliament, met government ministers and signed new laws. What animals did Elizabeth love?
→ She loved dogs, especially corgis, and also horses. Who became king after Queen Elizabeth died?
→ Her son became King Charles the Third.