Elizabeth II


A Princess was born
Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London on 21 April 1926, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York.
At the age of 12, having already distinguished herself as a gifted and eager horsewoman, Princess Elizabeth confided to her teacher that, had she not been born to be Queen, she would “like to be a lady living in the country with lots of horses and dogs.
After the Second World War Princess Elizabeth decided it was time to show that she was ready to assume the full weight of her Royal responsibilities.

Realising the need to boost morale, she became patron of organisations whose work she valued.

Already President of charities such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children in Hackney, east London, and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, she embarked on a series of national visits with the King and Queen.

In 1947, Princess Elizabeth made her first official overseas visit to South Africa.

At the age of 25, when she was proclaimed Queen


Marriage and coronation
The Princess fell in love with Prince Phillip of Greece before the end of the war years.

Her father, George VI, although he liked Phillip, doubted whether his daughter's affections would remain fixed on the first young man she had met.

Elizabeth married Phillip on 20th November, 1947, at Westminster Abbey.
During their marriage they have had four Children.

* Prince Charles, now the Prince of Wales and Heir apparent to the throne, was born in 1948.
* Princess Anne, now the Princess Royal, was born in 1950
* After her accession to the throne, Prince Andrew, now the Duke of York, was born in 1960.
* Prince Edward, was born in 1964
Elizabeth and Phillip were on tour in a remote part of Kenya when the Princess heard of the death of her father and her own consequent accession to the throne.

She was proclaimed Queen on the 8th of February, 1952, she was then aged twenty-five.


Birthday’s celebration and residences

Even if the Queen was born on April 21, 1926 in London, her birthday is officially celebrated in Britain on the 3rd Saturday of June each year.

In Canada the Queen's birthday is traditionally celebrated on the Victoria Day holiday in May.
Buckingham Palace in London, England, Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland are her official residences.
She also has private residences: Sandringham in Norfolk, England and Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Balmoral Castle


Elizabeth as Queen
In the United Kingdom her official title is: "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith."
In Canada, where the Queen is the Head of State, her official title is "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith."
In common practice Queen Elizabeth II is referred to simply as "The Queen", to differentiate her from her mother, who is called "Queen Elizabeth".


During her reign, she has made many official visits abroad and has travelled all over Britain.
She participates in ceremonies such as the Opening of Parliament, and plays a role in virtually every branch of government.
For instance, she is the head of the armed forces, and only she can declare war, although she cannot exercise this power without the advice of her ministers.
She is kept closely informed of the government's activities, meets regularly with the prime minister and other officials, and acts as host to visiting heads of state.

She is patron or president of over 700 organizations.

In 2000 she carried out 531 official engagements.
Now in her late 70s, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II still works full-time at the job she has held for more than 50 years.
Her presence in the Millennium Dome, Britain’s symbol of hope for the next thousand years, demonstrated, Queen Elizabeth II is that rarest of Royals: a truly modern Monarch of her own design.
Some commentators have suggested that she consider retirement, but it seems unlikely that the queen will ever abdicate.
Most observers believe she will faithfully serve her country for as long as she lives.

God save the Queen !