Elizabeth II

Timeline of Elizabeth II, born 21 April 1926. She is the Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms. View the complete timeline of her life.

21 April 1926

The Birth of Elizabeth II

The Duke and Duchess of York welcomed Elizabeth Alexandra Mary to the world on April 21, 1926. The couple later become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

20 January 1936

George V, Elizabeth’s Grandfather Dies

Elizabeth lost her grandfather, King George V on January 20, 1936. King George’s first son assumed the throne as King Edward VIII; however, he abdicated in less than a year. Elizabeth’s father then became the King as King George VI. This made Elizabeth first in line to the throne.

1 March 1945

Princess Elizabeth Becomes a Subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service

Princess Elizabeth was selected to a Subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. This is the equivalent of a second lieutenant. She later achieved the rank of Junior Commander. Princess Elizabeth learned how to drive and became a mechanic in the army. She was now capable of driving a military truck.

20 November 1947

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten Gets Married

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten decided to get married on November 20, 1947. Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten was the son of Prince Andrew of Greece. He was a great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria.

15 August 1950

Prince Charles is Born

Princess Elizabeth welcomed her first daughter, Princess Anne on August 15, 1950.

6 February 1952

Princess Elizabeth’s Father, King George VI Dies

On February 6, 1952, King George VI died. After his death, Elizabeth became the Queen. This happened when Elizabeth was 25 years old. The news came to her while she was visiting Kenya. The news led her to cut her tour short and return home as Queen. 

2 June 1953

The Beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth was coronated on June 2, 1953. The occasion marked the first time that television cameras were permitted inside Westminster Abbey for a state function. This led to a boom in the sales of television sets in the weeks that led up to the event.

1 December 1953

The Queen’s Tour of the Commonwealth Countries

Queen Elizabeth II embarked on a tour of the commonwealth countries with the Duke of Edinburgh (her husband).

1 May 1957

The Queen Addresses the UN in New York

The Queen travels to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly. She also visited Ottawa and opens Parliament on the same tour.

19 February 1960

Prince Andrew is Born - February 19, 1960

The Queen welcomed her third child, Prince Edward on February 19, 1960.

10 March 1964

Prince Edward is Born

The Queen gave birth to Prince Edward on March 10, 1964. He was the fourth and final child of Queen Elizabeth II.

1 July 1969

Charles Declared as Prince of Wales

On July 1, 1969, Charles is announced as the Prince of Wales and heir to the throne.

6 February 1977

Queen Elizabeth II Celebrates Silver Jubilee

The Queen celebrated 25 years on the throne in 1977. February 6, 1977 was the day it was celebrated in church services across the United Kingdom. The Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II was celebrated throughout the rest of that month.

29 July 1981

Prince Charles Gets Married to Lady Diana Spencer

The wedding ceremony o Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer happened on July 29, 1981. The ceremony was widely televised. Queen II attended the event as the mother of the groom.

28 May 1982

The Pope Visits the United Kingdom

For the first time in almost five centuries, the Pope visited England. In her capacity as the head of the Church of England, Queen Elizabeth II welcomes the Pope.

1 January 1992

The Queen’s “Annus Horribilus”

The year was marked “annus horribilus” because of several unfortunate events that took place in 1992. The Queen’s son Prince Andrew and his wife got separated, Princess Anne and her husband got divorced, Prince Charles separated from Diana, and a large section of Windsor Castles was destroyed by fire.

6 February 2002

The Queen Celebrated Her Golden Jubilee

On February 6, 2002, the Queen and the entire United Kingdom celebrated her reign as queen for 50 years. Queen Elizabeth also took the opportunity to thank her people for their loyalty to the throne.

29 April 2011

Prince William Gets Married

Queen Elizabeth II attended the marriage of Prince William, her grandson, to Catherine Middleton. The event was broadcasted around the world. The wedding was watched by millions.

9 September 2015

The Queen became the Longest Reigning British Monarch

On September 9, 2015, Queen Elizabeth II surpassed the length of Queen Victoria. She became the longest-reigning British monarch. 

1 May 2018

The Queen’s Undergoes Surgery

On May of 2018, the Queen had cataract surgery.

23 April 2019

Queen Elizabeth II Becomes the Oldest Reigning Monarch

After the passing of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, the Queen became the oldest reigning monarch in the world. 

19 December 2019

The Queen Opens Parliament

The Queen opened Parliament with what is referred to as the Queen’s Speech. Prince Charles accompanied the Queen at this event. The Queen chose not to wear the heavy ceremonial cape or crown for the first time in her reign. 

8 January 2020

Harry and Meghan Steps Back from Royal Duties

The formal announcement of Harry and Meghan’s decision to step away from Royal duties was made on January 8, 2020. This decision meant that the couple would no longer represent the Queen.

19 March 2020

The Queen Leaves London For Windsor Castle

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip relocated to Windsor Castle. 

5 April 2020

The Queen’s Call for Unity

The Queen made a broadcast to the British Commonwealth. In this broadcast, the queen called for unity as they tackle the coronavirus pandemic. 

28 September 2020

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