Elizabeth II
Born on 21st of April 1926
British hero of the week May 11th 2011
Queen Elizabeth II was born on the 21st April 1926, in Mayfair, London, she was the eldest daughter of her father Albert (Duke of York) and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She had an interesting childhood which saw the start of the second World War, at which time both Elizabeth and her sister Margaret were evacuated to Windsor Castle, in 1945 Elizabeth became a member of the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service where she trained as a driver.
She fell in love with Phillip Mountbatten and they married on the 20th November 1947, and during their early married life they lived in Malta whilst he was serving in the Royal Navy. Her father Albert Duke of York found himself succeeding his brother King Edward VIII when he decided to abdicate because he wished to marry the divorced American Wallis Simpson. Albert ascended to the throne in 1936 as King George VI , whereupon she became heiress presumptive.
Her father's health declined and she took over many royal duties in 1951, she visited many countries including Italy, Malta, and Greece. It was whilst she and Philip were on a tour of Australia and new Zealand, that she heard of the king's death when they were in Kenya. They returned to England, and her Coronation took place on the 2nd June 1953, it was televised throughout the Commonwealth. They lived in Buckingham Palace, Elizabeth and Phillip had four children, Charles Prince of Wales, who is heir apparent, Anne Princess Royal, Prince Andrew Duke of York, and Prince Edward Earl Of Wessex.
Throughout her reign, she has shown a strong sense of duty, carrying out an exhausting schedule with dignity, and has lifted the monarchy in the eyes of her subjects. Although a nervous chapter evolved after the death of Diana, Prince Charles' first wife, who was known affectionately as the Peoples princess and the Queen Of Hearts, Elizabeth's subjects felt that the royal establishment were cold, and lacking in true mourning. The Queen did remedy this by bowing her head when Diana's coffin passed by during her funeral, as a sign of respect, and addressing the Nation.
Queen Elizabeth's speeches on Christmas Day have almost become a National Institution, this is a speech broadcast both on Radio and Television whereby the Queen addresses her subjects. She also meets weekly with her Prime Ministers, of which she has seen eleven. Throughout her reign there has been many changes, she has mourned the loss of her mother the Queen Mother, and the death of her sister Princess Margaret who are buried at St Georges Chapel, Windsor, although she has also celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977 which saw huge celebrations, and a mass of street parties, her Golden jubilee was also celebrated in 2002, she has also seen the cessation of an Empire and the growth of a Commonwealth. She is Queen of the United kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Bahamas, Solomon Islands, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Tuvalu, Belize, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kits and Nevis, which collectively is know as the Commonwealth Realms. Her love of Scotland, Horses, and Corgis show a softer side of The Queen Elizabeth who, as a child was affectionately called Lillibet.
Links:
http://www.royal.gov.uk Officlal Royal Site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/elizabeth_ii_queen BBC profile
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1 Response to Elizabeth II
From Muhammad Kamran on 9th July 2011
It was the glorious day when she was engaged, because of that day her family growth. I love Queen Elizabeth, and i wish to see her with my eyes. Love You Madam Elizabeth
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