Queen Elizabeth II

Who is Queen Elizabeth II?

Answer: Queen Elizabeth II, born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, was the sovereign monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth countries. She was widely seen as a British icon and remained popular despite high-profile scandals that plagued the royal family over the past few decades. Queen Elizabeth was the eldest child of King George VI, who became monarch in 1936 after his brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne. As a young woman, Elizabeth served in the British Auxiliary Territorial Service.

When did Queen Elizabeth II become Queen of the United Kingdom?

Answer: During the final years of King George VI’s life, he became seriously ill with smoking-related illnesses. Elizabeth took on many of his royal duties alongside her husband, including a visit to the United States. The king died in February 1952 of coronary thrombosis. Elizabeth was officially crowned on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey at the age of 25.

Who is the longest-reigning British monarch?

Answer: Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history and the second-longest-reigning monarch in world history, behind France’s King Louis XIV.

Who was Queen Elizabeth II's husband, Philip Mountbatten?

Answer: On June 10, 1921, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born, the only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg, as well as a great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria. Philip’s deep royal roots placed him in the line of succession to several European thrones. He was a former naval officer and a keen polo player.

Queen Elizabeth II was married to Philip Mountbatten from 1947 until his death in April 2021. Their 73-year marriage produced four children: King Charles III, former Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Anne, Princess Royal.

At the time of his death, Philip’s full title was His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, Knight of the Garter, Knight of the Thistle, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, Companion of the Order of Australia, Companion of the Queen’s Service Order and Privy Counsellor. He is the longest-serving royal consort in British history.

What were Queen Elizabeth II’s royal duties?

Answer: Her reign as a constitutional monarch oversaw many political reforms and developments in the United Kingdom, including the end of British imperial control in Africa, uprisings in Northern Ireland, the Cold War and the U.K.’s withdrawal from the European Union.

She visited and hosted many heads of state and religious leaders from around the world, including five popes. She celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Beyond traditional ceremonial duties, Queen Elizabeth was known to take an active interest in the affairs of the British government and met regularly with the country’s prime minister.

When did Queen Elizabeth II pass away?

Answer: Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96 on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at her Balmoral Castle estate in Scotland. She ascended to the throne at age 25 in 1952 and was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, serving as the beloved face of her country and a source of strength for seven decades.