History & Lives of the British Royals Dnes slaví Její Veličenstvo královna Alžběta II. narozeniny
On a Day Like Today ~ April 21, 1926. HRH Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary of York, currently known as HM Queen Elizabeth II, was born
Princess Elizabeth was born in London as the first child and daughter of HRH Prince Albert, The Duke of York, later HM King George VI and his wife HRH Elizabeth, The Duchess of York, later HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Consort & HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. She was delivered by Caesarean section at her maternal grandfather's London house: 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair during the reign of her paternal grandfather HM King George V.
Interestingly enough, as she was never expected to accede to the British Throne her birth brought no fanfare, no official Buckingham Palace announcement (no easel) and only had a slight mention in the newspapers. She was, and still is, called "Lilibet" by her close family which is what she called herself as a child apparently unable to fully pronounce Elizabeth. She was baptized by the Archbishop of York in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace in May 1926. She was named Elizabeth after her mother; Alexandra after her paternal great grandmother; and Mary after her paternal grandmother.
It is said that she was cherished by her grandfather George V, whom she called "Grandpa England", and during his serious illness in 1929 her regular visits were credited in the popular press and by later biographers with raising his spirits and aiding his recovery. Is has also been reported that in 1935 HM King George V said "I pray to God my eldest son will never marry and have children, and that nothing will come between Bertie and Lilibet and the throne."
The young Princess was educated at home under the supervision of her mother and her governess, Marion Crawford. She also received private tutelage in constitutional history from Henry Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton College. Marion Crawford's book, entitled The Little Princesses, describe the young Princess as loving horses, dogs and orderliness and having an attitude of responsibility. Winston Churchill described Elizabeth when she was two as "a character. She has an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant." Her cousin Margaret Rhodes described her as "a jolly little girl, but fundamentally sensible and well-behaved".
Upon the death of her grandfather in 1936 her uncle succeeded to the throne as HM King Edward VIII and she became second in line to the throne, after her father. Later that year Edward VIII abdicated and her father acceded to the throne as HM King George VI thus the young Princess Elizabeth became heir presumptive.
She married HRH Sir Philip Mountbatten, previously known as HRH Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, in November 1947. Her new husband was granted the Title of Duke of Edinburgh upon the marriage thus she became known as HRH Princess Elizabeth, The Duchess of Edinburgh. The marriage produced 4 children, HRH Charles, The Prince of Wales, HRH Anne, The Princess Royal, HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York and HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex. Sadly, HM widowed in April 2021 after 73 years of marriage.
Upon the death of her father in February 1952 she acceded to the British Throne as HM Queen Elizabeth II and was crowned at Westminster Abbey in June 1953. She has reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes, such as devolution in the United Kingdom, Canadian patriation, and the decolonization of Africa. Between 1956 and 1992, the number of her realms varied as territories gained independence, and as realms, including South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (renamed Sri Lanka), became republics. Her many historic visits and meetings include a state visit to the Republic of Ireland and visits to or from five popes.
HM Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to reach a Sapphire Jubilee. She is the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch. She is the longest-serving female head of state in world history, and the world's oldest living monarch, longest-reigning current monarch, and oldest and longest-serving current head of state.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOUR MAJESTY!
Long Live The Queen!
Shared from History & Lives of the British Royals
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