Queen Elizabeth II

Biography

The reigning Queen of England is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, in the whole world known as Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth was born in London, 17 Bruton Street at 2.40am on April 21 of the year 1926. Her father was Prince Albert who had the office of Duke of York, but he was later known as King George VI and her mother was Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

As the oldest daughter of two, her only younger sister was Princess Margaret Rose, she became the Head of State of the United Kingdom and 15 other realms at the young age of 25 on February the sixth of the year 1952.

In 1947 on the 20th of November she married the Duke of Edinburgh, Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey. Together  with Philip Mountbatten, Queen Elizabeth has four children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

The public never thought of Elizabeth ever becoming the reigning Queen because her father Prince Albert was the second son of King George V. It was only until  King Edward VIII, her uncle, denied the throne to marry the American Wallis Simpson, that Elizabeth was in the direct line of becoming queen. Before that moment Elizabeth had lived a pretty normal life. She had been given private education together with her sister and enjoyed horse riding and playing with the family dogs.

Elizabeth hasn’t been shy to put herself between her people for her people. During WOII Elizabeth, at that moment only fourteen years old, spoke over the radio to the evacuated children who had to leave their families : ‘in the end, all will be well for God will care for us and give us victory and peace.’ After this act she soon started to fulfill more public duties. Still in WOII she worked with the Auxiliary Territorial Service so to be able to help in the war. Just like any other British women she learned to drive as an expert and learned to work with machinery. 

Although Elizabeth is known to hold traditions, she has also brought the monarchy to the modern age through dropping a couple of the formalities and opening a couple of locations and riches to the public.

She was furthermore the first monarch who dared since 1920 to visit the Republic of Ireland and is known  as being the Head of the State who travels the most and often to her domains.

Due to the economic situation of the last years in Britain she agreed to annul the Civil List. This is a funding system of the monarchy fueled by the public. 

In her 61 years of reigning Elizabeth has received her share of criticism. The most of the criticism was not caused by what she did, but by what her children and husband did. The criticism towards her peaked after the death of her daughter-in-law people’s Princess Diana, because of her silent treatment to the death towards the public for almost a week. After this silent treatment she gave a live broadcast which the public appreciated.