Facts About Queen Elizabeth II: Exploring the Life of the Late Monarch and Her Family

Let's explore the life of the late British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, a woman who saw it all! Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom. In a monarchy, a king or queen is the Head of State.

This means Queen Elizabeth II was the ruler of Britain; this includes England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Did you get hooked on 'The Crown'? Well, now's your chance to uncover the real story, and make no mistakes, the actual family's story is no less intriguing.

Queen Elizabeth II, the lady with the regal smile, was the epitome of grace and dignity. Her reign, one of the longest in history, was marked by incredible changes, both in the world and the monarchy.

So, whether you're a history buff or just curious about the folks who live in that big fancy house across the pond, this glimpse into the life of Queen Elizabeth II and her family is sure to delight and inspire.

Queen Elizabeth's Early Life: How She Became Her Royal Highness

Picture a young girl, not initially destined to be a queen, living a relatively quiet life filled with family, pets, and private education. This is the early life of Queen Elizabeth II, a chapter often overshadowed by her later reign. Read these Queen Elizabeth II facts to learn about the longest-reigning monarch!

• Queen Elizabeth II, christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, was born in 1926.
• In her early years, Princess Elizabeth, along with Princess Margaret, remained largely away from public attention. They were homeschooled by Marion Crawford, affectionately known as Crawfie, and received education from Eton College professors.
• Queen Elizabeth II developed an affinity for studying constitutional history and law. Their mother initially relied on Crawford for their education, but the family distanced themselves from her later when she published a book about the princesses' childhood.
• Throughout her early life, Princess Elizabeth was a lover of animals. One of the lesser-known facts about Queen Elizabeth is that she even named a dog breed. When her Corgi mated with the Dachshund that Princess Margaret had, Queen Elizabeth named the breed Dorgi.
• Queen Elizabeth II was the first royal female to be part of the military full-time. Queen Elizabeth joined the Auxillary Territorial Service, or ATS, in 1945 when she was just 18.
• When the Second World War broke out, Princess Elizabeth pleaded with her father to join the military. Her requests were denied but the 14-year-old still went on to speak to the children of the nation as a part of the royal family, asking them to do their roles at home while the people fought for their land.

Rising To Royal Status

The ascension to power is often a complex interplay of historical events, royal lineage, and individual circumstances. This exploration delves into some of the events that propelled Queen Elizabeth II into a position of unparalleled influence and leadership.

• Princess Elizabeth's life took a turn when she met her would-be husband, Prince Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh. She and Prince Philip were third cousins. This essentially means that they shared the same great-great-grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
• Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress was designed by British couturier Sir Norman Hartnell and reflected the post-World War II era, characterized by rationing and austerity. Queen Elizabeth saved up clothing coupons to pay for the materials used in her dress with the government allowing her 200 extra ration coupons. The dress itself was made from ivory silk satin and featured intricate floral embroidery inspired by the floral emblems of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
• Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip got married in Westminster Abbey in 1947. She avoided pictures at the royal wedding since she was always conscious of cameras. She even did not want her coronation ceremony to be televised but there was no way that it could be avoided since it was such a monumental event.
• Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were in Kenya when the news of her father's death reached her. Her father dying meant then Princess Elizabeth became Queen; hence, she left England as a princess and returned as the queen. Her official coronation took place in June of the following year, and she became known as Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Family

These interesting facts are steeped in tradition, adorned in splendor, and filled with intrigue. At the center of it all stands Queen Elizabeth II. But who surrounds her? From stately fathers and loving mothers to playful grandchildren, there's a world of relationships and dynamics to explore.

• After her marriage, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip lived at the Clarence House for many years until the death of King George VI. It was only after her coronation as the queen that she finally came back to Buckingham Palace. Meanwhile, before her coronation, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip engaged themselves in many tours around the world.
• Queen Elizabeth II had four children: Prince Charles (now King Charles III), Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and Princess Anne.
• King Charles, formerly known as the Prince of Wales, got married to Princess Diana and had both Prince Harry and William. After their separation, he went on to marry Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Princess Anne has two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall. Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, also has two children with his wife Sophie.
• Prince William's wedding in the year 2011 was a royal affair and was televised all around the world. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, married Catherine Middleton. Together, the couple has three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
• Her grandson Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, married Meghan Markle. Although it must also be noted that the couple publicly renounced their royal status recently. Together, the couple have two children, Lilibet and Archie Harrison.
• Although Queen Elizabeth's residence was Buckingham Palace, her most cherished residence was Balmoral Castle. Situated in the picturesque Scottish Highlands, it served as a retreat for the monarch and her family, offering a more relaxed and tranquil environment. Balmoral holds sentimental value and is where the Queen often spent her summers, engaging in activities like walking and fishing.

What Are Some Key Moments That Defined The Reign of Queen Elizabeth II?

Queen Elizabeth II's reign has been marked by significant and historical events, reflecting both the changes in British society and the enduring traditions of the monarchy. Here are some key moments:

• Upon her father's death, Elizabeth became queen on February 6, 1952. Her coronation ceremony took place on June 2, 1953, broadcasted on television for the first time, allowing millions to witness the event.
• Many former British colonies gained independence, symbolizing the end of the British Empire. Queen Elizabeth played a vital role in transforming the British Commonwealth into a free association of equal members.
• Marking her 25th year on the throne, celebrations across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth were held, reflecting her popularity and the respect she commanded.
• Queen Elizabeth II embraced technological changes, sending her first email in 1976 and launching the first royal website in 1997.
• Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years on the throne, in 2002. The celebration included an extensive tour of the UK and the Commonwealth, where she and Prince Philip met with citizens and attended various special events. The festivities culminated in a grand concert held at Buckingham Palace, featuring performances by well-known artists including Paul McCartney.
• The appointment of the first female Black Rod, responsible for maintaining the buildings, services, and security of the Palace of Westminster, marked a significant step in modernizing royal traditions.
• The Queen was a leader during crises. She addressed the British people during the COVID-19 pandemic and this was seen by the nation as unifying and comforting.
• The death of Prince Philip, the Queen's husband of 73 years, marked the end of an era and symbolized significant personal loss for the monarch.

Fun Facts about Queen Elizabeth II

Dive into the world of royalty with these intriguing trivia facts about Queen Elizabeth II! Whether you're a history buff or just want to know more about the life behind the crown, check out these utterly fascinating facts about the late British monarch.

• The Imperial State Crown was worn by Elizabeth II for 70 years! She held the record for being the longest-reigning British monarch, the title previously belonged to Queen Victoria.
• One of the rather interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth II is that she celebrates two birthdays. She was born on April 21, 1926, but since the days were gloomy around that time of the year, her birthday was officially celebrated on a Saturday in late May or early June - so that the queen and her friends could enjoy the nice weather as well!
• Queen Elizabeth II's birth name was Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, after the names of her mother, Elizabeth; her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra; and her paternal grandmother, Queen Mary.
• During her reign, she witnessed significant historical events including the end of World War II, the Cold War, and the dissolution of the British Empire.
• She saw multiple Prime Ministers serve under her, from Winston Churchill to Theresa May and Boris Johnson.
• Under her reign, there were notable royal weddings, including those of King Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
• She celebrated her Golden Jubilee on the throne in the year 2002, although the celebrations were dimmed by the death of Elizabeth's mother. Her Sapphire Jubilee took place in 2017 and her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
• One of the regal facts about Queen Elizabeth is that she does not require a driver's license. This is because all the licenses were issued in the name of the Queen herself and she owned many luxurious cars with her own private drivers.
• The Royal Naval College, also known as the Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), is the training establishment for officers in the British Royal Navy. It's located in Dartmouth, Devon, England. While Queen Elizabeth II herself did not attend the college as a cadet, her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, did.
• Queen Elizabeth II does not need a passport either. Passports in the United Kingdom were issued in her name as well and could go anywhere without needing to show any paperwork.
• Queen Elizabeth II had many different royal duties; she even participated in a comedic sketch featuring James Bond (portrayed by actor Daniel Craig) during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics! In the sketch, the Queen appeared interacting with James Bond and even appeared to parachute into the stadium alongside him. This unexpected and humorous cameo showcased the Queen's willingness to embrace her public image in a lighthearted manner and became a memorable moment of the event.
• The Queen's association with corgis dates back to her childhood when her family acquired a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Dookie. She owned over 30 corgis during her reign. Some of her corgis were direct descendants of her first corgi, Susan, which she received as a gift on her 18th birthday.
• Being part of the royal family might sound like a fairy tale, but it comes with real dangers. Believe it or not, Queen Elizabeth II's life was threatened more than once! One time, a shot was fired at her during a ceremony near Buckingham Palace. Another time, someone actually made it into her bedroom by squeezing through barbed wires and drain pipes at Buckingham Palace. Thankfully, she was unharmed and security took care of the situation.

And there you have it – a captivating peek into the life of Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II! From an unexpected path to the throne to her love for Corgis, her story is as rich as it is inspiring.

While it's easy to get lost in the glamour and mystique of royal life, Elizabeth's journey is a reminder that even queens have hobbies, passions, and ordinary family dynamics. Why not dive a little deeper and explore more about British history or even your family's ancestry?

You never know what fascinating stories and connections you might uncover. Embrace the spirit of exploration – who knows, you might discover a bit of royalty in your own life.