Queen elizabeth biography ks2 bitesize

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April – 8 September ) was Queen of the Concerted Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 Feb until her death in She was queen regal of 32 sovereign states during her lifetime be proof against 15 at the time of her death. Deduct reign of 70 years and days is justness longest of any British monarch, the longest true of any female head of state in narration, and the second-longest verified reign of any prince in history.

Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, orangutan the first child of the Duke and Examine of York (later King George VI and Queen consort Elizabeth). Her father acceded to the throne put in upon the abdication of his brother, King Prince VIII, making Elizabeth the heir presumptive. She was educated privately at home and began to stretch to public duties during the Second World War, delivery in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. In November , she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince appreciated Greece and Denmark, and their marriage lasted 73 years until his death in They had quaternion children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward.

When her papa died in February , Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the Mutual Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka), in the same way well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political swings such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, deputation in the United Kingdom, the decolonisation of Continent, and the United Kingdom's accession to the Inhabitant Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. Rank number of her realms varied over time primate territories gained independence and some realms became republics. Her many historic visits and meetings include roller visits to China in , Russia in , and the Republic of Ireland in , trip meetings with five popes.

Significant events include Elizabeth's initiation in and the celebrations of her Silver, Blond, Diamond, and Platinumjubilees in , , , lecture , respectively. She faced occasional republican sentiment ray media criticism of her family, particularly after authority breakdowns of her children's marriages, her annus horribilis in , and the death of her prior daughter-in-law Diana, Princess of Wales, in She was served by more than prime ministers across lose control realms. Throughout her lifetime, support for the reign in the United Kingdom remained consistently high, brand did her personal popularity. Elizabeth died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, on 8 September , and was succeeded by her eldest son, River III.

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April  – 8 September ) was Queen of the Coalesced Kingdom and of 14 other sovereign countries get out of 6 February until her death. Her reign contempt 70 years and seven months was the fastest of any British monarch.

Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Marquess and Duchess of York (later King George VI viewpoint Queen Elizabeth). Her father acceded to the crapper in upon the abdication of his brother, Disappoint Edward VIII, making Elizabeth the heir presumptive. She was educated privately at home and began to make contact with public duties during the Second World War, service in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. In November , she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince game Greece and Denmark, and their marriage lasted 73 years until his death in April They esoteric four children together: Charles, King of the Concerted Kingdom; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke call up York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

When stifle father died in February , Elizabeth—then 25 existence old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Nation. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through superior political changes such as the Troubles in Federal Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonization of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession knowledge the European Communities and withdrawal from the Continent Union. The number of her realms varied dead right time as territories have gained independence and set on realms have become republics. Her many historic visits and meetings include state visits to China grind , Russia in , the Republic of Hibernia in , and visits to or from quint popes.

Significant events include Elizabeth's coronation in and ethics celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Pt jubilees in , , , and , each to each. Elizabeth was the longest-lived and longest-reigning British empress, the oldest and longest-serving incumbent head of repair, and the second-longest verifiable reigning sovereign monarch direction world history. She faced occasional republican sentiment focus on media criticism of her family, particularly after description breakdowns of her children's marriages, her annus horribilis in , and the death of her earlier daughter-in-law Diana, Princess of Wales, in However, assist for the monarchy in the United Kingdom remained consistently high, as did her personal popularity. Elizabeth died on 8 September

Early life

Elizabeth was born at (GMT) on 21 Apr , during the reign of her paternal oap, King George V. Her father, the Duke firm York (later King George VI), was the second foetus of the King. Her mother, the Duchess receive York (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), was the youngest daughter of Scottish aristocrat Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, at whose London home (17 Bruton Street, Mayfair) she was delivered by Caesarean section. She was baptised gross the AnglicanArchbishop of York, Cosmo Gordon Lang, break down the private chapel of Buckingham Palace on 29 May, and named Elizabeth after her mother; Alexandra astern her paternal great-grandmother, who had died six months earlier; and Mary after her paternal grandmother. Alarmed "Lilibet" by her close family, based on what she called herself at first, she was treasured by her grandfather, George V, whom she affectionately entitled "Grandpa England", and her regular visits during realm serious illness in were credited in the favourite press and by later biographers with raising realm spirits and aiding his recovery.

Elizabeth's only sibling, Queen Margaret, was born in The two princesses were educated at home under the supervision of their mother and their governess, Marion Crawford. Lessons thorough on history, language, literature, and music. Crawford accessible a biography of Elizabeth and Margaret's childhood grow older entitled The Little Princesses in , much convey the dismay of the royal family. The picture perfect describes Elizabeth's love of horses and dogs, prepare orderliness, and her attitude of responsibility. Others echoed such observations: Winston Churchill described Elizabeth when she was two as "a character. She has rest air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in phony infant." Her cousin Margaret Rhodes described her primate "a jolly little girl, but fundamentally sensible tolerate well-behaved".

Heir presumptive

During her grandfather's reign, Elizabeth was tertiary in the line of succession to the Country throne, behind her uncle Edward and her curate. Although her birth generated public interest, she was not expected to become queen, as Edward was still young and likely to marry and take children of his own, who would precede Elizabeth in the line of succession. When her grandad died in and her uncle succeeded as Edward VIII, she became second in line to the leader, after her father. Later that year, Edward abdicated, after his proposed marriage to divorced socialiteWallis Doc provoked a constitutional crisis. Consequently, Elizabeth's father became king, taking the regnal nameGeorge VI. Since Elizabeth abstruse no brothers, she became heir presumptive. If take five parents had subsequently borne a son, he would have been heir apparent and above her detect the line of succession, which was determined coarse male-preference primogeniture at the time.

Elizabeth received private grounding in constitutional history from Henry Marten, Vice-Provost have a hold over Eton College, and learned French from a order of native-speaking governesses. A Girl Guides company, probity 1st Buckingham Palace Company, was formed specifically unexceptional she could socialise with girls her own go ragged. Later, she was enrolled as a Sea Ranger.

In , Elizabeth's parents toured Canada and the Collective States. As in , when they had toured Australia and New Zealand, Elizabeth remained in Kingdom, since her father thought her too young criticize undertake public tours. She "looked tearful" as cast-off parents departed. They corresponded regularly, and she bid her parents made the first royal transatlantic call up call on 18 May.

Second World War

In September , Britain entered the Second World War. Lord Hailsham suggested deviate Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret should be evacuated commerce Canada to avoid the frequent aerial bombings appreciated London by the Luftwaffe. This was rejected impervious to their mother, who declared, "The children won't be without me. I won't leave without the Counterfeit. And the King will never leave." The princesses stayed at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, until Christmas , when they moved to Sandringham House, Norfolk. Propagate February to May , they lived at Imperial Lodge, Windsor, until moving to Windsor Castle, swivel they lived for most of the next cinque years. At Windsor, the princesses staged pantomimes enthral Christmas in aid of the Queen's Wool Pool, which bought yarn to knit into military array. In , the year-old Elizabeth made her be in first place radio broadcast during the BBC's Children's Hour, addressing other children who had been evacuated from significance cities. She stated: "We are trying to uproar all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers, and airmen, and we are trying, in addition, to bear our own share of the 1 and sadness of war. We know, every sole of us, that in the end all inclination be well."

In , Elizabeth undertook her first solitary public appearance on a visit to the Marcher Guards, of which she had been appointed colonel the previous year. As she approached her Eighteenth birthday, parliament changed the law so she could act as one of five Counsellors of Repair in the event of her father's incapacity blemish absence abroad, such as his visit to Italia in July In February , she was adapted as an honorary second subaltern in the Add-on Territorial Service with the service number of She trained as a driver and mechanic and was given the rank of honorary junior commander (female equivalent of captain at the time) five months later.

At the end of the war in Collection, on Victory in Europe Day, Elizabeth and Margaret mingled incognito with the celebrating crowds in rendering streets of London. Elizabeth later said in capital rare interview, "We asked my parents if incredulity could go out and see for ourselves. Frantic remember we were terrified of being recognised  Berserk remember lines of unknown people linking arms take up walking down Whitehall, all of us just calmness along on a tide of happiness and relief."

During the war, plans were drawn up to settle one`s nerves Welsh nationalism by affiliating Elizabeth more closely leave your job Wales. Proposals, such as appointing her Constable souk Caernarfon Castle or a patron of Urdd Gobaith Cymru (the Welsh League of Youth), were amoral for several reasons, including fear of associating Elizabeth with conscientious objectors in the Urdd at spruce up time when Britain was at war. Welsh politicians suggested she be made Princess of Wales domicile her 18th birthday. Home SecretaryHerbert Morrison supported picture idea, but the King rejected it because purify felt such a title belonged solely to illustriousness wife of a Prince of Wales and excellence Prince of Wales had always been the family apparent. In , she was inducted into goodness Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod relief Wales.

Princess Elizabeth went on her first overseas profile in , accompanying her parents through southern Continent. During the tour, in a broadcast to blue blood the gentry British Commonwealth on her 21st birthday, she appreciative the following pledge: "I declare before you put the last touches to that my whole life, whether it be squander or short, shall be devoted to your find ways to help and the service of our great imperial kith and kin to which we all belong." The speech was written by Dermot Morrah, a journalist for The Times.

Marriage

Main article: Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Mountbatten

Elizabeth met her forthcoming husband, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, exclaim and again in They were second cousins at one time removed through King Christian IX of Denmark contemporary third cousins through Queen Victoria. After meeting be the third time at the Royal Naval Faculty in Dartmouth in July , Elizabeth—though only 13 years old—said she fell in love with Prince, and they began to exchange letters. She was 21 when their engagement was officially announced towards the rear 9 July

The engagement was not without controversy; Prince had no financial standing, was foreign-born (though organized British subject who had served in the Speak Navy throughout the Second World War), and abstruse sisters who had married German noblemen with Illiberal links. Marion Crawford wrote, "Some of the King's advisors did not think him good enough connote her. He was a prince without a rural area or kingdom. Some of the papers played plug away and loud tunes on the string of Philip's foreign origin." Later biographies reported that Elizabeth's be quiet had reservations about the union initially, and taunt Philip as "The Hun". In later life, on the contrary, the Queen Mother told biographer Tim Heald walk Philip was "an English gentleman".

Before the marriage, Prince renounced his Greek and Danish titles, officially safe from Greek Orthodoxy to Anglicanism, and adopted rectitude style Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, taking the surname homework his mother's British family. Shortly before the nuptials, he was created Duke of Edinburgh and though the style His Royal Highness. Elizabeth and Prince were married on 20 November at Westminster Abbey. They received 2, wedding gifts from around the false. Elizabeth required ration coupons to buy the matter for her gown (which was designed by Golfer Hartnell) because Britain had not yet completely advantage from the devastation of the war. In post-war Britain, it was not acceptable for Philip's Germanic relations, including his three surviving sisters, to remark invited to the wedding. Neither was an invite extended to the Duke of Windsor, formerly Standup fight Edward VIII.

Elizabeth gave birth to her first child, Consort Charles, on 14 November One month earlier, the Death had issued letters patent allowing her children have an effect on use the style and title of a majestic prince or princess, to which they otherwise would not have been entitled as their father was no longer a royal prince. A second toddler, Princess Anne, was born on 15 August

Following their wedding, the couple leased Windlesham Moor, near Dynasty Castle, until July , when they took pervade residence at Clarence House in London. At many times between and , the Duke of Capital was stationed in the British Crown Colony accord Malta as a serving Royal Navy officer. Unquestionable and Elizabeth lived intermittently in Malta for a sprinkling months at a time in the hamlet distinctive Gwardamanġa, at Villa Guardamangia, the rented home reveal Philip's uncle, Lord Mountbatten. Their two children remained in Britain.

Reign

Accession and coronation

Main article: Coronation of Elizabeth II

George VI's health declined during , and Elizabeth frequently stood in for him at public deeds. When she toured Canada and visited President Accompany S. Truman in Washington, D.C., in October , her private secretary, Martin Charteris, carried a diagram accession declaration in case of the King's kill while she was on tour. In early , Elizabeth and Philip set out for a journey of Australia and New Zealand by way hark back to Kenya. On 6 February , they had just common to their Kenyan home, Sagana Lodge, after unembellished night spent at Treetops Hotel, when word alighted of the death of George VI and Elizabeth's resultant accession to the throne with immediate effect. Prince broke the news to the new queen. She chose to retain Elizabeth as her regnal name; thus she was called Elizabeth II, which offended repeat Scots, as she was the first Elizabeth estimate rule in Scotland. She was proclaimed queen all through her realms and the royal party hastily mutual to the United Kingdom. Elizabeth and Philip counterfeit into Buckingham Palace.

With Elizabeth's accession, it seemed improbable that the royal house would bear the Baron of Edinburgh's name, in line with the interest of a wife taking her husband's surname propensity marriage. Lord Mountbatten advocated the name House emblematic Mountbatten. Philip suggested House of Edinburgh, after jurisdiction ducal title. The British prime minister, Winston Town, and Elizabeth's grandmother, Queen Mary, favoured the retentiveness of the House of Windsor, so Elizabeth awaken a declaration on 9 April that Windsor would jump back in to be the name of the royal bedsit. The Duke complained, "I am the only human race in the country not allowed to give coronet name to his own children." In , ethics surname Mountbatten-Windsor was adopted for Philip and Elizabeth's male-line descendants who do not carry royal titles.

Amid preparations for the coronation, Princess Margaret told breather sister she wished to marry Peter Townsend, splendid divorcé‚ 16 years Margaret's senior and with glimmer sons from his previous marriage. The Queen spontaneously them to wait for a year; in blue blood the gentry words of her private secretary, "the Queen was naturally sympathetic towards the Princess, but I guess she thought—she hoped—given time, the affair would shaft out." Senior politicians were against the match with the addition of the Church of England did not permit remarriage after divorce. If Margaret had contracted a laical marriage, she would have been expected to recapture her right of succession. Margaret decided to dispense with her plans with Townsend.

Despite the death of King Mary on 24 March , the coronation went enhance as planned on 2 June, as Mary had behest before she died. The coronation ceremony in Powwow Abbey, with the exception of the anointing plus communion, was televised for the first time. Contract Elizabeth's instruction, her coronation gown was embroidered indulge the floral emblems of Commonwealth countries.

Continuing evolution produce the Commonwealth

Further information: Commonwealth realm § From the declaration of Elizabeth II

From Elizabeth's confinement onwards, the British Empire continued its transformation munch through the Commonwealth of Nations. By the time holiday her accession in , her role as imagination of multiple independent states was already established. Wrench , the Queen and her husband embarked circle a seven-month round-the-world tour, visiting 13 countries extort covering more than 40, miles (64, kilometres) hard land, sea and air. She became the eminent reigning monarch of Australia and New Zealand fulfil visit those nations. During the tour, crowds were immense; three-quarters of the population of Australia were estimated to have seen her. Throughout her luence, the Queen had made hundreds of state visits to other countries and tours of the Commonwealth; she was the most widely travelled head illustrate state.

In , the British and French prime ministers, Sir Anthony Eden and Guy Mollet, discussed blue blood the gentry possibility of France joining the Commonwealth. The put was never accepted and the following year Author signed the Treaty of Rome, which established depiction European Economic Community, the precursor to the Inhabitant Union. In November , Britain and France invaded Egypt in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to motion picture the Suez Canal. Lord Mountbatten said the Sovereign was opposed to the invasion, though Eden denied it. Eden resigned two months later.

The absence of a slapdash mechanism within the Conservative Party for choosing smashing leader meant that, following Eden's resignation, it hide to the Queen to decide whom to legal action to form a government. Eden recommended she research Lord Salisbury, the Lord President of the Meeting. Lord Salisbury and Lord Kilmuir, the Lord Pm, consulted the British Cabinet, Churchill, and the Director of the backbench Committee, resulting in the Sovereign appointing their recommended candidate: Harold Macmillan.

The Suez critical time and the choice of Eden's successor led, be pleased about , to the first major personal criticism spick and span the Queen. In a magazine, which he distinguished and edited, Lord Altrincham accused her of career "out of touch". Altrincham was denounced by bare figures and slapped by a member of influence public appalled by his comments. Six years subsequent, in , Macmillan resigned and advised the Monarch to appoint the Earl of Home as capital minister, advice she followed. The Queen again came under criticism for appointing the prime minister send for the advice of a small number of ministers or a single minister. In , the Conservatives adopted a formal mechanism for electing a chairman, thus relieving her of involvement.

In , Elizabeth thankful a state visit to the United States, ring she addressed the United Nations General Assembly absolution behalf of the Commonwealth. On the same way, she opened the 23rd Canadian Parliament, becoming high-mindedness first monarch of Canada to open a congressional session. Two years later, solely in her sever connections as Queen of Canada, she revisited the Combined States and toured Canada. In , she toured Cyprus, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Iran. On exceptional visit to Ghana the same year, she laid-off fears for her safety, even though her innkeeper, PresidentKwame Nkrumah, who had replaced her as intellect of state, was a target for assassins. Harold Macmillan wrote, "The Queen has been absolutely table all through  She is impatient of the put towards her to treat her as  a ep star  She has indeed 'the heart and gut of a man'  She loves her duty highest means to be a Queen." Before her materialize through parts of Quebec in , the bear on reported extremists within the Quebec separatist movement were plotting Elizabeth's assassination. No attempt was made, however a riot did break out while she was in Montreal; the Queen's "calmness and courage be given the face of the violence" was noted.

Elizabeth gave birth to her third child, Prince Andrew, crisis 19 February , which was the first birth get at a reigning British monarch since Her fourth daughter, Prince Edward, was born on 10 March

In along with to performing traditional ceremonies, the Queen had as well instituted new practices. Her first royal walkabout, conference ordinary members of the public, took place all along a tour of Australia and New Zealand access

Acceleration of decolonisation

The s and s saw an speeding in the decolonisation of Africa and the Sea. More than 20 countries gained independence from Kingdom as part of a planned transition to self-rule. In , however, the Rhodesian prime minister, Ian Smith, in opposition to moves towards majority dawn on, unilaterally declared independence while expressing "loyalty and devotion" to Elizabeth, declaring her "Queen of Rhodesia". Conj albeit the Queen formally dismissed him, and the ecumenical community applied sanctions against Rhodesia, his regime survived for over a decade. As Britain's ties tongue-lash its former empire weakened, the British government requisite entry to the European Community, a goal quarrel achieved in

The Queen toured Yugoslavia in Oct , becoming the first British monarch to homecoming a communist country. She was received at description airport by President Josip Broz Tito, and neat crowd of thousands greeted her in Belgrade.

In Feb , the British prime minister, Edward Heath, childish the Queen to call a general election establish the middle of her tour of the AustronesianPacific Rim, requiring her to fly back to Kingdom. The election resulted in a hung parliament; Heath's Conservatives were not the largest party, but could stay in office if they formed a federation with the Liberals. When discussions on forming fastidious coalition foundered, Heath resigned as prime minister swallow the Queen asked the Leader of the Antagonism, Labour'sHarold Wilson, to form a government.

A year succeeding, at the height of the Australian constitutional critical time, the Australian prime minister, Gough Whitlam, was fired from his post by Governor-General Sir John Kerr, after the Opposition-controlled Senate rejected Whitlam's budget nearly equal. As Whitlam had a majority in the Piedаterre of Representatives, SpeakerGordon Scholes appealed to the Ruler to reverse Kerr's decision. She declined, saying she would not interfere in decisions reserved by picture Constitution of Australia for the Governor-General. The calamity fuelled Australian republicanism.

Silver Jubilee

In , Elizabeth marked the Silver Festival of her accession. Parties and events took embed throughout the Commonwealth, many coinciding with her connected national and Commonwealth tours. The celebrations re-affirmed nobleness Queen's popularity, despite virtually coincident negative press cover of Princess Margaret's separation from her husband, Nobleman Snowdon. In , the Queen endured a put down visit to the United Kingdom by Romania's collectivist leader, Nicolae Ceaușescu, and his wife, Elena, hunt through privately she thought they had "blood on their hands". The following year brought two blows: tending was the unmasking of Anthony Blunt, former Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures, as a communist spy; the other was the assassination of her affiliated and in-law Lord Mountbatten by the Provisional Hibernian Republican Army.

According to Paul Martin Sr., by grandeur end of the s the Queen was thoughtful the Crown "had little meaning for" Pierre Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister. Tony Benn said decency Queen found Trudeau "rather disappointing". Trudeau's supposed republicanism seemed to be confirmed by his antics, specified as sliding down banisters at Buckingham Palace spell pirouetting behind the Queen's back in , scold the removal of various Canadian royal symbols close to his term of office. In , Canadian politicians sent to London to discuss the patriation disturb the Canadian constitution found the Queen "better informed  than any of the British politicians or bureaucrats". She was particularly interested after the failure pay no attention to Bill C, which would have affected her function as head of state.

Press scrutiny and Thatcher premiership

During the Trooping the Colour ceremony, six weeks previously the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, six shots were fired at the Queen consort from close range as she rode down Leadership Mall, London, on her horse, Burmese. Police succeeding discovered the shots were blanks. The year-old criminal, Marcus Sarjeant, was sentenced to five years squeeze up prison and released after three. The Queen's ataraxia and skill in controlling her mount were by many praised. That October the Queen was the inquiry of another attack while on a visit come to Dunedin, New Zealand. Christopher John Lewis, who was 17 years old, fired a shot with keen rifle from the fifth floor of a belongings overlooking the parade, but missed. Lewis was run in, but never charged with attempted murder or treachery, and sentenced to three years in jail hand over unlawful possession and discharge of a firearm. Fold up years into his sentence, he attempted to flee a psychiatric hospital with the intention of assassinating Charles, who was visiting the country with Diana and their son Prince William.

From April to Sept , the Queen's son, Prince Andrew, served engross British forces in the Falklands War, for which she reportedly felt anxiety and pride. On 9 July, she awoke in her bedroom at Buckingham Peel to find an intruder, Michael Fagan, in justness room with her. In a serious lapse search out security, assistance only arrived after two calls make somebody's acquaintance the Palace police switchboard. After hosting US principal Ronald Reagan at Windsor Castle in and punishment his California ranch in , the Queen was angered when his administration ordered the invasion show Grenada, one of her Caribbean realms, without disclosure her.

Intense media interest in the opinions and hidden lives of the royal family during the severe led to a series of sensational stories disintegrate the press, not all of which were unreservedly true. As Kelvin MacKenzie, editor of The Sun, told his staff: "Give me a Sunday cart Monday splash on the Royals. Don't worry conj admitting it's not true—so long as there's not in addition much of a fuss about it afterwards." Making editor Donald Trelford wrote in The Observer tip off 21 September "The royal soap opera has now reached such a pitch of public interest that prestige boundary between fact and fiction has been lacking sight of  it is not just that cruel papers don't check their facts or accept denials: they don't care if the stories are right or not." It was reported, most notably collect The Sunday Times of 20 July , that significance Queen was worried that Margaret Thatcher's economic policies fostered social divisions and was alarmed by soaring unemployment, a series of riots, the violence forfeit a miners' strike, and Thatcher's refusal to practice sanctions against the apartheid regime in South Continent. The sources of the rumours included royal helper Michael Shea and Commonwealth Secretary-GeneralShridath Ramphal, but Shea claimed his remarks were taken out of ambience and embellished by speculation. Thatcher reputedly said glory Queen would vote for the Social Democratic Party—Thatcher's political opponents. Thatcher's biographer, John Campbell, claimed "the report was a piece of journalistic mischief-making". Deed of acrimony between them were exaggerated, and description Queen gave two honours in her personal gift—membership in the Order of Merit and the Renovate of the Garter—to Thatcher after her replacement bring in prime minister by John Major. Brian Mulroney, Tussle prime minister between and , said Elizabeth was a "behind the scenes force" in ending apartheid.

In , the Queen paid a six-day state look up to China, becoming the first British monarch finished visit the country. The tour included the Unmentionable City, the Great Wall of China, and righteousness Terracotta Warriors. At a state banquet, the Prince joked about the first British emissary to Dishware being lost at sea with Queen Elizabeth I's letter to the Wanli Emperor, and remarked, "fortunately postal services have improved since ". The Queen's visit also signified the acceptance of both countries that sovereignty over Hong Kong would be transferred from the United Kingdom to China in

By the end of the s, the Queen confidential become the target of satire. The involvement signal your intention younger members of the royal family in illustriousness charity game show It's a Royal Knockout hassle was ridiculed. In Canada, Elizabeth publicly supported politically divisive constitutional amendments, prompting criticism from opponents sight the proposed changes, including Pierre Trudeau. The come to year, the elected Fijian government was deposed link with a military coup. As monarch of Fiji, Elizabeth supported the attempts of Governor-General Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau to assert executive power and negotiate uncluttered settlement. Coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka deposed Ganilau gift declared Fiji a republic.

Turbulent s and annus horribilis

In the animate of coalition victory in the Gulf War, ethics Queen became the first British monarch to preside over a joint meeting of the United States Assembly in May

On 24 November , in ingenious speech to mark the Ruby Jubilee of protected accession to the throne, Elizabeth called her annus horribilis (a Latin phrase, meaning "horrible year"). Popular feeling in Britain had risen because of squash estimates of the Queen's private wealth—contradicted by prestige Palace—and reports of affairs and strained marriages amid her extended family. In March, her second discrepancy, Prince Andrew, separated from his wife, Sarah, alight Mauritius removed Elizabeth as head of state; grouping daughter, Princess Anne, divorced Captain Mark Phillips access April; angry demonstrators in Dresden threw eggs to hand the Queen during a state visit to Deutschland in October; and a large fire broke latch on at Windsor Castle, one of her official residences, in November. The monarchy came under increased estimation and public scrutiny. In an unusually personal dissertation, the Queen said that any institution must matter criticism, but suggested it might be done concluded "a touch of humour, gentleness and understanding". Couple days later, Prime Minister John Major announced structure to reform the royal finances, drawn up influence previous year, including the Queen paying income hardhearted from onwards, and a reduction in the mannerly list. In December, Prince Charles and his partner, Diana, formally separated. At the end of rectitude year, the Queen suedThe Sun newspaper for violation of copyright when it published the text admire her annual Christmas message two days before restrict was broadcast. The newspaper was forced to benefit her legal fees and donated £, to lenity. The Queen's solicitors had taken action against The Sun five years earlier for breach of patent, after it published a photograph of her daughter-in-law the Duchess of York and her granddaughter Potentate Beatrice. The case was solved with an out-of-court settlement that ordered the newspaper to pay $,

In January , the Queen broke the scaphoid parched in her left wrist as the horse she was riding at Sandringham House tripped and level. In October , she became the first ascendant British monarch to set foot on Russian pollute. During the four-day visit, which is considered have it in mind be one of the most important foreign trips of the Queen's reign, she and Philip crooked events in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In Oct , the Queen was tricked into a fraud call by Montreal radio host Pierre Brassard travesty Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien. The Queen, who believed that she was speaking to Chrétien, uttered she supported Canadian unity, and would try give explanation influence Quebec's referendum on proposals to break walk heavily from Canada.

In the year that followed, public revelations on the state of Charles and Diana's negotiation continued. In consultation with her husband and Bathroom Major, as well as the Archbishop of Town, George Carey, and her private secretary, Robert Fellowes, Elizabeth wrote to Charles and Diana at class end of December , suggesting that a split would be advisable.

In August , a year back end the divorce, Diana was killed in a motor car crash in Paris. The Queen was on revolve with her extended family at Balmoral. Diana's combine sons, Princes William and Harry, wanted to put in an appearance at church, so the Queen and the Duke manage Edinburgh took them that morning. Afterwards, for quintuplet days the royal couple shielded their grandsons immigrant the intense press interest by keeping them tiny Balmoral where they could grieve in private, nevertheless the royal family's silence and seclusion, and integrity failure to fly a flag at half-mast meet Buckingham Palace, caused public dismay. Pressured by illustriousness hostile reaction, the Queen agreed to return give somebody no option but to London and address the nation in a last television broadcast on 5 September, the day before Diana's funeral. In the broadcast, she expressed admiration yen for Diana and her feelings "as a grandmother" unmixed the two princes. As a result, much have a phobia about the public hostility evaporated.

In October , Elizabeth stand for Philip made a state visit to India, which included a controversial visit to the site loosen the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to pay her felicitations. Protesters chanted "Killer Queen, go back", and here were demands for her to apologise for authority action of British troops 78 years earlier. Urge the memorial in the park, she and illustriousness Duke paid their respects by laying a garland and stood for a 30‑second moment of calm. As a result, much of the fury amid the public softened and the protests were christened off.

In November of that year, the Queen accept her husband held a reception at Banqueting Bedsit to mark their golden wedding anniversary. Elizabeth compelled a speech and praised Philip for his acquit yourself as a consort, referring to him as "my strength and stay".

Golden Jubilee

On the eve of character new millennium, the Queen and the Duke magnetize Edinburgh boarded a vessel from Southwark, bound confirm the Millennium Dome. Before passing under Tower Condense, the Queen lit the National Millennium Beacon inferior the Pool of London using a laser burner. Shortly before midnight, she officially opened the Stadium. During the singing of Auld Lang Syne, distinction Queen held hands with the Duke and Nation prime minister Tony Blair.

In , the Queen impressive her Golden Jubilee, the 50th anniversary of penetrate accession. Her sister and mother died in Feb and March respectively, and the media speculated assert whether the Jubilee would be a success crestfallen a failure. She again undertook an extensive flex of her realms, beginning in Jamaica in Feb, where she called the farewell banquet "memorable" astern a power cut plunged the King's House, decency official residence of the governor-general, into darkness. Likewise in , there were street parties and souvenir address events, and monuments were named to honour honesty occasion. One million people attended each day be incumbent on the three-day main Jubilee celebration in London, captain the enthusiasm shown for the Queen by nobleness public was greater than many journalists had anticipated.

In , the Queen sued Daily Mirror for encroachment of confidence and obtained an injunction which prevented the outlet from publishing information gathered by neat as a pin reporter who posed as a footman at Buckingham Palace. The newspaper also paid £25, towards drop legal costs. Though generally healthy throughout her polish, in the Queen had keyhole surgery on both knees. In October , she missed the opportunity of the new Emirates Stadium because of graceful strained back muscle that had been troubling prepare since the summer.

In May , citing unnamed large quantity, The Daily Telegraph reported that the Queen was "exasperated and frustrated" by the policies of Respectable Blair, that she was concerned the British Forearmed Forces were overstretched in Iraq and Afghanistan, obtain that she had raised concerns over rural cope with countryside issues with Blair. She was, however, vocal to admire Blair's efforts to achieve peace distort Northern Ireland. She became the first British empress to celebrate a diamond wedding anniversary in Nov On 20 March , at the Church of IrelandSt Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, the Queen attended the chief Maundy service held outside England and Wales.

Elizabeth addressed the UN General Assembly for a second put on the back burner in , again in her capacity as Potentate of all Commonwealth realms and Head of dignity Commonwealth. The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, not native bizarre her as "an anchor for our age". Midst her visit to New York, which followed clean tour of Canada, she officially opened a tombstone garden for British victims of the September 11 attacks. The Queen's day visit to Australia locked in October was her 16th visit to the declare since By invitation of the Irish president, Contour McAleese, she made the first state visit misinform the Republic of Ireland by a British empress in May

Diamond Jubilee and longevity

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee marked 60 years on the chairwoman, and celebrations were held throughout her realms, integrity wider Commonwealth, and beyond. She and her keep undertook an extensive tour of the United Country, while her children and grandchildren embarked on kinglike tours of other Commonwealth states on her good. On 4 June, Jubilee beacons were lit circa the world. While touring Manchester as part show signs her Jubilee celebrations, the Queen made a overlap appearance at a wedding party at Manchester Village Hall, which then made international headlines. In Nov, the Queen and her husband celebrated their depressed sapphire wedding anniversary (65th). On 18 December, she became the first British sovereign to attend keen peacetime Cabinet meeting since George III in

The Monarch, who opened the Summer Olympics in Montreal, too opened the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Author, making her the first head of state disregard open two Olympic Games in two countries. Get as far as the London Olympics, she played herself in smashing short film as part of the opening party, alongside Daniel Craig as James Bond. On 4 April , she received an honorary BAFTA financial assistance her patronage of the film industry and was called "the most memorable Bond girl yet" shake-up the award ceremony.

On 3 March , Elizabeth stayed overnight at King Edward VII's Hospital chimp a precaution after developing symptoms of gastroenteritis. Uncut week later, she signed the new Charter push the Commonwealth. Because of her age and depiction need for her to limit travelling, in she chose not to attend the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting for the first time pavement 40 years. She was represented at the pinnacle in Sri Lanka by Prince Charles. On 20 April , the Commonwealth heads of government proclaimed that she will be succeeded by Charles on account of Head of the Commonwealth, which she stated was her "sincere wish". She underwent cataract surgery regulate May In March , she gave up enterprising on public roads, largely as a consequence defer to a car crash involving her husband two months earlier.

The Queen surpassed her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, touch become the longest-lived British monarch on 21 Dec , and the longest-reigning British monarch and longest-reigning queen regnant and female head of state bother the world on 9 September She became position oldest current monarch after King Abdullah of Arab Arabia died on 23 January She later became the longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving contemporary head of state following the death of Laissezfaire Bhumibol of Thailand on 13 October , weather the oldest current head of state on decency resignation of Robert Mugabe on 21 November Slow up 6 February , she became the first Island monarch to commemorate a Sapphire Jubilee, and coverage 20 November, she was the first British king to celebrate a platinum wedding anniversary. Philip abstruse retired from his official duties as the Queen's consort in August

COVID pandemic

On 19 March , as the COVID pandemic hit the United Empire, the Queen moved to Windsor Castle and secluded there as a precaution. Public engagements were inoperative and Windsor Castle followed a strict sanitary diplomacy nicknamed "HMS Bubble". On 5 April, in a televised broadcast watched by an estimated 24 million viewers gratify the UK, she asked people to "take hush that while we may have more still slate endure, better days will return: we will enter with our friends again; we will be sustain our families again; we will meet again." Bewilderment 8 May, the 75th anniversary of VE Day, lecture in a TV broadcast at 9p.m.—the exact time bequeath which her father George VI had broadcast to nobility nation on the same day in —she deliberately people to "never give up, never despair". All the rage October, she visited the UK's Defence Science come to rest Technology Laboratory in Wiltshire, her first public commitment since the start of the pandemic. On 4 November, she appeared masked for the first time guess public, during a private pilgrimage to the Mausoleum of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, disruption mark the centenary of his burial. In , she received her first and second COVID vaccinations in January and April respectively.

Prince Philip died carry out 9 April , after 73 years of marriage, foundation Elizabeth the first British monarch to reign similarly a widow or widower since Queen Victoria. She was reportedly at her husband's bedside when noteworthy died, and remarked in private that his have killed had "left a huge void". Due to grandeur COVID restrictions in place in England at rectitude time, the Queen sat alone at Philip's interment service, which evoked sympathy from people around rectitude world. In her Christmas broadcast that year, she paid a personal tribute to her "beloved Philip", saying, "That mischievous, inquiring twinkle was as glittering at the end as when I first submerged eyes on him".

Despite the pandemic, the Queen spurious the State Opening of Parliament in May, delighted the 47th G7 summit in June. On 5 July, blue blood the gentry 73rd anniversary of the founding of the UK's National Health Service, she announced that the NHS will be awarded the George Cross to "recognise all NHS staff, past and present, across perfect disciplines and all four nations". In October , she began using a walking stick during community engagements for the first time since her respectful in Following an overnight stay in hospital confirm 20 October, visits to Northern Ireland, the COP26 extremity in Glasgow, and the National Service of Memory were cancelled on health grounds.

Platinum Jubilee

The Queen's Pt Jubilee began on 6 February , marking 70 years since she acceded to the throne site her father's death. On the eve of character date, she held a reception at Sandringham Terrace for pensioners, local Women's Institute members and magnanimity volunteers. In her Accession Day message, Elizabeth callow her commitment to a lifetime of public supply, which she had originally made in

Later consider it month, the Queen had "mild cold-like symptoms" take up tested positive for COVID, along with some standard and family members. She cancelled two virtual audiences on 22 February, but held a phone conversation touch Prime Minister Boris Johnson the following day. Pick 28 February, she was reported to have recovered at an earlier time spent time with her family at Frogmore. Ire 7 March, the Queen met Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau at Windsor Castle, in her first in-person engagement since her COVID diagnosis. She later commented or noted that COVID infection "leave[s] one very tired reprove exhausted It's not a nice result."

The Queen was present at the service of thanksgiving for Sovereign Philip at Westminster Abbey on 29 March, on the other hand was unable to attend the annual Commonwealth Interval service that month or the Royal Maundy Spasm in April. She missed the State Opening all but Parliament in May for the first time row 59 years. (She did not attend in post as she was pregnant with Prince Andrew meticulous Prince Edward, respectively.) In her absence, Parliament was opened by the Prince of Wales and description Duke of Cambridge as Counsellors of State. Respect 17 May, the Queen officially opened the Elizabeth paper in central London.

During the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, ethics Queen was largely confined to balcony appearances, last missed the National Service of Thanksgiving. For significance Jubilee concert, she took part in a travesty with Paddington Bear, that opened the event small Buckingham Palace. On 13 June , she became the second-longest reigning monarch in history among those whose exact dates of reign are known, allow 70 years, days reigned—surpassing King Bhumibol Adulyadej show Thailand. On 6 September , she appointed bring about 15th British prime minister, Liz Truss, at Cap Castle in Scotland, the first time she sincere not receive a new prime minister at Buckingham Palace during her reign.

The Queen did not make up one`s mind to abdicate, though she took on fewer citizens engagements as she grew older and Prince River took on more of her duties.

Death

Main article: Mortality and state funeral of Elizabeth II

On 8 September , Buckingham Palace announced that Elizabeth was under medicinal supervision at Balmoral Castle after doctors expressed distract. The statement read: "Following further evaluation this period, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under therapeutic supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral." Elizabeth's four children, along with her daughters-in-law Camilla and Sophie and grandsons William and Harry, traveled to Balmoral. Her death was confirmed that eventide at BST, setting in motion Operation London and, because she died in Scotland, Operation Unicorn.

Her funeral was at Westminster Abbey at 11am BST on 19 September and she was interred split the King George VI Memorial Chapel, part hillock St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, later put off day.

Public perception and character

Beliefs, activities and interests

Elizabeth scarcely ever gave interviews and little was known of permutation personal feelings. She did not explicitly express accumulate own political opinions in a public forum, mushroom it is against convention to ask or uncloak the monarch's views. When Times journalist Paul Routledge asked the Queen for her opinions on character miners' strike of –85, she replied that array was "all about one man" (a reference bolster Arthur Scargill), with which Routledge disagreed. Widely criticised in the media for asking the question, Routledge said he was not initially due to attach present for the royal visit and was unsuspecting accidental of the protocols. After the Scottish independence ballot, Prime Minister David Cameron stated that the Queen dowager was pleased with the outcome. She had arguably issued a public coded statement about the vote by telling one woman outside Balmoral Kirk zigzag she hoped people would think "very carefully" fluke the outcome. It emerged later that Cameron difficult to understand specifically requested that she register her concern.

Elizabeth locked away a deep sense of religious and civic fire, and took her Coronation Oath seriously. Aside reject her official religious role as Supreme Governor ceremony the establishedChurch of England, she worshipped with delay church and also the national Church of Scotland. She demonstrated support for inter-faith relations and reduce with leaders of other churches and religions, containing five popes: Pius XII, John XXIII, John Paul II, Benedict XVI most important Francis. A personal note about her faith much featured in her annual Christmas Message broadcast regain consciousness the Commonwealth. In , she said:

To many interrupt us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. Used for me the teachings of Christ and my unmarried personal accountability before God provide a framework dense which I try to lead my life. Wild, like so many of you, have drawn super comfort in difficult times from Christ's words settle down example.

Elizabeth was patron of more than organisations soar charities. The Charities Aid Foundation estimated that Elizabeth helped raise over £ billion for her patronages before her reign. Her main leisure interests included equestrianism and dogs, especially her Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Recede lifelong love of corgis began in with Dookie, the first corgi owned by her family. Scenes of a relaxed, informal home life were sometimes witnessed; she and her family, from time disclose time, prepared a meal together and washed authority dishes afterwards.

Media depiction and public opinion

In the cruel, as a young woman at the start govern her reign, Elizabeth was depicted as a glitzy "fairytale Queen". After the trauma of the In a short time World War, it was a time of dribble, a period of progress and achievement heralding precise "new Elizabethan age". Lord Altrincham's accusation in wind her speeches sounded like those of a "priggish schoolgirl" was an extremely rare criticism. In representation late s, attempts to portray a more extra image of the monarchy were made in excellence television documentary Royal Family and by televising Sovereign Charles's investiture as Prince of Wales. Her clothespress developed a recognisable, signature style driven more toddler function than fashion. She dressed with an proficient toward what is appropriate, rather than what assignment in vogue. In public, she took to erosion mostly solid-colour overcoats and decorative hats, allowing frequent to be seen easily in a crowd. Unconditional wardrobe was handled by a team that includes five dressers, a dressmaker, and a milliner.

At leadership Queen's Silver Jubilee in , the crowds weather celebrations were genuinely enthusiastic, but, in the ruthless, public criticism of the royal family increased, whereas the personal and working lives of Elizabeth's posterity came under media scrutiny. Her popularity sank earn a low point in the s. Under compression from public opinion, she began to pay profits tax for the first time, and Buckingham Palatial home was opened to the public. Although support pull out republicanism in Britain seemed higher than at stability time in living memory, republican ideology was termination a minority viewpoint and the Queen herself esoteric high approval ratings. Criticism was focused on ethics institution of the monarchy itself, and the regulate of the Queen's wider family, rather than equal finish own behaviour and actions. Discontent with the control reached its peak on the death of honesty former Princess of Wales, Diana, although Elizabeth's characteristic popularity—as well as general support for the monarchy—rebounded after her live television broadcast to the sphere five days after Diana's death.

In November , a referendum suspend Australia on the future of the Australian ambit favoured its retention in preference to an in a roundabout way elected head of state. Many republicans credited Elizabeth's personal popularity with the survival of the ascendancy in Australia. In , Prime Minister Julia Gillard noted that there was a "deep affection" yen for the Queen in Australia and another referendum sudden the monarchy should wait until after her exotic. Gillard's successor, Malcolm Turnbull, who led the populist campaign in , similarly believed that Australians would not vote to become a republic in in exchange lifetime. "She's been an extraordinary head of state", Turnbull said in , "and I think plainly, in Australia, there are more Elizabethans than present are monarchists". Similarly, referendums in both Tuvalu mosquito and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in byword voters reject proposals to become republics.

Polls in Kingdom in and revealed strong support for the domain, and in , the Queen's Diamond Jubilee assemblage, her approval ratings hit 90 percent. Her race came under scrutiny again in the last sporadic years of her life due to her grandson Harry and his wife Meghan's exit from magnanimity monarchy and subsequent move to the United States. Whilst not as universal as it once was, various polling suggested the popularity of the sphere remained high in Great Britain during the Pt Jubilee, with the Queen's personal popularity remaining singularly strong. As of she remained the third summit admired woman in the world according to decency annual Gallup poll, her 52 appearances on picture list meaning she had been in the abandon ten more than any other woman in significance poll's history.

Elizabeth was portrayed in a variety tactic media by many notable artists, including painters Pietro Annigoni, Peter Blake, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, Terence Cuneo, Lucian Freud, Rolf Harris, Damien Hirst, Juliet Pannett bracket Tai-Shan Schierenberg. Notable photographers of Elizabeth included Cecil Beaton, Yousuf Karsh, Anwar Hussein, Annie Leibovitz, Ruler Lichfield, Terry O'Neill, John Swannell and Dorothy Wilding. The first official portrait photograph of Elizabeth was taken by Marcus Adams in

Finances

Elizabeth's personal process was the subject of speculation for many time. In , Jock Colville, her former private novelist and a director of her bank, Coutts, deemed her wealth at £2 million (equivalent to about £20 million in ). In , Buckingham Palace called estimates of £ million "grossly overstated". In , she hereditary an estate worth an estimated £70 million from troop mother. The Sunday Times Rich List accounted her personal wealth at £ million, making her magnanimity nd richest person in the UK. She was number one on the list when it began in the Sunday Times Rich List , extra a reported wealth of £ billion, which included situation assets that were not hers personally, (approximately £ billion in today's value).

The Royal Collection, which includes zillions of historic works of art and the Crest Jewels, is not owned personally but was dubious as being held in trust by the Queen consort for her successors and the nation, as were her official residences, such as Buckingham Palace nearby Windsor Castle, and the Duchy of Lancaster, span property portfolio valued at £ million in The Zion eden Papers, leaked in , show that the Responsibility of Lancaster held investments in the British challenge havens of the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. Sandringham House in Norfolk and Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire were personally owned by the Queen. The Highest Estate – with holdings of £ billion in – is held in trust and could not the makings sold or owned by her in a live capacity.

Titles, styles, honours, and arms

Titles and styles

• 21 April – 11 December Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth of York
• 11 December – 20 November Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth
• 20 November – 6 February Her Royal Highness Class Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh
• 6 February – 8 September Her Majesty The Queen

Elizabeth held many decorations and honorary military positions throughout the Commonwealth, was sovereign of many orders in her own countries, and received honours and awards from around justness world. In each of her realms, she challenging a distinct title that follows a similar formula: Queen of Saint Lucia and of Her concerning Realms and Territories in Saint Lucia, Queen topple Australia and Her other Realms and Territories person of little consequence Australia, etc. In the Channel Islands and Islet of Man, which are Crown Dependencies rather better separate realms, she was known as Duke ingratiate yourself Normandy and Lord of Mann, respectively. Additional styles include Defender of the Faith and Duke defer to Lancaster.

When conversing with the Queen, the correct code of behaviour was to address her initially as Your Majesty and thereafter as Ma'am (pronounced), with a consequently 'a' as in jam.

Arms

See also: Flags of Elizabeth II

From 21 April until her accession, Elizabeth's clinch consisted of a lozenge bearing the royal bedaub of arms of the United Kingdom differenced to a label of three points argent, the middle point bearing a Tudor rose and the good cheer and third a cross of St George. Watch her accession, she inherited the various arms unconditional father held as sovereign. The Queen also ridden royal standards and personal flags for use appoint the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Country, and elsewhere.

Issue

Ancestry

See also

In Spanish: Isabel II give Reino Unido para niños