English Literature

Queen Elizabeth II is the reigning monarch and Head of State of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms (Her Majesty The Queen, n.d.). Christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, she ascended the throne in 1952 upon the death of her father King George VI. Her mostly peaceful reign has lasted more than five decades and is marked by enormous changes in her countrys powers and its peoples lives (Queen Elizabeth II Biography, n.d.).

Queen Elizabeth was born on 21 April 1926 as the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (Her Majesty The Queen, n.d.). Her sister, Princess Margaret Rose was born in 1930, completing the family of four. In the initial years Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were educated at home. After her father succeeded the throne in 1936, she became heir presumptive and was taught constitutional history at prestigious Eton College (Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, n.d.).

Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, a fourth cousin, in a simple ceremony in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. The couples first child, Prince Charles, was born in 1948 and Princess Anne was born in 1950, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were born in 1960 and 1964 respectively, after Princess Elizabeth became the Queen (Her Majesty The Queen, n.d.).

Princess Elizabeth spent the first few years of her married life enjoying the life of a naval wife and a young mother. During this time she also paid official visits to several countries, accompanied by Prince Philip. On 6 February 1952, during her visit to Kenya, she got the news of her fathers death and her accession to the throne. The Coronation ceremony took place on 2 June 1953 (Her Majesty The Queen, n.d.).

The 1980s saw the wedding of Prince Charles with Lady Diana and Prince Andrew with Sarah Ferguson. However, both the marriages were marred by marital difficulties and ended in divorce. Princess Dianas death in 1997 was a major blow to the royal family and the Queen stood by the side of her grandsons as she comforted them through the trying times (Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, n.d.).

In 2002, the Queen completed fifty years of her reign. She turned 80 in 2006 and celebrated her Diamond Wedding Anniversary in 2007. She is perhaps the most widely travelled monarchs in the British History. Queen Elizabeth has witnessed sweeping changes in the society during her lifetime. Yet, through all the ups and downs of her reign, the Queen herself has remained a highly respected figure.