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BIRTH
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, daughter of the Dukes of York, was born on February 21, 1926 -
The Year of Three Kings
Elizabeth's life changed forever when King George V died to be succeeded to the throne by her uncle Edward who then abdicated shortly afterwards, so Elizabeth's father was crowned -
Elizabeth's broadcast to the children
During World War Two Princess Elizabeth did her part to boost public morale. In 1940 she made a broadcast to Britain's children. -
Elizabeth's first tour abroad
On her 21st birthday Elizabeth went on an official tour of South Africa, delivering a speech dedicating herself to the service of the Commonwealth. -
A royal wedding
Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten were married at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947 -
Starting a family
Elizabeth's first child, Charles, was born in 1948 -
Elizabeth becomes Queen
King George VI had been in poor health for years. The King passed away while Elizabeth was touring Kenya. The young princess became Queen while visiting a treetop hotel. The next day Elizabeth requested no photographs be taken -
Queen under threat
A man fired six shots at the Queen while she was riding down The Mall. The shots turned out to be blanks. The man, Marcus Serjeant, was tried and sentenced to five years in prison under the treason act. The following year, another man broke into the Queen's bedroom in a startling breach of security at Buckingham Palace. -
Princess Diana dies
Princess Diana died in an accident in 1997. -
Death of her mother and sister
Fifty years after her father's death, both the Queen's mother and sister died within two months of each other. -
Elizabeth II becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch
On 9 September 2015 Elizabeth II overtook Victoria to become Britain’s longest reigning monarch.
