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Birth of Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth is born as the first child of King George VI (at that time: Prince Albert) and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later Elizabeth The Queen Mother). She was named after her mother, but her close family nicknamed her Lilibet. -
Babtism
Baby Elizabeth is baptised in Buckingham Palace's private chapel. Cosmo Lang, Archbishop of York, performed the baptism. Picture: Painting of Cosmo Lang. -
Birth of Princess Margaret
The Queen-to-be's sister, Princess Margaret of York, is born at Glamis Castle, Scotland.Her mother, The Duchess of York, wanted to name her Ann Margaret, as "Elizabeth and Ann go so well together." -
Edward VIII abdicates
Elizabeths uncle, Edward VIII, abdicates to marry Wallis Simpson. Making her father Albert, now George VI, King, and Elizabeth next in line to the throne. Picture: George VI on the right, Princess Elizabeth center frame. -
Marriage with Philip Mountbatten
Princess Elizabeth, 21, marries Philip Mountbacken in Westminister Abbey. Britain was still bleeding as a result of World War II, and Elizabeth's wedding gown was made of materials bought on ration coupons. -
Prince Charles is born
Princess Elizabeth gives birth to Charles at 9.14 in the evening. The birth occurs in Buckingham Palace, and the young prince is baptised a month later (December 15th) by Geoffrey Fisher, the Archbishop of Canterbury. -
Elizabeth is proclaimed Queen
King George VI dies after long term illness. Queen Elizabeth and Philip Mountbacken is on visit in Kenya when the news reaches them. Elizabeth is at that time proclaimed Queen, and chooses to keep 'Elizabeth' as her regnal name.
Picture: HULTON/GETTY -
Coronation
Elizabeth is coronated, making her Head of the Commonwealth and Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, Australia, and Ceylon. This was the first ever coronation to be televised. Watch clips from the coronation -
Silver Jubilee
Elizabeth celebrates 25 years since her coronation. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh went on a three month long trip throughout the UK and the Commonwealth to celebrate. -
Shot at during Trooping the Colour
When riding down The Mall in London, as part of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, the Queen is shot at by 17 year-old Marcus Sarjeant. Fortunately, the six fired shots were are blank. Serjeant was sentenced to five years in prison. Watch the event -
Annus Horribilis
In her 40th year as ruler over Britain, the Queen makes a speech where she refers to 1992 as her "Annus Horribilis" (year of horrors).
It was that year two of her children got divorced (Princess Anne) or separated (Prince Andrew and Prince Charles) from their wives. Also, the Windsor Castle recieved serious damage as result of a fire. Watch part of the speech. -
Golden Anniversary
The jubilee weekend kicks off in London, marking the Queen's 50th year of reign. Photo: HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY -
Diamond Wedding Anniversary
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrate 60 years as a married couple. The event is celebrated one day before the actual anniversary, as they married on 20 November 1947. In connection to the anniversary, a Jubilee Walkway was unveiled at Parliament Square. -
Diamond Jubilee
The central weekend of the Diamond Jubilee. It is now sixty years, on the day, since the Queen's coronation.
