21st April 1926 – 8th September 2022
Who Was Queen Elizabeth II?
Princess Elizabeth, later to become Queen
Elizabeth II, was born on 21st April 1926 in
Mayfair, London.
She was the first child of The Duke and
Duchess of York, who later became King
George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
The Queen’s birthday was officially
celebrated in Britain on the second
Saturday of June each year. This special
day was referred to as ‘The Trooping of the
Colour’.
The Queen was known as the British
Sovereign.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Trooping of the Colour
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Elizabeth’s Family
In 1936, King Edward VIII stepped
down from the throne.
Elizabeth, along with her sister
Margaret, became princesses when King
George VI, their father, was crowned.
Their mother became Queen Elizabeth.
Discuss It
Do you know the name of the other
man in this photograph?
Answer
Sir Winston Churchill. He was the British prime minister from 1940-1945
and 1951-1955.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Princess Elizabeth’s Youth
Princess Elizabeth was taught at
home, not at school. She studied
art and music and enjoyed drama
and swimming.
When she was 11, she joined the
Girl Guides.
She undertook her first public
engagement on her 16th birthday,
when she inspected the soldiers of
the Grenadier Guards. They guard
the royal residences.
During the Second World War, she
served in the army as a mechanic.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Royal Family
Princes Elizabeth got married in
Westminster Abbey on 20th November
1947, when she was 21 years old.
She married Prince Philip, also known
as the Duke of Edinburgh, who was
the son of Prince Andrew of Greece.
In 1948, their first child, The Prince of
Wales (Prince Charles), was born.
Two years later, The Princess Royal
(Princess Anne), was born. The Queen
went on to have two more children:
The Duke of York (Prince Andrew) in
1960 and The Earl of Wessex (Prince
Edward) in 1964.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
A New Queen
In 1952, when she was just 25, Princess Elizabeth’s father, King George VI,
died. Princess Elizabeth was in Kenya when she heard the sad news. She
immediately returned home and was proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II two
days later.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation took place
in 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London.
In 2012, she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee which
marked 60 years since her accession to the throne. In
2022, she celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70
years as monarch.
Discuss It
How do you think Princess Elizabeth felt when she became Queen?
proclaim – Make something official.
coronation – Ceremony of crowning a king or queen.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Role of The Queen
The Queen carried out many important tasks on behalf of the nation.
• The Queen was Head of the Church of England. She appointed bishops
and archbishops on the advice of the prime minister.
• The Queen was Head of the Armed Forces.
She was the only person who could declare
and end war with other countries.
• The Queen had to be impartial in matters of
government and was never allowed to vote.
However, she met weekly with the prime
minister and opened parliament, amongst
other duties.
appoint - To arrange who will take the position.
impartial - Not supporting any particular side.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Representing the Country
As Head of State, The Queen travelled abroad on
official state visits. She also invited other Heads of
State from around the world to visit the UK.
The Queen represented the country at
times of celebration or sorrow. One of her
most important duties was on
Remembrance Sunday, when The Queen
laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London
to remember members of the armed forces
who had died fighting for their country.
Discuss It
Has anyone in your family fought for their country?
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Queen and the Commonwealth
The Commonwealth is a group of 54
countries, almost all of which were
formerly under British rule as part of
the British Empire.
After becoming independent, many
countries decided that they still
wanted to remain within the
Commonwealth. The Queen was
Head of the Commonwealth and
made visits to Commonwealth
countries during her reign.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Commonwealth Games
“Commonwealth Games marathon events” by Jimmy Harris is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event which
involves athletes from Commonwealth countries. The Queen often attended
the games to open or close them.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Queen’s Homes
Her Majesty's official London residence was Buckingham Palace but she
also spent lots of time at Windsor Castle.
The Royal Family chose to use the name ‘Windsor’ as their surname after
Windsor Castle.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Favourite Places
The Queen loved Scotland. She spent her summers at Balmoral Castle. Her
official residence in Scotland was The Palace of Holyrood House in
Edinburgh.
Balmoral Sandringham
The Queen also enjoyed spending time at Sandringham House in Norfolk,
which she inherited from her father.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Diamond Jubilee
In 2012, The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. She had been Queen
for 60 years. Celebrations and parties were held across the country.
The Diamond Jubilee Pageant took place on the Thames and included
1000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around
the world. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh travelled in the Royal
Barge which formed the centrepiece of the flotilla.
A huge concert was performed
outside Buckingham Palace and a
service at St Paul’s Cathedral
rounded off The Queen’s Diamond
Jubilee celebrations.
“IMG_2516” by Ian Patterson is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Long-Reigning Monarch
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning British monarch. She
surpassed her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned for
63 years and seven months.
During her lifetime, she had 8
grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
At the time of her death, she had reigned
for 70 years.
Discuss It
Did you ever see, or meet, The Queen?
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Events in the Life of The Queen
1964 1992
1936 The A fire 2015
Her father Queen’s destroys The Queen 2021
becomes youngest part of becomes the Prince
King. child is Windsor longest-serving Philip,
born. Castle. monarch. dies.
1920
1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
1926 1952 1977 2002 2016 2022
Elizabeth King George The Princess The Queen
Alexandra VI dies and Queen’s Margaret and Queen Elizabeth II,
Mary is she becomes Silver The Queen turns dies.
born. Queen. Jubilee. Mother die. 90.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Where on this timeline would you put the following events?
1997 – Princess Diana is killed in a road accident.
1982 – Prince Andrew returns safely from the Falklands War.
1973 – The Queen opens the Sydney Opera House.
1953 – Princess Elizabeth is crowned Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster
Abbey.
2012 – The Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee.
2015
1964 The Queen
1936 The Queen’s 1992 becomes the
King George VI is youngest child A fire destroys part longest-serving
crowned. is born. of Windsor Castle. monarch.
1926 1952 1977 2002
Elizabeth King George VI dies The Queen’s Princess Margaret and
Alexandra and Princess Elizabeth Silver Jubilee. The Queen Mother die.
Mary is born. becomes Queen.
Fun Facts About The Queen
She had nine thrones; six at She was the first, and so far the
Buckingham Palace! only, female member of the Royal
Family to serve in the armed
forces.
In 1954, she became the first
serving monarch to
circumnavigate the globe on a Corgis were her favourite dogs.
six month round-the-world tour She owned more than 30 of them
with her husband. during her reign. She also liked
Dorgis – a cross between a Corgi
and a Dachshund.
For her 6th birthday, she was
given a miniature Welsh cottage. She was 5'4" (160cm) tall.
She sent cards to congratulate
She ‘sat’ for her portrait to be people when they reached the age
painted over 130 times! of 100.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Reflection
For most British people, The
Queen has been the only
monarch of their lifetime.
You may be feeling shocked
and saddened by her death.
You might like to speak with
an adult after the lesson.
You may want to pay your
respect by taking a moment of
silence to remember The Queen.
“Title of Image Used” by [Author] is licensed under CC BY 2.0
