The Queen's Biography

She was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary and was the first child of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, who at the time were The Duke and Duchess of York.

Early in 1947 Princess Elizabeth made her first official visit abroad, when she went with her parents, and her sister, Princess Margaret, to South Africa.

Later that year Elizabeth married her distant cousin Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in Westminster Abbey on 20th November 1947. On the eve of the wedding King George VI conferred various titles on Philip, including Duke of Edinburgh. Although she was only 21, the future Queen had known Prince Philip for many years.

The Queen replaced her father, King George VI, as monarch following his death on 6 February 1952, but her Coronation did not take place until over a year later on 2 June 1953.

As a monarch the Queen was busy. She was Patron or President of over 700 organisations, and undertook hundreds of engagements each year both at home and overseas. In 2004 they numbered 436.

According to Compton Miller's Who's Really Who:

"A virtual teetotaller, the Queen ...surprised the Queen Mother at Clarence House once by accepting a second glass with her lunch. 'Do you think it's wise darling? You know you've got to rule this afternoon!'"

The Queen and Prince Philip had three sons, and one daughter. Prince Charles and Princess Anne were born whilst she was still Princess Elizabeth; and Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were born when she was Queen.

The Queen was passionate about horses, of which she owned several. She had an impressive knowledge of horses' bloodlines.

In November 2007, The Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

On 20 December 2007, The Queen broke Queen Victoria's record to become the oldest British monarch.

On 29 December 2010, the Queen had a great-granddaughter born to her grandson Peter Phillips and his wife, Autumn.

Prince Philip died in 2021. The following year, the Queen celebrated her platinum jubilee - 70 years as monarch.

However, later that year, on 8 September 2022, the Queen died at Balmoral, aged 96.

She was the longest-running monarch in British history.

Her reign spanned 15 prime ministers from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss.

She was succeeded by her son, who became King Charles III.