queen elizabeth ii
TRANSCRIPT
Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen’s early lifeThe Queen was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London.
She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
At the time she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and her father, The Duke of York. But it was not expected that her father would become King, or that she would become Queen.
The Duke and Duchess of York with Princess Elizabeth
The Princess was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace. She was named after her mother, while her two middle names are those of her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Alexandra, and paternal grandmother, Queen Mary.
The Princess's early years were spent at 145 Piccadilly, the London house taken by her parents shortly after her birth, and at White Lodge in Richmond Park.
She also spent time at the country homes of her paternal grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, and her mother's parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore.
In 1930, Princess Elizabeth gained a sister, with the birth of Princess Margaret Rose. The family of four was very close.
The Queen’s early life
When she was six years old, her parents took over Royal
Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their own country home.
The Queen’s early life
Princess Elizabeth's quiet family life
came to an end in 1936, when her
grandfather, King George V, died. His
eldest son came to the throne as King
Edward VIII, but, before the end of the
year, King Edward VIII had decided to
give up the throne in order to marry the
woman he loved, Mrs Wallis Simpson.
Upon his abdication, Princess Elizabeth's father acceded to
the throne as King George VI, and in 1937 the two
Princesses attended their parents' coronation in
Westminster Abbey.
Princess Elizabeth was now first in line to the throne, and a
figure of even more intense public interest.
The Queen’s early life
Princess Elizabeth BBC Children's Hour Broadcast
1940
http://youtu.be/VJI9LPFQth4
Princess Elizabeth was educated at home with Princess
Margaret, her younger sister.
After her father succeeded to the throne in 1936 and she
became heir presumptive, she started to study constitutional
history and law as preparation for her future role.
Princess Elizabeth also studied art and music, learned to ride,
and became a strong swimmer. She won the Children's
Challenge Shield at London's Bath Club when she was
thirteen.
Princess Elizabeth enrolled as a Girl Guide when she was
eleven, and later became a Sea Ranger.
Education
In 1940, at the height of the Blitz, the young Princesses were
moved for their safety to Windsor Castle, where they spent
most of the war years.
It was a time of austerity and anxiety for the whole country,
including the Royal Family. But at Christmas time there was a
period of light relief when the young Princesses put on
pantomimes with the children of members of staff for the
enjoyment of her family and employees of the Royal
Household.
Education
In November 1947, she married
Philip Mountbatten (formerly
Prince Philip of Greece and
Denmark), who was created duke
of Edinburgh.
Wedding Day
Wedding Day 1947
The Queen’s Family
Prince Charles, born in 1948.
Princess Anne born in 1950
The Queen’s Family
Prince Andrew born in 1960
Prince Edward born in 1964
Coronation Day 1947In 1952, King George VI's illness
forced him to abandon his proposed
visit to Australia and New Zealand.
The Princess, accompanied by Prince
Philip, took his place.
On Wednesday, 6 February 1952,
Princess Elizabeth received the news
of her father's death and her own
accession to the throne, while staying
in a remote part of Kenya.
The tour had to be abandoned, and the young Princess flew back to Britain as Queen. She was greeted by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and other officials at the airport.
The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. It was a solemn ceremony conducted by Dr Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury.
Television brought home to hundreds of thousands of people around the Commonwealth the splendour and significance of the Coronation in a way never before possible.
Coronation Day 1947
Family tree
http://www.britroyals.com/windsor.htm
Present Day
The Queen has now reigned for 57 years and 10 months.
The Queen is now 83 years.
The Queen's Role
Although the Queen is no longer responsible for governing the country, she carries out a great many important tasks on behalf of the nation.
Head of State
As Head of State, the Queen goes on official State visits abroad. She also invites other world leaders to come to the United Kingdom. During their visit, Heads of State usually stay at Buckingham Palace, or sometimes at Windsor Castle or Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Head of the Armed Forces
The Queen is also the Head of the Armed Forces. She is the only person who can declare when the country is at war and when war is over, although she must take advice from her government first.
Head of the Church of England
The Queen is Head of the Church of England - a position that all British monarchs have held since it was founded by Henry VIII in the 1530s. The Queen appoints archbishops and bishops on the advice of the Prime Minister. The spiritual leader of the Church of England is the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Queen’s Role
Government DutiesEvery day 'red boxes' are delivered to the Queen's desk full of documents and reports from the government ministers and Commonwealth officials. They must all be read and, if necessary, signed by the Queen.Represents the NationThe Queen represents the nation at times of great celebration or sorrow. One example of this is Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph monument in Whitehall. The Queen lays a wreath there each year to honour the members of the armed forces who have died fighting for their country. Royal Garden PartiesAt least three Royal Garden Parties are held at Buckingham Palace each year and about 8,000 guests attend each one.VisitsAlongside her other duties the Queen spends a huge amount of time travelling around the country visiting hospitals, schools, factories and other places and organisations.
Why does Queen Elizabeth have two birthdays?
The Queen is very lucky because she has two birthdays, one in April and one in June.
When is the Queen's real birthday?
The Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April.
When does the Queen have her public and official birthday?
It has long been customary to celebrate the Sovereign’s birthday publicly on a day during the summer, when better weather is more likely.
Since 1805, the Sovereign’s 'official' summer birthday has been marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony, normally held on the second Saturday in June. It is also marked by the flying of the Union flag on government buildings, a 42-gun salute and the publication of the birthday honours list.
No particular ceremony is held on The Queen's true birthday, although the Union Flag is flown on public buildings.
Where does the Queen live?
The Queen does not just have one house she has many houses.
Buckingham Palace
Windsor Castle
Balmoral Castle Sandringham House