On this day in 1926, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London. Elizabeth’s father was Albert, Duke of York, second son of King George V. Upon the King’s death, Elizabeth’s uncle Edward VIII ascended to the throne, but he abdicated before his coronation in order to marry the divorced socialite Wallis Simpson. Albert was thus reluctantly forced to take the throne, and he adopted the royal name of George VI. Despite his ill-preparedness, and his difficulties with public speaking, George VI was a successful and popular monarch, mostly due to his steadfast presence during the dark years of the Second World War. Elizabeth, the king’s eldest child, was also involved in the royal family’s efforts to boost wartime morale, and she attained the rank of Junior Commander in the women’s branch of the British army. Elizabeth met Philip Mountbatten in the 1930s, and the couple married in November 1947. They had their first child, Prince Charles, on November 14th 1948, followed by Anne, Andrew, and Edward. The King died on February 6th, 1952, and the crown fell to the 25 year old Elizabeth. At the time of her father’s death, Elizabeth was visiting Kenya, but she returned immediately upon hearing the news. Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on June 2nd 1953, in a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey which was the first televised coronation. Queen Elizabeth II remains on the throne, and is Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Her reign has seen 13 UK Prime Ministers, the decolonisation of Africa, and several wars. The monarchy serves little practical purpose in modern Britain, and there is a signficant republican movement in the UK. However, as the celebrations for her 90th birthday are underway, the Queen remains an overwhelmingly popular figure.
90 years ago today
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