Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, widely known as Queen Elizabeth II, was born on 21 April 1926 in London, England, at her father’s residence located at 17 Bruton Street. She was the elder daughter of George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, and a member of the House of Windsor. She had one younger sister, Princess Margaret.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor became heir presumptive to the British throne on 11 December 1936, following the abdication of her uncle Edward VIII, who relinquished the crown in favor of her father, George VI. During the final years of World War II, she received training in driving and vehicle maintenance and served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, demonstrating early commitment to national duty.

On 6 February 1952, following the death of her father, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor ascended the throne as Queen of the United Kingdom. Her coronation took place on 2 June 1953 and was the first to be fully televised, symbolizing a new era for the British monarchy. She became not only Queen of the United Kingdom but also Head of the Commonwealth and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, as well as Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces.

Queen Elizabeth II was sovereign of numerous independent states during her reign. In addition to the United Kingdom, she was Queen of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Fiji. As Head of the Commonwealth, she presided over an association comprising 77 member states, holding the title of monarch or head of state in 42 countries at various times.

On 20 November 1947, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor married her third cousin, Prince Philip Mountbatten, formerly Prince of Greece and Denmark and a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, at Westminster Abbey. Prior to the wedding, King George VI granted Philip the titles Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich. Their marriage endured for more than seven decades and became one of the most stable royal unions in modern history.

The couple had four children: Charles, Prince of Wales (born 14 November 1948), Princess Anne (born 15 August 1950), Prince Andrew, Duke of York (born 19 February 1960), and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (born 10 March 1964). Through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Queen Elizabeth II became the matriarch of a globally recognized royal family.

Prince Philip Mountbatten passed away on 9 April 2021 in London, England, at the age of 100. Queen Elizabeth II continued her constitutional duties until the final months of her life.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor died peacefully on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland at the age of 96. Her death marked the end of the longest reign in British history and the conclusion of an era defined by continuity, stability, and unwavering dedication to public service.

Source: Biyografiler.com