We chart HM Queen Elizabeth II’s journey from young princess who was third in line to the throne to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch
1926, 21 April: Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor is born at 2.40am at her parent’s home in 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London.She was the first child of The Duke and duch*ess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
1926, 29 May: The young princess is christened 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.
1930s: The princess’s early years arespent at 145 Piccadilly, the London house taken by her parents after her birth, and at White Lodge in Richmond Park.
1930, 21 August: Elizabeth’s sister,Princess Margaret Rose, is born.
1936:Her parents takeover Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their country home. In the grounds of Royal Lodge Princess Elizabeth hasher own small house, Y Bwthyn Bach (the Little Cottage), which was given to her by the people of Wales in 1932.
1936, 20 January: Princess Elizabeth’s 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.
1936,11 December: Elizabeth’s father becomes king when his older brother, King Edward VIII steps down. Princess Elizabeth is now heiress presumptive.
1942: Her first public engagement. She inspects the soldiers of the Grenadier Guards on her 16th birthday.
1947, 20 November: Elizabeth marriesPhilip Mountbattenin Westminster Abbey on 20 November.
1947: Her first official overseas visit. She celebrates her 21st birthday on a tour of South Africa.
1949 to1951: Shelives for time in MaltawherePrince Philip isstationed as a serving Royal Navy officer. It is the only foreign country she lives in and island life affords her a relatively normal existence.
1948, 14 November:The princess’sfirst child Prince Charles isborn atBuckingham Palace. She is 22.
1950, 15 August:Princess Anne isbornClarence House on 15 August 1950.
1952:Her father, King George VI, dies in his sleep. The Princess Elizabeth is in Kenyawhenhe learnsof her father’s death.
1953, June 2: Her coronation takesplace in Westminster Abbey. She iscrowned Queen Elizabeth II, at age 27.
1960, February 19:Prince Andrew isborn at Buckingham Palace on February. He isthe first child born to a reigning monarch Queen Victoria’s youngest child, Princess Beatrice, in 1857.
1964, March 10: Prince Edward isborn at Buckingham Palace.
1977:The Queen’s Silver Jubilee – marking25 years on the throneiscelebratedwithCommonwealth visits and Jubilee Day, June 7, 1977, ismarked witha public holiday, and a thanksgiving service in St Paul’s Cathedraland street parties around the country.
1986: The Queen celebrates her 60th birthday.
1992, 20 November: A fire wrecks part of the Queen’s home at Windsor Castle.
1997: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh celebrate their Golden Weddingwith aspecial garden party for couples also celebrating their Golden Wedding at Buckingham Palace.
1997,31 August: Princess Diana is killed in a car accident in France.
2002, 9 February: The Queen’s younger sister Princess Margaret diesfollowing a long illness.
2002, 30 March:The Queen Mother dies at the age of 101.
2002:During thisyear she also marksher Golden Jubilee –spending 50 years on the throne.
2006, 21 April: The Queen celebrates her 80th birthday.
2012, 4 June: The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is celebrated with a weekendspectacular outside Buckingham Palace.
2015, September 9: Queen becomes the longest-reigning monarch. She had reigned for 23,226 days, 16 hours and approximately 30 minutes –surpassing the reign of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.
2016, April 21: TheQueen turns 90years old.
2017, February6: TheQueen celebrates her Sapphire Jubilee, marking 65 years since she ascended the throne.
2017, November 20: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrate their Platinum Wedding Anniversary, 70 years of marriage.
2021, April 9: The Duke of Edinburgh, HM Queen Elizabeth’s beloved husband, dies, aged 99 at Windsor Castle.
2022, June 2-5: HM Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking a remarkable 70 years on the throne with a four-day celebration across the country.
2022, September 8: HM Queen Elizabeth II dies peacefully at Balmoral at the age of 96. Just a few days before she had installed the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, to government. Her son, Charles, is now the King.
Read more:
In memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
HM Queen Elizabeth II: 10 of our favourite anecdotes
HM The King makes a statement on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II
