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{{Infobox royalty
|image = File:Queen Elizabeth II official portrait for 1959 tour (retouched) (cropped) (3-to-4 aspect ratio).jpg
|alt = Photograph of Queen Elizabeth II, in 1959
|caption = Portrait of Elizabeth II, 1959
|succession =
{{Collapsible list|title=[[Queen of the United Kingdom]] and the other [[Commonwealth realm]]s|titlestyle=line-height:normal;|framestyle=padding:0 0.6em;
|
----
{{Aligned table|fullwidth=on|class=nowrap|colstyle=padding:0;|rowstyle=font-weight:normal;
|'''[[Monarchy of Canada|Canada]]''' | 1952–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of Australia|Australia]]''' | 1952–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of New Zealand|New Zealand]]''' | 1952–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of the Bahamas|The Bahamas]]''' | 1973–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of Grenada|Grenada]]''' | 1974–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of Papua New Guinea|Papua New Guinea]]''' | 1975–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of Solomon Islands|Solomon Islands]]''' | 1978–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of Tuvalu|Tuvalu]]''' | 1978–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of Saint Lucia|St Lucia]]''' | 1979–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|St Vincent and the<br />Grenadines]]''' | 1979–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of Belize|Belize]]''' | 1981–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of Antigua and Barbuda|Antigua and Barbuda]]''' | 1981–2022
|'''[[Monarchy of Saint Kitts and Nevis|St Kitts and Nevis]]''' | 1983–2022
|[[Monarchy of Pakistan|Pakistan]] | 1952–1956
|[[Monarchy of South Africa|South Africa]] | 1952–1961
|[[Dominion of Ceylon|Ceylon]] | 1952–1972
|[[Queen of Ghana|Ghana]] | 1957–1960
|[[Queen of Nigeria|Nigeria]] | 1960–1963
|[[Queen of Sierra Leone|Sierra Leone]] | 1961–1971
|[[Queen of Tanganyika|Tanganyika]] | 1961–1962
|[[Queen of Trinidad and Tobago|Trinidad and Tobago]] | 1962–1976
|[[Queen of Uganda|Uganda]] | 1962–1963
|[[Queen of Kenya|Kenya]] | 1963–1964
|[[Queen of Malawi|Malawi]] | 1964–1966
|[[Queen of Malta|Malta]] | 1964–1974
|[[Queen of the Gambia|The Gambia]] | 1965–1970
|[[Queen of Guyana|Guyana]] | 1966–1970
|[[Queen of Mauritius|Mauritius]] | 1968–1992
|[[Queen of Fiji|Fiji]] | 1970–1987
|[[Queen of Barbados|Barbados]] | 1966–2021
|[[Queen of Jamaica|Jamaica]] | 1962–2022
}}}}
| reign = 6 February 1952{{sndash}}8 September 2022
| coronation = 2 June 1953
| predecessor = [[George VI]]
| successor = [[Charles III]]
| birth_name = Princess Elizabeth of York
| birth_date   = {{Birth date|df=yes|1926|04|21}}
| birth_place  = [[Mayfair]], London, {{avoid wrap|England}}
| death_date   = {{Death date and age|2022|09|08|1926|04|21|df=yes}}
| death_place  = [[Balmoral Castle]], [[Aberdeenshire]], {{avoid wrap|Scotland}}
| burial_date  = 19 September 2022
| burial_place = King George VI Memorial Chapel, [[St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle]]
| spouse = {{Marriage|[[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]]|20 November 1947|9 April 2021|reason=d}}
| issue-link = #Issue
| issue = {{Plainlist|
* [[Charles III]]
* [[Anne, Princess Royal]]
* [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York]]
* [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex]]
}}
| full name = Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor
| house = [[House of Windsor|Windsor Castle]]
| father = [[George VI]]
| mother = [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon]]
| signature =
}}
'''Elizabeth II''' ('''Elizabeth Alexandra Mary'''; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was [[Head of the Commonwealth]] and the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Queen of the United Kingdom]] and the other [[Commonwealth realm]]s from 1952 until her death in 2022.<ref>[[British overseas territories|13 UK Overseas Territories]] and three [[Crown dependencies|Crown Dependencies]]. She is also the [[monarch]] of 15 other [[countries]]: [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Jamaica]], [[Barbados]], the [[Bahamas]], [[Grenada]], [[Papua New Guinea]], the [[Solomon Islands]], [[Tuvalu]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Belize]], and [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]].</ref> 

Elizabeth became queen when her father, [[George VI of the United Kingdom|King George VI]], died on 6 February 1952. At the time of her death, she had ruled longer than any other [[king]] or queen in the [[history]] of the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/09/06/elizabeth-set-to-beat-victorias-record-as-longest-reigning-monarch-in-british-history_n_5777134.html|title=Elizabeth Set To Beat Victoria's Record As Longest Reigning Monarch In British History|work=The Huffington Post|date=6 September 2014|accessdate=28 September 2014}}</ref> She had also ruled longer than any other living [[Monarch|king or queen]] in the world, since the death of [[Thailand]]'s [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] on 13 October 2016. She was the second-longest reigning monarch in history.

In 1947, Elizabeth married [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]], who died in 2021. Elizabeth and Philip had four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She [[Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II|died on 8 September 2022]] at the age of 96, and was succeeded by her eldest son, [[Charles III]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=2022-09-08|title=Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace announces|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886|access-date=2022-09-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=The moment Queen's death was announced|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-21927209|access-date=2022-09-08}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Elizabeth was born in her grandparents' home at 17 Bruton street, [[Mayfair]], [[London]] on 21 April 1926. Her father was Prince Albert, Duke of York, who later became George VI. Her mother was Elizabeth, Duchess of York.

[[File:Queen Mary with Princess Elizabeth and Margaret.jpg|thumb|left|Princess Elizabeth with Queen Mary and Princess Margaret]]

Elizabeth was the granddaughter of [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] and Queen Mary. She was named after her mother. Her nickname was "Lilibet".

Elizabeth had one sister, [[Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon|Princess Margaret]]. Margaret was born in 1930. The two young princesses were taught at home. They had a [[governess]] named Marion Crawford.

Elizabeth was third in the [[line of succession to the British Throne]]. The first in line was her uncle, the Prince of Wales. The second in line was her father, the Duke of York.

Elizabeth's grandfather, King George V, died in 1936. Her uncle became [[Edward VIII of the United Kingdom|King Edward VIII]]. He was king only for a short time. He [[abdication|abdicated]].

His brother, Elizabeth's father the Duke of York, became [[George VI of the United Kingdom|King George VI]].

Elizabeth was 13 years old when [[World War II]] started. [[London]] was bombed. Elizabeth and Margaret were moved to [[Windsor Castle]]. This was for their safety. People thought that they should be sent to [[Canada]]. Their mother did not approve this idea.

Elizabeth joined the British army in 1945. She trained to drive trucks. She trained as a mechanic. In 1947, she made her first official trip outside Britain. She went with her parents to [[South Africa]]. She made a speech on her 22nd birthday. She said her whole life would be devoted to the service of British Commonwealth and Empire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4098.asp|title=Historic speeches: 21st birthday speech|publisher=British Monarchy Official Website|accessdate=2007-09-09|archive-date=2005-10-01|archive-url=https://archive.today/20051001035431/http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4098.asp|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

== Succession ==
[[File:Elizabeth and Philip 1953.jpg|thumb|Elizabeth II in 1953]]

In 1951, the King's health was poor. He could not go to many public events. Princess Elizabeth started to make official visits for him. The King died on 6 February 1952.<ref>{{cite book| last1 = Lacey| first1 = Robert| last2 = Comp| first2 = Robert Lacey| title = Majesty: Elizabeth II and the House of Windsor| url = https://archive.org/details/majestyelizabet000lace| year = 1977| publisher = New York : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich| isbn = 978-0-15-155684-7| page = [https://archive.org/details/majestyelizabet000lace/page/150 150] }}</ref> Elizabeth was crowned Queen on 2 June 1953. The ceremony was held in [[Westminster Abbey]]. She wore a dress that was decorated with the national flowers of the countries of the Commonwealth.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.nga.gov.au/ByAppointment/| last1=Cotton| first1=Belinda| last2=Ramsey| first2=Ron| title=By Appointment: Norman Hartnell's sample for the Coronation dress of Queen Elizabeth II| publisher=National Gallery of Australia| access-date=12 February 2010| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530044811/http://www.nga.gov.au/ByAppointment/| archive-date=30 May 2012| url-status=dead}}</ref> Many people bought TV sets to watch the event.

== Reign ==
In 1952, the Queen and Prince Philip moved into [[Buckingham Palace]] in central London. This is the main official home of the monarch. Her [[coronation]] took place in [[1953]].

Her early years as Queen were spent traveling to many places. In 1953, the Queen and Prince Philip began an around the world tour in the Royal Yacht, ''Britannia''. Their tour went for six months. She was the first reigning monarch to visit [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and [[Fiji]].

In October 1957, she made an official visit to the [[United States]]. She spoke to the [[United Nations General Assembly]]. She toured [[Canada]]. She became the first monarch to open the nation's [[Parliament]]. The Queen liked going to Canada. She called Canada her "home away from home".<ref name="CRHT2">{{cite web
| url = http://www.crht.ca/DiscoverMonarchyFiles/QueenElizabethII.html
| publisher = Canadian Royal Heritage Trust
| title = Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada
| accessdate = 6 March 2007
| archive-date = 3 February 2007
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070203130727/http://www.crht.ca/DiscoverMonarchyFiles/QueenElizabethII.html
| url-status = dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.cbc.ca/500f.asp?id=1-69-70-236|title=1964 Quebec visit – speech|publisher=CBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030725125811/http://archives.cbc.ca/500f.asp?id=1-69-70-236|archive-date=2003-07-25}}</ref>

In February 1961, she visited [[India]], [[Iran]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Nepal]] for the first time. Since then, the Queen made visits to most Commonwealth countries. She had also been to most European countries and many countries outside [[Europe]].<ref name="chal" />

In 1966, the [[Aberfan disaster]], which was a collapse of a [[colliery]] [[spoil tip]] onto the village of [[Aberfan]] in [[Glamorgan]], [[Wales]]. It killed 144 people, most of whom were children. She decided not to visit the village in the aftermath because she thought her presence would take attention away from finding survivors. It was argued that her visit would calm the chaos. Elizabeth visited 8 days later. It is said that not going to Aberfan straight away is her biggest regret.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Forsey|first=Zoe|date=2020-07-24|title=Queen's 'biggest regret' from her reign - and she still thinks about tragic day|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/queens-biggest-mistake-reign-still-22390615|access-date=2023-09-20|website=mirror|language=en}}</ref>

In 1991, she became the first British monarch to speak to a joint session of the [[United States Congress]]. She goes to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings. She is the most widely travelled head of state in history.<ref name="chal">{{cite web
| author = Challands, Sarah
| title = Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 80th birthday
| date = 25 April 2006
| publisher = CTV Television Network News
| url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060418/queen_liz_birthday_060418
| accessdate = 13 June 2007
| archiveurl = https://archive.today/20120530044819/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060418/queen_liz_birthday_060418
| archivedate = 30 May 2012
| url-status = dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode
| title = The Real Queen
| date = 1 January 2002}}</ref>

Some people in Australia wanted a republic, with an elected or appointed president as Head of State instead of the Queen. In [[1999]], the people of Australia were asked in a [[Plebiscite|referendum]] whether they wanted a republic. The decision of the people was to remain a monarchy. The Queen visited Australia the following year and said that she would continue to serve Australians as she had done for 48 years.

In [[1997]], [[Charles III|Prince Charles]]' ex-wife [[Diana, Princess of Wales|Lady Diana Spencer]] died in a car crash. The royal family went through a period of criticism from the media and public because the divorce had been very controversial. 
[[File:Queen Elizabeth II in March 2015.jpg|thumb|Elizabeth in her later years]]
In the late [[1990s]], there were "referendums" in which the people of Scotland and Wales were asked if they wanted parliaments that were separate from the parliament of the United Kingdom. This was called a "devolution policy". As a result, the new Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly of Wales, were set up. The Queen opened the first sessions of these two bodies. 

In May 2007, the Queen and Prince Philip made a state visit to the [[United States]], in honour of the 400th anniversary of the [[Jamestown, Virginia|Jamestown]] settlement.

On September 6 2022, two days before her death, the Queen met the new [[Prime Minister]] [[Liz Truss]] and gave her permission to start her government. This was the Queen's last official act before her death.

== Changes to the Commonwealth ==
[[File:Personal flag of Queen Elizabeth II.svg|thumb|The Queen's personal standard, which is used in her role as Head of the Commonwealth.|left]]

When Elizabeth became Queen on 6 February 1952, she was officially Queen of the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[South Africa]], [[Pakistan]] and Ceylon (now called [[Sri Lanka]]). These were the Commonwealth countries. She was also Queen of the Union of [[South Africa]] (which became a republic in 1961).

There were many more countries that she also ruled, because they belonged to the British Empire. One by one, many of the countries became independent, and as they gained independence she remained Queen of many of them. Altogether, she was sovereign of 32 nations.

Some of the countries she was once Queen of are now [[Republic|republics]] and have a [[president]] as "Head of State". Some of them kept the Queen as "Head of State". Queen Elizabeth II was the only monarch of more than one independent nation. The old British Empire became the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].

It includes both monarchies and republics. It is now called "The Commonwealth". The Queen is the Head of the Commonwealth. She worked hard to keep peace and good communication between all the nations that are members. At the time of her death, Queen Elizabeth II was head of state of fifteen countries including the UK. 

== Relations with governments and other countries ==
[[File:Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip sit on thrones before a full Parliament.jpg|thumb|Queen Elizabeth and [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Philip]] sitting before a [[parliament]]]]
Elizabeth II was friends with many world leaders. Her first Prime Minister of Australia, Sir [[Robert Menzies]] called her "My Dear" and recited a poem that said "I will love her till I die". She has friendships with [[Mary Robinson]], President of Ireland (1990–1997) and [[George W. Bush]], who was the first [[President of the United States|American President]] in more than 80 years to stay at Buckingham Palace. [[Nelson Mandela]], in a BBC documentary, called her "my friend, Elizabeth".

Ever since she became queen, Elizabeth spent about three hours every day "doing the boxes". The "boxes" are two large red boxes that were brought to her from the Parliament every day. They are full of state papers sent to her from her various departments, embassies, and government offices.<ref>Information supplied by the Royal Household to a parliamentary inquiry into the workings of the monarchy in the early 1970s.</ref> One of the most famous photos taken of Elizabeth as a teenager shows her with her father, the King, learning about "the boxes". Because she had been doing this since 1952, she knew a great deal about the government of the UK.

== Death and funeral ==
{{main|Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II}}

On 8 September 2022, Buckingham Palace said that the Queen was under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors said that they were concerned by her health. The statement read, "Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral."<ref>{{cite web|date=8 September 2022|title=Queen's doctors concerned for her health - palace|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62836057|access-date=8 September 2022|website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Caroline|date=8 September 2022|title=Queen under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors’ concerns|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/08/queen-under-medical-supervision-at-balmoral-after-doctors-concerns|access-date=8 September 2022|website=The Guardian}}</ref> The Queen's four children, along with Prince William, Prince Harry, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, travelled to be with her.<ref>{{cite web|date=8 September 2022|title=Queen under medical supervision as doctors are concerned for her health. Prince Charles, Camilla and Prince William are currently travelling to Balmoral, Clarence House and Kensington Palace said|url=https://news.sky.com/story/queen-under-medical-supervision-as-doctors-are-concerned-for-her-health-12692805|access-date=8 September 2022|website=Sky News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Shaw|first=Neil|date=8 September 2022|title=Duke of York, Princess Anne and Prince Edward all called to Queen's side|url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/duke-york-princess-anne-prince-7562410|access-date=8 September 2022|website=Plymouth Live}}</ref> Her death was announced in the evening of the same day.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral and Procession (19.Sep.2022) - 24.jpg|left|thumb|The Queen's coffin]]
Her [[state funeral]] was on 19 September.<ref>{{cite web|title=Funeral for Queen Elizabeth II to be held September 19|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/10/uk/queen-elizabeth-ii-funeral-plans-intl/index.html|publisher=CNN|accessdate=September 10, 2022}}</ref>

Her daughter [[Anne, Princess Royal|Princess Anne]] registered the death certificate of Elizabeth II. It said she died at 8 September 2022 at 15:10 [[BST]] at [[Balmoral Castle]]. It also said she died of [[old age]] including [[osteoporosis]]

It was well known that Elizabeth never planned to [[Abdication|abdicate]], though she took on fewer public engagements as she grew older and Prince Charles took on more of her duties. On [[September 8]], [[2022]], Queen Elizabeth died at [[Balmoral Castle]]. Prince Charles succeeded her as the monarch.

== Personal life ==
[[File:Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh wedding portrait.jpg|thumb|234x234px|Wedding of Elizabeth and Philip]]
Princess Elizabeth married [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]] on 20 November 1947. The wedding was held in [[Westminster Abbey]]. The couple lived mostly at [[Clarence House]] in London.

The couple had four children. [[Charles III|Charles]] was born on 14 November 1948. Their second child, [[Anne, Princess Royal|Anne]], was born on 15 August 1950. Their son [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York|Andrew]] was born on 19 February 1960. Their son [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|Edward]] was born on 10 March 1964. The princes and princess sometimes use the name Mountbatten-Windsor. This is their official last name when they need one (royal families rarely use them).<ref>Prince of Wales's press office.</ref>

Prince Philip died on 9 April 2021 at [[Windsor Castle]], aged 99.

In February 2022, Elizabeth II tested positive for [[COVID-19]] after having cold-like symptoms.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Dulcie|last2=Durbin|first2=Adam|date=20 February 2022|title=The Queen tests positive for Covid|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC News|agency=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60453566|access-date=20 February 2022}}</ref>
=== Faith and duty ===
Elizabeth II, as the Monarch of the United Kingdom, was the "Supreme Governor" of the [[Church of England]] and sworn protector of the [[Church of Scotland]]. She was very interested in the Church of England, but the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] runs the church. She rarely attended the yearly meeting of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

The Queen was deeply religious. In her Christmas Day television broadcast in 2000, she said:
{{cquote|To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me, the teachings of Christ, and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4656.asp
| title = Historic speeches: Christmas Broadcast 2000
| author = Elizabeth II
| date = 25 December 2000
| publisher = British Monarchy Official Website
| accessdate = 9 September 2007
| archive-date = 24 December 2005
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20051224062105/http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4656.asp
| url-status = bot: unknown
}}</ref>}}

The Queen regularly went to church wherever she was: at St. George's Chapel at [[Windsor Castle]], St. Mary Magdalene Church at [[Sandringham House]], Crathie Kirk at [[Balmoral Castle]], and Canongate Kirk in [[Edinburgh]], when she stayed there in [[Holyroodhouse]], her official home in Scotland.

The Queen often met with leaders from other religions as well. In 1980, she became the first British Monarch to visit the Vatican, where she was welcomed by [[Pope John Paul II]]. She made another visit 20 years later on 17 October 2000.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/17/newsid_3966000/3966411.stm On this Day, 17 October 1980]</ref> Queen Elizabeth II is Patron of "The Council of Christians and Jews" in the UK.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.ccj.org.uk/Presidents.html
| title = Presidents, Vice Presidents and Board
| publisher = Council of Christians and Jews
| accessdate = 9 September 2007
| archive-date = 9 July 2009
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090709092912/http://www.ccj.org.uk/Presidents.html
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

The Queen showed a very strong sense of duty, ever since she was a girl. Her father, King George VI, was not meant to be king. Her uncle became king when her grandfather died. But he fell in love with an American woman who was divorced, and that wasn't allowed. So he had to give up being king very shortly after ascending. George VI didn't want to be king, because he was quite nervous and had a stammer. However, Elizabeth's grandfather said that he didn't think her uncle was very good as a king, and wanted George to reign, then Elizabeth. From the moment she realised that one day she would be Queen, she became very interested in her duties and did all she could to help her father. Her promise to serve her people all her life had always been very important to her. Some people thought that, when she was old, perhaps she would retire ("abdicate") and let her son Prince Charles take over. People who knew her well, including Prince Charles, said that this would never happen.<ref>
{{cite news
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4921120.stm
| title = Queen 'will do her job for life'
| publisher = BBC News
| date=19 April 2006
| accessdate = 4 February 2007
}}</ref>

When the Queen was in London, she met her [[Prime Minister]] once a week, to talk about events. She also had meetings with the [[First Minister of Scotland]] and other Ministers of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and the [[Prime Minister]]s and [[Minister (government)|Minister]]s of other countries, when she was in their country, or when they visited London.

=== Courage ===
[[File:ElizabethIItroopingcolour.jpg|thumb|250px|The Queen with Prince Charles and Prince Philip at the "Trooping the Colour" in 1986, riding her favourite horse, Burmese.]]
The Queen has often shown courage, ever since she joined the military at 18. During a trip to [[Ghana]] in 1961, she was warned that it was dangerous to be near the President [[Kwame Nkrumah]] because people wanted to kill him. But she refused to stay away. The [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]], [[Harold Macmillan]], wrote that the Queen got very impatient with people if they tried to treat her like "a film star".

In 1964, when the Queen was invited to [[Quebec]], there were fears for her safety because there was opposition to her visit. There were suggestions that the tour should be cancelled. But the Queen's secretary said that the Queen would not want to be stopped from going to Quebec because of any danger.<ref name="CRHT1">{{cite web
| url = http://www.crht.ca/LibraryShelf/CourageoftheQueen.html
| title = Courage of the Queen
| publisher = Canadian Royal Heritage Trust
| accessdate = 24 July 2007
| archive-date = 9 September 2007
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070909224557/http://www.crht.ca/LibraryShelf/CourageoftheQueen.html
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> During the Trooping the Colour in 1981, she was shot at, but she carried on. The Queen was praised for her courage and for her ability to keep her horse calm. It was later discovered that the shots were blanks. In 1982, a man called Michael Fagan broke into Buckingham Palace in the morning, and found the Queen's bedroom. He woke her up, and sat on her bed, until the guards came to take him away.

=== Family relations ===
Throughout her long reign, Queen Elizabeth II was supported in her duties by her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip promised to help the Queen on the day of her Coronation. The Queen was also helped by her mother Queen Elizabeth, known as "The Queen Mother", who lived to be 101 years old, and stayed very active in her old-age. The Queen was the patron of many organisations and charities. She had many invitations and official duties. Many of the duties were shared by other members of the Royal Family, who also became become patrons of many organisations.
[[File:Trooping the Colour, Saturday June 16th 2007.jpg|thumb|left|250px| The Queen and Prince Philip with some of their family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, 2007. On the left is Princess Eugenie, Prince William is talking to Viscount Linley. To the right is the Princess Royal, in Colonel's uniform.]]
The Queen was sad about the broken marriages and divorces of three of her children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew. Prince Charles's marriage to Lady Diana Spencer was thought to be a [[fairytale]] wedding because Diana was young and beautiful, and they seemed very happy. But soon the marriage became troubled, and after their divorce, she was killed in a car accident in 1997. On 9 April 2005, Prince Charles married Camilla Parker-Bowles, whom he had loved for many years. In 2002, within seven weeks of each other, the Queen's mother and sister, Princess Margaret, both died on 30 March and 9 February respectively.

Toward the end of her life, she left more duties to the younger members of the Royal Family, particularly to Prince Charles, who became King when she died.
=== Wealth ===
The Queen's wealth was private. It was difficult to estimate how much she was worth. She owned [[Sandringham House]], [[Balmoral Castle]], and other large properties. She did not own [[Buckingham Palace]], [[Windsor Castle]], or the royal collection of art. These are worth millions of pounds. In 2021, ''Forbes'' magazine estimated her personal fortune at about US$500 million (£300 million).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/07/richest-royals-wealth-monarch-wedding-divorce-billionaire.html | title = Richest Royals | website = [[Forbes]] |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103203953/http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/07/richest-royals-wealth-monarch-wedding-divorce-billionaire.html |archivedate = 2012-11-03 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Shapiro|first=Ariel|title=Inside ‘The Firm’: How The Royal Family’s $28 Billion Money Machine Really Works|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielshapiro/2021/03/10/inside-the-firm-how-the-royal-familys-28-billion-money-machine-really-works/|access-date=2022-09-08|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>

== Jubilees ==

=== Silver Jubilee ===
In 1977, the Queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee. This jubilee marked the {{ordinal|25|sup=yes}} [[anniversary]] of her coming to the throne.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/7/newsid_2562000/2562633.stm
| title = Queen celebrates Silver Jubilee
| publisher = BBC News: On This Day
}}</ref> There was a royal procession in the golden State Coach. A service of thanksgiving was held at [[St. Paul's Cathedral]]. Millions of people watched on television. There were parties across the UK. Five commemorative stamps were printed in honour of the event. The Jubilee line of the [[London Underground]] opened in 1979, named after the anniversary.

=== Golden Jubilee ===
In 2002, Elizabeth II celebrated Golden Jubilee. This jubilee marked the 50th anniversary of her coming to the throne.<ref>{{cite news
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2002/the_golden_jubilee/
| title = In Depth: The Golden Jubilee
| publisher = BBC News
}}</ref> She toured the Commonwealth countries. There was a pop concert in the gardens of [[Buckingham Palace]]. A service of thanksgiving was held at [[St. Paul's Cathedral]].

=== Diamond wedding anniversary ===
The Queen and [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Philip]] celebrated their sixtieth (diamond) wedding anniversary on 19 November 2007, with a special service at [[Westminster Abbey]]. The night before, Prince Charles gave a private dinner party at [[Clarence House]] for 20 members of the Royal Family.

On the following day, 20 November, the Queen and Prince Philip went on a visit to [[Malta]], where they had stayed from 1949 to 1951 after getting married. A [[Royal Navy]] ship, which was nearby, got its sailors to line up on deck to form a big number '60' for the couple.

===Diamond Jubilee===
In 2012, the Queen's 60 years as monarch were marked by [[Diamond Jubilee]] celebrations, including a grand pageant of boats on the Thames<ref>Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, [http://www1.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/ Key facts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605190353/http://www2.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/ |date=2012-06-05 }}; retrieved 2012-6-3.</ref> and a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral.<ref>Raynor, Gordon. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9297348/Diamond-Jubilee-Duke-and-Duchess-of-Cambridge-given-key-role-in-service-at-St-Pauls.html "Diamond Jubilee: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge given key role in service at St Paul's,"] ''The Telegraph,'' 29 May 2012; retrieved 2012-6-3.</ref>

=== Sapphire Jubilee and Platinum Wedding Anniversary ===
In 2017, the Sapphire Jubilee marked the Queen's 65 years as monarch. She was the first British monarch to have a Sapphire Jubilee. Instead of large celebrations, as usual, the Queen spent the day in "quiet reflection" because the day was also the anniversary of her father's death. Commemorative stamps and coins were made in honour of the Jubilee, and a portrait of the Queen wearing sapphire jewellery was reissued.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38872538|title=Gun salutes for Queen's Sapphire Jubilee|date=2017-02-06|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2017-12-06|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Also in 2017, the Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their seventieth (Platinum) wedding anniversary. They held a private celebration at Windsor Castle. Westminster Abbey, where they were married, held a three-hour bell ceremony.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/20/queen-prince-philip-portraits-platinum-wedding-70th-anniversary|title=Queen and Prince Philip portraits released to mark 70th anniversary|last=Association|first=Press|date=2017-11-20|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2017-12-06|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

=== Platinum Jubilee ===
The [[Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Queen's Platinum Jubilee]] was held in February 2022, meaning she has been Queen for 70 years.<ref>{{Citation |title=Queen's Platinum Jubilee to include extra bank holiday |date=12 November 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-54911550 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> She would have surpassed [[Louis XIV]] of [[Kingdom of France|France]] as the [[List of longest-reigning monarchs|longest-reigning monarch]] of a sovereign state in world history if she remained Queen until 27 May 2024.<ref>{{Citation |last=Elledge |first=Jonn |title=Queen Elizabeth II is about to become Britain's longest reigning monarch, so here are some charts |date=9 September 2015 |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2015/09/queen-elizabeth-ii-about-become-britains-longest-reigning-monarch-so-here-are |work=New Statesman |access-date=16 January 2021}}</ref>

== Public opinion ==
[[File:Queen Elisabeth II.JPG|thumb|Queen Elizabeth on a "walkabout" to meet members of the public]]
Queen Elizabeth II was very popular in the United Kingdom, her Commonwealth Realms and even in foreign countries. This was partly because of the many small gestures that the Queen did that made people like her, such as her voluntarily paying he taxes even though she didn't legally have to. The Queen was often seen as a voice of reason during troubling times for the country. 

During major controversies such as the [[death of Diana, Princess of Wales]], the [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York|Prince Andrew]] and [[Jeffrey Epstein]] scandal and also the departure of Harry and Meghan from the royal family, the Queen and the rest of the royal family came under a lot of criticism. However, the Queen still remained a very popular figure. 

In [[2020]], Elizabeth's grandson [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex|Prince Harry]] and his wife [[Meghan, Duchess of Sussex|Meghan Markle]] decided to leave the royal family. In several interviews, the couple talked about how being involved with the royal family took a toll on their mental health. This prompted a lot of criticism from media and the public towards the royal family. 

In early [[2021]], Prince Philip died. Due to [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 restrictions]], the Queen had to sit alone at his funeral, leading to a lot of sympathy from the public. 

The Queen had been credited with keeping the monarchy popular in the UK and the other Commonwealth realms.

== Titles and styles ==
When someone is talking about the Queen, she is called "The Queen" or "Her Majesty". When someone was talking to her, she was called "Your Majesty". After the first time, the person talking to the Queen could say "Ma'am". It is pronounced "Marm". These are the titles that she had:
* '''21 April 1925 – 11 December 1936''': ''Her Royal Highness'' Princess Elizabeth of York
* '''11 December 1936 – 20 November 1947''': ''Her Royal Highness'' The Princess Elizabeth
* '''20 November 1947 – 6 February 1952''': ''Her Royal Highness'' The Princess Elizabeth, The Duchess of Edinburgh
* '''6 February 1952 – 8 September 2022''': ''Her Majesty The Queen of the United Kingdom'' 

[[File:Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.svg|thumb|The royal coat of arms of the [[United Kingdom]]]]
[[File:Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (Scotland).svg|thumb|The royal arms for use in Scotland]]
The Queen had several [[coat of arms|coats of arms]]. In the UK, they are known as the "Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom". Every British monarch has used these arms since the reign of Queen Victoria. The coats of arms used in [[Scotland]] and [[Canada]] are different to the arms used in England and Wales.

By the end of her reign, Elizabeth II was:
* Queen of [[Antigua and Barbuda]]
* Queen of [[Australia]]
* Queen of The [[Bahamas]]
* Queen of [[Belize]]
* Queen of [[Canada]]
* Queen of [[Grenada]]
* Queen of [[Jamaica]]
* Queen of [[New Zealand]]
* Queen of [[Papua New Guinea]]
* Queen of [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]]
* Queen of [[Saint Lucia]]
* Queen of [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
* Queen of [[Solomon Islands]]
* Queen of [[Tuvalu]]
* Queen of the [[United Kingdom|United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]]
{{clear}}

== Children ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name !! Birth !!colspan="2"| Marriage !! Divorce !! Issue
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[King Charles III]] (formerly Prince of Wales) || rowspan="2" | 14 November 1948 || 29 July 1981 || [[Diana, Princess of Wales|Lady Diana Spencer]] || 28 August 1996 || [[William, Prince of Wales|Prince William, Prince of Wales]]<br />[[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex]]
|-
| 9 April 2005 || [[Camilla, Queen Consort|Camilla Parker Bowles]] || ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Anne, Princess Royal|Princess Anne, Princess Royal]] || rowspan="2" | 15 August 1950 || 14 November 1973 || Captain [[Mark Phillips]] || 28 April 1992 || [[Peter Phillips]]<br />[[Zara Tindall]]
|-
| 12 December 1992 || [[Timothy Laurence]] || ||
|-
| [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York]] || 19 February 1960 || 23 July 1986 || [[Sarah, Duchess of York|Sarah Ferguson]] || 30 May 1996 || [[Princess Beatrice of York]]<br />[[Princess Eugenie of York]]
|-
| [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex]] || 10 March 1964 || 19 June 1999 || [[Sophie, Countess of Wessex|Sophie Rhys-Jones]] || || [[Lady Louise Windsor]]<br />[[James, Viscount Severn]]
|}

== Ancestors ==
{{pedigree chart
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|boxstyle_5=background-color: #9fe;
|1='''Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom'''
|2=[[George VI of the United Kingdom]]
|3=[[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon]]
|4=[[George V of the United Kingdom]]
|5=[[Mary of Teck]]
|6=[[Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne]]
|7=[[Cecilia Cavendish-Bentinck]]
|8=[[Edward VII of the United Kingdom]]
|9=[[Alexandra of Denmark]]
|10=[[Francis, Duke of Teck]]
|11=[[Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge]]
|12=[[Claude Bowes-Lyon, 13th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne]]
|13=[[Frances Dora Smith]]
|14=[[Charles William Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck]]
|15=[[Caroline Louisa Burnaby]]
|16=[[Victoria of the United Kingdom]]
|17=[[Albert the Prince Consort]]
|18=[[Christian IX of Denmark]]
|19=[[Louise of Hesse-Cassel]]
|20=[[Duke Alexander of Württemberg]]
|21=[[Countess Claudine Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde]]
|22=[[Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge]]
|23=[[Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel]]
|24=[[Thomas George Lyon-Bowes, Lord Glamis]]
|25=[[Charlotte Lyon-Bowes, Lady Glamis]](née Grimstead)
|26=[[Oswald Smith]]
|27=[[Henrietta Mildred Hodgson]]
|28=Lieutenant-Colonel [[Lord William Charles Augustus Cavendish-Bentinck]]
|29=[[Anne Wellesley]]
|30=[[Edwyn Burnaby, High Sheriff of Leicestershire|Edwyn Burnaby]]
|31=[[Anne Caroline Salisbury]]
}}

== Related pages ==
* [[Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II|Death of Elizabeth II]] - Article about her death
* [[Charles III]] - Her son, the current king

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=fn}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book| last = Bond| first = Jennie| title = Elizabeth: Fifty Glorious Years| url = https://archive.org/details/elizabethfiftygl0000bond| year = 2002| publisher = Readers Digest| isbn = 978-0-7621-0369-0 }}
* {{cite book| last = Erickson| first = Carolly| title = Lilibet: An Intimate Portrait of Elizabeth II| url = https://archive.org/details/lilibetintimatep00caro_0| year = 2004| publisher = Macmillan| isbn = 978-0-312-28734-4 }}
* {{cite book| last = Pimlott| first = Ben| title = The Queen: Elizabeth II and the Monarchy| url = https://archive.org/details/queenelizabethii0000piml_c9b6| year = 2002 }}
* {{cite book| last = Waller| first = Maureen| title = Sovereign Ladies: Sex, Sacrifice, and Power--The Six Reigning Queens of England| url = https://archive.org/details/sovereignladiess00wall| year = 2007| publisher = Macmillan| isbn = 978-0-312-33801-5 }}

== Other websites ==
{{Commons category|Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom}}
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikisource author}}
* [http://www.royal.gov.uk/ Official website]
* [http://www.time.com/time/europe/html/060417/story.html Elizabeth II: Modern Monarch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615120604/http://www.time.com/time/europe/html/060417/story.html |date=2006-06-15 }}
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2002/the_golden_jubilee/ BBC Coverage of The Queens Golden Jubilee (2002) including AUDIO/VIDEO coverage]

{{British princesses}}
{{British monarchs}}
{{Time Persons of the Year 1951–1975}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elizabeth 02 United Kingdom}}
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:English Anglicans]]
[[Category:House of Windsor]]
[[Category:Kings and Queens of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Nishan-e-Pakistan]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Aztec Eagle]]
[[Category:Royalty from London]]
[[Category:Time People of the Year]]
[[Category:Elizabeth II| ]]
[[Category:Heirs and heiresses presumptive]]

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