Queen Elizabeth II: 30 Facts About Britain’s Longest-Reigning Monarch
Queen Elizabeth II: 30 Facts About Britain’s Longest-Reigning Monarch
Tina DonvitoTina Donvito Updated: Sep. 12, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II might have seemed reserved, but the life of Britain's longest-reigning sovereign was far from quiet
Editor’s note: Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, who sat on the throne for 70 years, has died at 96 years old. In a statement on Sept. 8, 2022, the Royal Family website writes, “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” The Reader’s Digest team sends condolences to the royal family and all of Britain at this time as we honor her life and legacy.
The Queen Of Hearts
Princess Elizabeth never expected to become queen. Even when she became first in line to the throne, she didn’t think she’d have to assume the role of monarch for a long time. But after her father died early, young Queen Elizabeth took the throne at just 25 years old, dedicating her entire life, “whether it be long or short,” in service to her country.
As it turns out, it was the former, and Queen Elizabeth II ruled for 70 years, until her death on Sept. 8, 2022. At the time of her death, she was perhaps more beloved than ever—so much so that many people don’t want to think about what happens now that the Queen has died.
But even if you’ve seen The Crown, the Netflix series about her life, you probably don’t know the real story behind this famously tight-lipped royal. There’s the little-known history behind her royal family tree, the true love story of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and all the sweet details about Queen Elizabeth’s grandchildren. Let’s take a closer look at the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
She Was Born In London
Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London, just off Berkeley Square. When she was born, she was third in line to the throne, after her uncle, Edward, Prince of Wales and her father, Albert, the Duke of York. She was named after her mother, the Duchess of York, who was also called Elizabeth.
As a small child, Princess Elizabeth lived at 145 Piccadilly in London, and White Lodge in Richmond Park on the outskirts of London. When the future queen was four years old, her sister, Margaret, was born; and when she was six, the family moved to Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their country home. Her family was close-knit, and her life—through privileged—was relatively quiet.
Her Father Ascended To The Throne After A Scandal
Everything changed when Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, took the throne. “In 1936, Queen Elizabeth’s uncle became King as Edward VIII, but his reign lasted barely a year, and he was never crowned,” explains historian, author, and former BBC news producer Tony McMahon.
“In December that year Edward abdicated over his controversial decision to marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. This moved the line of succession to his brother [Elizabeth’s father], who became George VI.” Simpson was still legally married to her second husband when the relationship first began, adding to the controversy, and the abdication became the biggest constitutional crisis in modern royal history.
Elizabeth Unexpectedly Became Heir To The Throne
For Elizabeth personally, the abdication and subsequent royal family scandal changed the course of her life forever. “George’s daughter Elizabeth instantly became the next monarch in waiting,” McMahon says. “Her every move would now be the focus of political scrutiny and media attention.”
She Never Went To School
Princess Elizabeth never attended a public or private school, and she doesn’t have a college degree—in fact, one of the facts you didn’t know about the British royal family is that Elizabeth’s grandson, Prince William, was the first royal not to start their education at the palace. But Elizabeth still got an education from her tutors at home. “Queen Elizabeth was homeschooled as was normal for a princess at that time,” McMahon says.
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