Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was the longest reigning monarch in the world, having ascended to the throne in 1952. She is also the oldest reigning monarch, having celebrated her 95th birthday in 2021.
In addition to her reign as queen, Queen Elizabeth II has had a long and interesting life. Here are a few facts about her:
1. She is a great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, who was the queen of the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901.
2. She is the longest-serving British monarch in history, surpassing the previous record of 63 years and 216 days held by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.
3. She is the head of state of 16 independent Commonwealth countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
4. She is the only living British monarch to have celebrated a diamond jubilee, marking 60 years on the throne.
5. She has four children: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
6. She is the only British monarch to have celebrated a platinum jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne.
7. She is the patron of over 600 organizations, including the Royal Society and the British Red Cross.
8. She has met every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower, with the exception of Lyndon B. Johnson.
9. She is the first British monarch to celebrate a sapphire jubilee, marking 65 years on the throne.
10. She was born on April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street in London. She was the first child of Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), and his wife, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
11. She was educated at home by a governess, with her younger sister, Princess Margaret. She studied history, geography, and language, and also learned music and how to ride horses.
12. She became queen at the age of 25, following the sudden death of her father, King George VI. She was in Kenya at the time, and was informed of her father’s death by her private secretary, Martin Charteris.
13. She was married to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on November 20, 1947. They met when Elizabeth was 13 and Philip was 18, and they were married in Westminster Abbey.
14. She has eight grandchildren: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Peter Phillips; Zara Tindall; Princess Beatrice; Princess Eugenie; Lady Louise Windsor; and James, Viscount Severn.
15. She has 10 great-grandchildren, with two more expected in 2021.
16. She has owned more than 30 corgis during her reign, starting with Susan, who was a gift on her 18th birthday. She currently has two corgis, Whisper and Willow, and two dorgis (a dachshund-corgi cross), Vulcan and Candy.
17. She is the oldest and longest-serving current head of state in the world. She is also the longest-serving head of state in British history.
18. She is a keen horsewoman and has been a member of the British Olympic equestrian team. She has also competed in carriage driving competitions, and has been the patron of the British Driving Society since 1955.
19. She has a love of music and is an accomplished pianist. She also enjoys opera and ballet, and is a patron of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Ballet.
Queen Elizabeth II has led an eventful and fascinating life, and her reign as queen has been marked by remarkable longevity and dedication to public service. She has been a constant presence in the lives of British and Commonwealth citizens for nearly seven decades, and she continues to serve as a symbol of continuity and stability in a rapidly changing world.
Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II has undertaken countless official engagements, both at home and abroad. She has visited over 120 countries and has met with world leaders, dignitaries, and everyday citizens. She has also worked tirelessly to support numerous charitable organizations and causes, earning her the nickname “the queen of hearts.”
Despite the many challenges and obstacles she has faced during her reign, Queen Elizabeth II has remained steadfast in her dedication to the British people and the Commonwealth. She continues to serve as a symbol of unity and national pride, and her unwavering commitment to public service is an inspiration to people around the world.
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