Queen Elizabeth II

NAME Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor. She was named after her mother. 

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning British monarch, serving as Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 1952 to 2022. She was renowned for her unwavering dedication to duty, her role as a global diplomat, and her ability to modernize the monarchy while maintaining tradition.

BIRTH Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair,, the London home of her maternal grandparent. She was delivered at 2:40 AM by Caesarean section.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Elizabeth was the first child of Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother). Her paternal grandparents were King George V and Queen Mary, while her maternal grandparents were Scottish aristocrats Claude Bowes-Lyon, Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and Cecilia Cavendish-Bentinck.

She had one sister, Princess Margaret, who was born in 1930.

CHILDHOOD Elizabeth spent her early years in London and Windsor Great Park. She was affectionately called "Lilibet" by her family. Her childhood revolved around family life with her younger sister, Princess Margaret. She developed a love for horses and dogs early on and received her first pony at age four.

Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, when she was seven years old.

Elizabeth joined the Girl Guides at age 11. She became a member of the 1st Buckingham Palace Guides, a troop formed specifically for her and her sister, Princess Margaret, along with other children of the royal household and staff. Their headquarters was a summerhouse in the palace gardens, where they engaged in typical guiding activities such as pitching tents, cooking on campfires, learning first aid, and earning challenge badges. She eventually became Sea Ranger at age 17 and later served as Chief Ranger of the British Empire in 1946. (1)

Princess Elizabeth performed her first public duty without the King or Queen on March 4, 1939. At the National Pony Society show at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington, she, together with Princess Margaret, presented rosettes. (2)

EDUCATION Princess Elizabeth was homeschooled alongside her sister Margaret. She studied constitutional history and law as preparation for her future role as monarch. She was instructed in religion by the Archbishop of Canterbury and learned French from native-speaking governesses and became fluent. Elizabeth also studied art and music and became a champion swimmer. (3)

CAREER RECORD Elizabeth became Queen on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father. Her coronation on June 2, 1953, marked the first televised event of its kind. Over her reign of 70 years, she oversaw significant political changes including decolonization and the Troubles in Northern Ireland. She worked with over 170 prime ministers across her realms.

APPEARANCE Queen Elizabeth was of average height, standing approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, with a slender yet sturdy build that reflected her active lifestyle, including horse riding well into her later years. Her face was characterized by soft features, including bright blue eyes and an expressive smile that conveyed warmth and approachability.

Her hair was one of her most iconic features. Throughout her life, it was styled in a consistent manner: chin-length, brushed back at the crown, with soft curls framing her jawline. This symmetrical style was carefully maintained to fit snugly under her crown or hats and remained reliable even as it transitioned from its original brunette shade to silver and white in her later years.

Official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II before the start of her 1959 tour, 

FASHION The Queen's fashion choices were iconic yet practical. Her wardrobe featured solid-color outfits with matching hats designed for visibility during public appearances. She favored classic tailoring that symbolized continuity and propriety. Her coronation dress by Norman Hartnell incorporated floral emblems from across the Commonwealth.

CHARACTER Elizabeth was described a sintroverted, pragmatic, logical, responsible, and emotionally stable. She had a deep sense of religious and civic duty and was polite, proper, and steadfast in her beliefs. She had a strong sense of duty but also displayed warmth and humor in private settings.

SPEAKING VOICE Her voice was calm and measured, reflecting dignity and authority. She delivered speeches with clarity but rarely expressed personal opinions publicly.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Elizabeth had a sharp sense of humor and enjoyed lighthearted moments with family and friends. She was a fantastic mimic and could do all kinds of regional accents. 

A TV documentary showed a cushion at Balmoral with the slogan: "It’s good to be Queen." (2)

RELATIONSHIPS Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, shared one of the most enduring and celebrated royal romances in history, marked by deep love, mutual respect, and unwavering partnership.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip's engagement was officially announced on July 9, 1947, following a secret proposal in 1946. Philip designed the engagement ring using diamonds from a tiara belonging to his mother, Princess Alice of Greece. Their wedding took place on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey in London. The ceremony was attended by 2,000 guests and broadcast to an estimated 200 million listeners worldwide.

Despite post-war austerity in Britain, the event was a moment of celebration. Elizabeth wore an ivory silk gown adorned with 10,000 seed pearls, designed by Norman Hartnell. Due to rationing, she used clothing coupons to purchase the fabric. The couple received over 2,500 wedding presents from around the world and spent their honeymoon at Broadlands in Hampshire and Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate.

Elizabeth and Philip's marriage lasted nearly 74 years until Philip's death in April 2021. Their relationship began when Elizabeth was just 13 years old and reportedly fell in love with Philip during a visit to the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. They exchanged letters throughout World War II and grew closer during peacetime.

Philip gave up his Greek and Danish royal titles and became a naturalized British citizen to marry Elizabeth. On their wedding day, he was granted the titles Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich.

Before Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952, the couple lived briefly in Malta while Philip served with the Royal Navy—a period Elizabeth cherished for its semblance of normalcy. As Queen, Elizabeth relied heavily on Philip’s support during national events and personal challenges. Their marriage remained strong despite pressures from royal duties and public scrutiny.

Throughout their marriage, Philip was Elizabeth’s steadfast supporter both publicly and privately. She described him as her "strength and stay" during her Golden Wedding Anniversary speech in 1997. Together they had four children: Charles (King Charles III), Anne, Andrew, and Edward.

Their union symbolized stability within the monarchy during times of change. Even as three of their four children experienced divorces, Elizabeth and Philip remained united through thick and thin. (4)

MONEY AND FAME Queen Elizabeth II accumulated a personal fortune valued at approximately $500 million. Her wealth included estates like Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House.

She was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Her coronation in 1953 was the first to be televised and broadcast internationally, making her the most portrayed person in the world.

Elizabeth's image appeared on currency in over 45 countries—a record for any individual monarch.

FOOD AND DRINK Queen Elizabeth II favored simplicity in her daily meals. Her mornings began with a pot of Earl Grey tea—served with milk and no sugar—and a modest breakfast of toast with marmalade. She preferred dainty sandwiches with the crusts removed, especially those filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Dinner was typically light, often featuring simple proteins and vegetables. A devoted sweet tooth, she particularly loved chocolate biscuit cake. Other favorites included scones with clotted cream and salmon from the River Dee.

The Queen also had a taste for gin-based cocktails, such as a gin martini or gin and Dubonnet. Her routine included four alcoholic drinks a day: a pre-lunch gin, wine with lunch, a dry martini at dinner, and a glass of champagne to end the evening. (5) 

MUSIC AND ARTS Elizabeth II was a patron of numerous musical organizations, including the Royal Academy of Music, the London Symphony Orchestra, and Help Musicians UK.  Her involvement extended to creating The Queen’s Medal for Music in 2005, which honored outstanding contributions to British music.

The Queen's personal musical tastes were diverse. She enjoyed classical music, show tunes from musicals such as Oklahoma!, Annie Get Your Gun, and Show Boat, as well as lighter comedic songs by George Formby. Her cousin, Lady Elizabeth Anson, revealed that musical theatre was one of her favorite genres.

Elizabeth was an enthusiastic supporter of the arts. She attended royal command performances in theater, film, dance, and music throughout her reign. She opened major cultural institutions like the Royal National Theatre in 1976 and the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery in 1991. Her patronage reflected her belief in preserving cultural heritage while encouraging artistic innovation.

Her engagement with Welsh culture also highlighted her respect for regional arts. She was invested as an honorary bard at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 1946 and maintained an interest in Welsh language and music festivals throughout her life.

LITERATURE Elizabeth enjoyed reading historical works and biographies but rarely spoke publicly about literary preferences.

NATURE The Queen enjoyed outdoor life. She took great pleasure in walking in the countryside and spending time with her dogs. Elizabeth particularly loved the countryside around Balmoral Castle where she spent summers hiking or picnicking with family.

PETS She was famously a lover of corgis, and has had more than 30 of the dogs during her reign. Queen Elizabeth II's first corgi was officially named Rozavel Golden Eagle, but he was affectionately nicknamed "Dookie." Dookie was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi purchased by her father, King George VI in 1933 from Rozavel Kennels in Surrey. The puppy was chosen for Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret after they expressed an interest in the breed during visits to family friends who owned corgis. 

Princess Elizabeth was given a corgi called ‘Susan’ as a present for her 18th birthday on April 21, 1944.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS The Queen enjoyed outdoor life, including walking and spending time with her dogs. She enjoyed riding horses well into her 90s. Queen Elizabeth also supported equestrian sports like horse racing.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Elizabeth supported advancements through patronages such as the Royal Society.

REIGN It is an extraordinary thing to think that Queen Elizabeth II, a woman who started her reign when Winston Churchill was still in office and tea was rationed, managed to remain monarch for a stunning seventy years—long enough for entire countries to rise, fall, and rebrand their currency a few times. From February 6, 1952, until September 8, 2022, she calmly presided over what was perhaps the most eventful and transformative stretch in British modern history, a span in which society evolved from writing letters with fountain pens to angrily tweeting at people on the internet.

Elizabeth wasn’t exactly born for the top job—not at first, anyway. She was third in line until her uncle Edward VIII abdicated in favor of love (and arguably bad judgment), pushing her shy father onto the throne and, in turn, bumping her up to heir apparent. When King George VI died unexpectedly in 1952, Elizabeth was just 25. One minute she was enjoying a trip to Kenya, the next she was Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms—a job with no instruction manual and a rather weighty hat.

Her coronation in 1953, held at Westminster Abbey, was a positively thunderous occasion—made even more remarkable for being the first of its kind to be televised. In those days, television was something people weren’t entirely sure about, and the idea of watching the coronation in your living room while eating tinned ham seemed both wildly modern and mildly sacrilegious.

Queen Elizabeth racked up jubilees like a pop star racks up farewell tours:

Silver Jubilee (1977): 25 years on the throne, celebrated with much bunting and national pride.

Golden Jubilee (2002): 50 years in, though bittersweet—her sister Princess Margaret and her mother died within weeks of each other.

Diamond Jubilee (2012): 60 years, which made her only the second monarch after Queen Victoria to hit such a diamond-studded milestone.

Platinum Jubilee (2022): 70 years, which no British monarch had ever done before. Frankly, no one thought they ever would.

Elizabeth wasn’t just the Queen of England—she was the world’s most widely traveled grandmother. She visited over 100 countries, setting foot in places where even the most adventurous travel bloggers wouldn’t dare go without hand sanitizer.

Among her notable firsts:

First reigning monarch to visit Australia and New Zealand (1953), greeted by thunderous crowds and kangaroo-themed souvenirs.

First British monarch to step foot in a communist country (Yugoslavia, 1972), which is perhaps not something most people have on their travel bucket list.

First British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since independence (2011), a visit marked by a remarkable balancing act of diplomacy, charm, and the careful pronunciation of Gaelic.

Despite being born in a house without central heating, Elizabeth proved remarkably adept at keeping up with the times. She embraced TV and radio early on, allowed the filming of royal documentaries, and eventually became a meme—once skydiving with James Bond at the 2012 London Olympics (sort of).

Her reign also weathered massive political and cultural upheaval, from Brexit to COVID-19, all handled with a quiet, composed presence that suggested she knew something we didn’t.

At the end of it all, Elizabeth II didn’t just reign; she endured. She became a symbol of stability in a world increasingly allergic to it. While others shouted, changed sides, or disappeared altogether, she remained—poised, polite, and reliably fond of corgis.

When she passed away at Balmoral Castle in 2022, the world paused—not just to grieve, but to marvel. For all the ceremony and spectacle of monarchy, hers was a reign that thrived on duty, discretion, and a strong cup of Earl Grey. And perhaps, in a quietly miraculous way, that’s what made her unforgettable.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Queen Elizabeth II had what one might call a quietly unshakeable faith—the sort that doesn’t need to shout or wave banners or put fish stickers on Bentleys. She simply believed. And acted accordingly.

As Supreme Governor of the Church of England (a title that sounds a bit like something out of Star Wars, but in reality involves rather more hymns and fewer lightsabers), she took her Coronation Oath very seriously. Not in the slightly-pious-but-secretly-hoping-it-won’t-interfere-with-holidays kind of way, but with a deep, lived-out sense of responsibility—to God, to her people, and to the remarkable institution that somehow manages to combine ancient liturgy with fancy hats and a fondness for cucumber sandwiches.

The Queen worshipped faithfully wherever she happened to be—Windsor, Sandringham, Balmoral, Edinburgh. She never made a great fuss about it, mind you. She just went, week in and week out, probably sitting very still while someone tried to make a sermon out of Leviticus, and resisting the urge to glance sideways if a corgi started snoring. At St. George’s Chapel or Crathie Kirk or Canongate Kirk, there she was, joining in with the rest of us. No thunderbolts. No fanfare. Just one very small, very steady woman worshipping a very big God.

And her Christmas broadcasts! While the rest of us were knee-deep in torn wrapping paper and trying to explain Brussels sprouts to toddlers, she would appear on screen—dignified, gentle, and gloriously unbothered by commercial jingles—to remind us of what really mattered. Hope. Forgiveness. Service. The birth of Christ. Somehow, in the middle of all the tinsel and pudding, she brought it back to Jesus with grace and good timing.

She also met leaders of many other faiths—often with great respect and the faint look of someone who would be just as happy to discuss theology or horses, depending on the mood. In 1980, she became the first British monarch to visit the Vatican. The Pope—John Paul II, in this case—welcomed her warmly. She brought along a book about Windsor Castle and a couple of signed photographs, which sounds very proper, though I secretly hope someone also slipped in a tin of shortbread. Twenty years later, they met again, and although it wasn’t widely reported, I suspect both had aged quite gracefully, and perhaps bonded over the shared mystery of being revered by millions while still having sore feet.

In short, Queen Elizabeth’s faith was much like her reign: constant, gracious, unflashy, and absolutely real. Not perfect, of course—she was far too English for that. But faithful, yes. Faithful to God, faithful to her calling, and faithful to the people she served. And in the end, what more could you ask from a Queen?

POLITICS She remained politically neutral throughout her reign but occasionally made subtle remarks reflecting concern for national unity during pivotal moments like referendums or crises.

SCANDAL No reign is without its storms, and Elizabeth II had her fair share.

The Colonial Hangover: She inherited an empire already halfway out the door. As she presided over its transformation into a Commonwealth, controversies cropped up—from the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya to the troubles in Cyprus—none of which fit neatly onto a souvenir tea towel.

Family Drama: The royal family produced tabloid headlines with clockwork regularity. Divorces, tell-all interviews, legal scandals (hello, Prince Andrew), Harry and Meghan stepping back from royal duties. and, most tragically, the death of Princess Diana in 1997 made Buckingham Palace seem less Downton Abbey, more soap opera.

1992 – The ‘Annus Horribilis’: This was a year that came with its own Latin curse. Three royal marriages collapsed, Windsor Castle caught fire, and public affection for the monarchy plummeted faster than the temperature at Balmoral in November.

These incidents tested public perceptions of the monarchy but did not diminish support for Elizabeth personally.

MILITARY RECORD Princess Elizabeth registered for war service shortly after her 16th birthday. On April 25, 1942, she signed up under the Ministry of Labour's Youth Registration Scheme during World War II. This registration was part of a nationwide effort requiring women aged 16 to 45 to contribute to the war effort by working in industries, agriculture, or auxiliary services. While her role as heir to the throne limited her immediate participation in active service, this registration symbolized her commitment to contributing alongside her peers.

Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) in February 1945 at the age of 18, becoming the first female member of the British royal family to serve in the armed forces as a full-time active participant. She underwent a six-week training course at Aldershot and the No. 1 Mechanical Training Centre in Camberley, Surrey, where she learned vehicle maintenance, engine repair, and military truck driving. By April 1945, she had qualified as a fully trained mechanic and driver.

During her service, she was registered under the name Elizabeth Windsor with the service number 230873 and held the rank of Second Subaltern, later rising to Junior Commander, equivalent to captain. Her involvement in the ATS was groundbreaking and symbolized her commitment to contributing to the war effort alongside her peers. (7)

In Auxiliary Territorial Service uniform, April 1945

As Head of the Armed Forces, she had strong links to Naval ships, army regiments, and air squadrons.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Elizabeth remained active well into old age through horse riding and walking at Balmoral. Her final years saw reduced mobility but no major health crises until her passing at age 96.

She also took care of her skin by shading herself from the sun and  practiced portion control with her food

HOMES Queen Elizabeth II owned many stately homes, palaces, and castles but lived in a few, including Buckingham Palace (official), Windsor Castle (weekends), Balmoral Castle (summer), and Sandringham House (Christmas).

TRAVEL She visited 116 countries during her reign—more than any other monarch—covering over one million miles globally.

Queen Elizabeth II never made an official visit to Greece during her 70-year reign, and this is widely attributed to Prince Philip's complicated feelings toward his birth country due to the traumatic experiences his family endured. Philip, born in Greece as a member of the Greek and Danish royal families, was exiled as an infant after his father, Prince Andrew of Greece, was put on trial and nearly executed following political turmoil in 1922. The family fled Greece under dire circumstances, with Philip reportedly smuggled out in a crate of oranges.  Additionally, the abolition of the Greek monarchy in 1974 and the political instability surrounding it may have further contributed to the absence of an official royal visit during her reign

DEATH The Queen died peacefully at 3:10 PM BST at Balmoral Castle, where she had been staying for her summer retreat. Her death certificate officially recorded the cause of death as "old age," though it was later revealed by biographer Gyles Brandreth that she had been suffering from multiple myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer. Her passing was publicly announced at 6:30 PM BST, triggering "Operation London Bridge," the meticulously planned protocol for her death. Since she died in Scotland, "Operation Unicorn" was also enacted to honor Scottish traditions during the mourning period.

Queen Elizabeth's funeral was a grand state event held on September 19, 2022, marking the first state funeral in Britain since Winston Churchill's in 1965. The day began with her coffin lying in state at Westminster Hall, where an estimated 250,000 people had paid their respects over four days.

The funeral service took place at Westminster Abbey at 11:00 AM BST. It was attended by over 2,000 dignitaries, including heads of state, foreign royals, and representatives from across the Commonwealth. The service featured hymns, prayers led by senior clergy, and tributes to her life of service. A two-minute silence was observed across the UK before the national anthem concluded the ceremony.

After the service, a military procession accompanied her coffin to Wellington Arch before it was transported to Windsor Castle by hearse. Another procession through Windsor Great Park led to St. George’s Chapel for a more intimate committal service attended by around 800 people, including personal staff and estate workers.

In the evening of September 19, Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest in a private burial ceremony attended only by close family members. She was interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel within St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Her final resting place is alongside her parents (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), her sister Princess Margaret (whose ashes were also placed there), and her husband Prince Philip. Philip's coffin had been temporarily kept in the Royal Vault following his death in April 2021 and was moved to join hers after her burial

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA  Queen Elizabeth II, despite being famously private and reserved, became one of the most recognized figures in media history. Her appearances across television, film, radio, and pop culture were always carefully curated—but they also evolved with the times in ways that surprised people and, occasionally, delighted them. Here's a look at how she showed up in the media over her 70-year reign:

1. Her Coronation – The First Televised Royal Event (1953)

Her coronation was a milestone in media history. On June 2, 1953, it became the first British coronation to be televised, drawing an estimated 27 million viewers in the UK alone—in a country of just 36 million people at the time. It marked a turning point where monarchy met modern mass media.

2. The Christmas Broadcasts

The Queen’s annual Christmas speech became a cherished tradition. She delivered her first one on radio in 1952, but her first televised Christmas message was in 1957, and she continued every year after. These addresses often touched on faith, duty, and family, offering a uniquely personal yet formal connection with the public.

3. The James Bond Cameo (2012)

In perhaps her most unexpectedly playful media appearance, the Queen "starred" alongside Daniel Craig's James Bond in a short film for the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. The skit featured a body double "parachuting" out of a helicopter, and Her Majesty greeted Mr. Bond in person at Buckingham Palace. It became an instant cultural moment and showed she had a dry sense of humour and a surprisingly savvy grasp of spectacle.

4. Paddington Bear (2022)

In a surprise Platinum Jubilee video, Queen Elizabeth II sat down for tea with Paddington Bear—complete with a marmalade sandwich in her handbag. It was her last major public media moment and won widespread affection for its warmth and whimsy. Many Britons later said it was how they preferred to remember her—smiling, twinkling, and sipping tea with a fictional bear.

5. Documentaries and Portraits

The Royal Family (1969) was a groundbreaking BBC/ITV documentary that offered a fly-on-the-wall look at royal life. It was famously banned from re-broadcast by the Palace for decades for being too intrusive.

Countless official portraits and BBC specials chronicled her reign, with photographers like Cecil Beaton and Annie Leibovitz capturing her image across generations.

6. Biopics and Dramatizations

While she never acted in them (obviously), Elizabeth became a major character in fictionalized portrayals:

The Crown (Netflix): The most high-profile dramatization of her life, this award-winning series humanized and historicized her story for a new generation.

Films like The Queen (2006), starring Helen Mirren, focused on pivotal events such as Princess Diana’s death—and earned Mirren an Oscar.

7. Public Statements During Crises

Occasionally, the Queen made special televised addresses outside of Christmas:

In 1997, after the death of Princess Diana.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic (“We will meet again…”), drawing comparisons to wartime morale boosters.

8. Parodied and Referenced

She was regularly parodied in British comedy, from Spitting Image puppets to Monty Python sketches. Her likeness appeared in everything from The Simpsons to Madame Tussauds, and she was the subject of thousands of editorial cartoons, often portrayed as stoic, shrewd, and hat-loving.

ACHIEVEMENTS Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She brought stability to the monarchy, oversaw the transformation to a Commonwealth and modernised the monarchy. 

Sources (1) Girl Guiding (2) Encyclopaedia of Trivia (3) Royal Collection Trust (4) BBC News (5) Food & Wine (6) Our Queen: 90 Musical Years (7) Autoweek