Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926 in London England to the second son of George V - Albert, Duke of York and the Duchess of York, the former Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Her sister Margaret was born 4 years later. In 1936 when she was 10 her uncle King Edward VIII caused a stir by abdicating the throne to marry a twice divorced American named Wallis Warfield Simpson. His brother Albert was next in line to the throne and he became George VI in honor of his father. She therefore became the Heiress Presumptive, meaning she would become Queen only if her parents did not have a son - who would be king before her. At the age of 13 she met 18 year old Prince Philip, her distant cousin. As her grandmother Queen Mary put it with more detail, they were third cousins through their descent from Queen Victoria (they are both Great-Great Grand Children of hers) second cousins once removed through their descent from King Christian IX of Denmark (her great-grandmother was Christian's daughter, his father was a descendant of his) and fourth cousins through their descent from George III (both of them being descendants of Queen Victoria--she was his granddaughter). They fell in love and wanted to get married but her father wanted to make sure it was real and not just because this was the first person she loved. Before they got married he renounced his royal title as a Prince of Greece and Denmark, became a British subject, and adopted the surname of his uncle "Louis Mountbatten" . He was named Duke of Edinburgh shortly before they got married, but was not made a Prince of the United Kingdom until 1957. They got married on November 20, 1947. One year later they had a son, Charles Philip Arthur George. In 1950 they had Anne Elizabeth Alice, in 1960 Prince Andrew and in 1964 Prince Edward. When they were in Kenya in 1952 they found out that her father had died of lung cancer so they returned as Queen and Consort. It was a busy time and got even busier. They worked at public engagements and starting in the late 1970's became grandparents. Anne had a son name Peter in 1977 and then a daughter named Zara in 1981 with her husband Captain Mark Phillips. Charles had William in 1982 and Henry in 1984 with his wife Princess Diana. Andrew had Beatrice in 1988 and Eugenie in 1990 with his wife Sarah Ferguson. On November 20, 1997 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family as well as the fact that Windsor Castle was reconstructed after a fire in 1992.
Ascended British and commonwealth thrones on February 6th, 1952. Was crowned in Westminster Abbey in London on June 2, 1953. Son, Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, born Nov. 14, 1948. Son, 'Prince Andrew'' Albert Christian Edward, born Feb. 19, 1960. Son, Prince Edward Antony Richard Louis, (aka Edward Wessex )born March 10, 1964. Daughter, Princess Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, born Aug. 15, 1950. Daughter of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and King George VI. Owns one of the world's largest private collections of postage stamps. She formally approves all government legislation, though she does this on the advice of the Prime Minister. It would create a massive crisis if she did not approve a piece of legislation. She enjoys watching horse-racing, "Doctor Who" and the British comedy Last of the Summer Wine . She has owned over 30 corgis over the years, and her four current dogs are named Pharos, Swift, Emma, and Linnet (as of February 2002). Sister of Princess Margaret Formerly the mother-in-law of Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson. Grandmother of Peter Phillips, Zara Phillips, Prince William Windsor, Prince Harry Windsor, Princess Beatrice York, Princess Eugenie York, and Lady Louise Windsor. Granddaughter of King George V and Queen Mary. Niece of King Edward VIII (Duke of Windsor), Mary the Princess Royal (aka Victoria, 1897-1965), Prince Henry (Duke of Gloucester), Prince George (Duke of Kent), and Prince John (1905-1919). Great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. First cousin, twice removed, of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Tsarina Alexandra and Queen Victoria Eugenia. Aunt of David Armstrong-Jones (Viscount Linley) and Sarah Armstrong-Jones. First cousin of the Duke of Gloucester. Earned her nickname "Lillibet" as a child, when she could not pronounce her name. Measurements: 36B-22 1/2-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine) Great-granddaughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Not including the United Kingdom, she is Queen of over a dozen countries, including Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Since she does not live in those countries, though she visits often, much of her duties are performed by a Governor General who she appoints on the advice the Prime Minister of the country in question. It is important to note that neither the sovereign nor the Governors General, have had any hand in governing these countries since the 1930s, and their roles are purely ceremonial. She owns the worlds finest Pink Diamond, It forms the Centre of a flower brooch and weights 54.50 carats. Although most of the "Crown Jewels" are owned by the state, the British Royal Family do own one of the most valuable collection of jewels in the world, containing some of the worlds largest diamonds, Emeralds, Sapphires, and Rubies. Time Magazine's "Man (or Person) of the Year" (1953) Learnt to drive in 1945 when she joined the Army. Is fluent in French. Has sat for 139 official portraits to date. Has visited the sets of Britain's most popular soap operas Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale Farm. Has received over 3 million items of correspondence during her reign. At the time of her coronation, her favorite actors were Laurence Olivier, Gary Cooper and Dirk Bogarde. Is portrayed by Helen Mirren in The Queen.