When she was born in 1926, Princess Elizabeth did not expect that she would one day become Queen. Everything changed in December 1936 when her uncle – King Edward VIII – abdicated, leaving the throne to her father.
Princess Elizabeth met Prince Philip at a wedding. The couple were married in Westminster Abbey in November 1947 with a fairly simple ceremony, as Britain was still recovering from the war.
In 1952, due to her father’s poor health, Princess Elizabeth took his place on a Commonwealth tour. She received the news of her father’s death while in Kenya. In an instant, she had become Queen Elizabeth II. The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953.
The Queen has since ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history, becoming a much loved and respected figure across the globe.
DID YOU KNOW?
Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21 April, 1926 but her birthday is officially celebrated in Britain on the second Saturday of June each year. The day is called “The Trooping of the Colour”.
Have you ever wondered why the Queen’s husband has remained a prince rather than becoming a king? In the British monarchy, the husband of a female monarch does not have any recognized special status, rank or privileges
ENGLISH IN USE – “queen” expressions
“Queen Anne is dead” – if somebody tells you a piece of out-dated news, you can answer with this sarcastic phrase
Jane: “Did you know that the Robinsons bought a new house?”
Bob: “That happened months ago!! Did you know that Queen Anne is dead?”
“Drama queen” – a person who tends to have exaggerate, disproportional emotional reactions to relatively minor events or situations
“Don’t be such a drama queen, they won’t fire you for such a small mistake!”