Elizabeth II is the oldest monarch in British history. Today, she is considered the head of the United Kingdom, performing numerous functions - from strengthening international relations to patronizing various charities. Thanks to the unique personality of the Queen, the British Royal House has retained its influence and is popular with ordinary Englishmen and numerous tourists.
Age of the Queen: biography
The future queen was born in April 1926 and became the eldest daughter of Prince Albert and his wife Elizabeth (nee Bowes-Lyon). The girl was named Elizabeth Alexandra Maria - in honor of her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. After 4 years, the family was replenished with the youngest daughter, Margaret Rose.
Elizabeth received her education at home, studying in depth jurisprudence, French, and the history of religion. The young princess devoted a lot of time to her main hobby - horse riding.
At birth, Elizabeth was the third contender for the throne, but after the death of her grandfather George V and the abdication of the throne of his uncle Edward VII, her father became king, and a very young girl received the title of crown princess.
During the war, the royal family did not leave London, the princess received training and became an ambulance driver. Her service lasted 5 months. After the war, it was the turn of strengthening relations in the Commonwealth countries. Together with her parents, the princess goes on long tours. After the death of her father, she becomes the official head of the British Royal House, but the coronation ceremony was held only in 1953, a few months later.
The 20th century was marked by the collapse of many monarchies, but the British kingdom held its own. This is largely due to the merit of Elizabeth II. She managed to find a balance between decorative representational functions and real support for the state system. The Queen's duties include strengthening external relations, frequent international tours, weekly meetings with the Prime Minister to discuss the situation in the country.
Family and personal life
Elizabeth got married in 1947. The chosen one of the princess was Philip Mountbenten of the Greek royal house. The handsome prince was not considered an enviable party, but the girl in love insisted on her own - and soon the engagement was announced in the kingdom. Before the wedding, Philip had to give up his title to become Duke of Edinburgh Prince Consort. He was forever provided with an honorable, but still a second role - one step behind his wife. It was not easy for the duke, but he successfully coped with the assigned duties. Despite some difficulties, gossip and rumors, the couple managed to maintain a warm relationship and always treat each other with respect.
4 children were born in the marriage. The Queen's relationship with the eldest, Charles, was not easy - primarily due to the difference in characters and the fact that immediately after the birth of the baby, she was forced to go on a long tour of the Commonwealth countries. Subsequently, the queen very much regretted the missed moments, relations gradually returned to normal, and today Charles is the main support of the aging monarch.
The only daughter Anna shared her mother's passion for horses and dogs, she loved hunting and horse riding. She took an active part in protocol events and for a long time was considered the most efficient of the royal children. After her daughter, Elizabeth acquired 2 more sons - Prince Andrew was born in 1960, and Prince Edward became the last.
The queen could not devote too much time to raising children, but she was always interested in their life and was able to build warm and harmonious relationships in the family. This was not prevented by the inevitable scandals associated with the divorces of the two eldest sons and a daughter, accusations of the death of Princess Diana and problems in the personal life of her younger sister Margaret. Despite her busy work schedule, Elizabeth also devotes time to her hobbies: breeding corgi dogs and racehorses. She loves country trips to Balmoral, walks in the moorlands, horse races, in which her daughter and eldest granddaughter Zara once took part.
Today the queen is a happy mother and grandmother of 8 grandchildren. She also got her great-grandchildren - two older children became grandparents. Elizabeth adores the younger family members, and they pay their legendary grandmother and great-grandmother with tremendous respect, reverence and love.
