Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada and the Commonwealth, ascended the throne as much by a twist of fate as by the grace of God.
As the daughter and granddaughter of men who were not first in line to the throne, Elizabeth was once destined for a life of relative regal obscurity.
Born April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street in London’s Mayfair district at the home of her maternal grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore, the golden-haired, blue-eyed first granddaughter of King George V and Queen Mary grew up in a household where doors were never slammed in anger. "I’ve got a baby sister," Elizabeth is reported to have exclaimed joyfully. ‘‘I’m going to call her Bud." Asked why she chose the nickname, she replied:"Well, she’s not a real rose yet, is she? She is only a bud."
Elizabeth studied languages, particularly French and German, and took special lessons in constitutional history from the late Sir Henry Marten, provost of Eton."It was perfectly done," wrote South African novelist Sarah Millin in her diary."If there are still queens in the world a generation hence, this child will be a good queen."Her grandfather was not the first-born son and only became heir apparent, and later George V, after the death of his elder brother.
One of the largest crowds in London’s history acclaimed Elizabeth when she rode through the ancient, rain-drenched streets after the long ceremony. Later, at Buckingham Palace, she made six balcony appearances as her subjects celebrated far into the night. Later they corresponded and, during one of Philip’s wartime leaves from the Royal Navy, went to a theatre together.
The Queen and Prince Philip had two children before and after she succeeded to the throne. Charles, the future Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, was born in November 1948, followed by Princess Anne in 1950, Prince Andrew in 1960, and Prince Edward four years later."I think the main lesson that we have learnt is that tolerance is the one essential ingredient in any happy marriage," he said."You can take it from me that the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.
Diana's death in 1997 was a tragedy that marked another period of strain for the Royal Family as even the Queen’s perceived lack of public grief was vexing to some of her subjects. The prince was front and centre throughout the festivities as he stood in for his mother and demonstrated he was ready to take on her mantle.
Her visits usually attracted big, admiring crowds — with the exception of a tour in Quebec City in 1964. Noisy knots of demonstrators, mostly college-aged youths, chanted and sang demands for independence as the Queen and her husband rode through the streets. Police compounded the turmoil by charging the crowd, truncheons swinging. Thirty-two people were arrested.
Many of the Queen’s visits coincided with major national events: in 1967, for the country’s Centennial and Expo 67; in 1976, for the Montreal Olympics; in 1982, for the signing of the Constitution; and in 1992, briefly, for Canada’s 125th anniversary. "The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning," the palace said in a statement in March 2021."While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."
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