By Order of Queen Elizabeth II Quiz

The first of two daughters of Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (later the Queen Mother), Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London. At the time of her birth, her grandfather, King George V, was on the throne, making Elizabeth third in line. Later, due to the abdication of her uncle Edward VIII and ascension of her father to throne, she became heir apparent, at the age of 10.

Princess Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret Rose, who was born in 1930, were educated at home under the tutelage of her mother and of governess Marion Crawford ("Crawfie") for 17 years. Their education focused on grammar, history, language, and moral and social values. During this time, Princess Elizabeth developed a strong sense of duty and discipline traits that would define her future character and role as Queen.

In early 1945, Princess Elizabeth expressed a personal determination to share the hardships of and solidarity with the people who would become her subjects as they fought for their nation during World War II.

She joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) as an 18-year-old, becoming the first woman in the Royal Family to become a full-time member of the Armed Services. Princess Elizabeth was known in the Service as truck mechanic No. 230873. After completing five months' of intensive training in maintaining trucks and ambulances, mechanics, map reading, and heavy vehicle operations, she graduated as a qualified driver, and was promoted to the honorary rank of junior commander.

Although Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, later dubbed Prince Phillip, had become engaged in 1946, it was kept a secret until 1947. The official announcement on July 9, 1947, coincided with the Princess Elizabeth's 21st birthday celebrations. They were married five months later, on 20 November 1947.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip welcomed their first child, Charles Philip Arthur George, on 14 November 1948 at Buckingham Palace. Charles would later become King Charles III.

On her 21st birthday, then Princess Elizabeth pledged to devote her life, whether it be long or short, to the service of her people. She had received the news on 6 February 1952 that her father, King George VI, had passed away, while she was on a royal tour in Kenya. She was officially proclaimed queen upon her immediate return to London, and her coronation was held at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.

The 1953 coronation was a huge spectacle, and was the first coronation to be televised. Over 20 million people are estimated to have watched it in the UK.

Beginning on 24 November 1953, and lasting until May 1954, Queen Elizabeth II's inaugural Commonwealth tour took her to many Commonwealth countries of which she was Sovereign. These included Bermuda, Jamaica, Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), among others.

It was the first time a reigning British monarch visited these distant lands, underscoring both evolving Commonwealth ties and the growing ease of transport. Meeting an enormous number of dignitaries, the tour strengthened diplomatic relationships, and showcased the monarchy's role in fostering unity across her people.

Taking over from her late Father's Christmas radio broadcasts, who had started sending greetings to the nation in 1932, Queen Elizabeth II delivered the first televised Christmas broadcast from Sandringham on 25 December 1957. This was a turning point in royal communications. Speaking directly from her home, this and other broadcasts helped humanise the monarchy and expand the Queen's capacity to encourage and serve.

Queen Elizabeth had what she described as an "annus horribilis" in 1992, with the end of the marriages of three of her four children. In that year, a massive fire engulfed 115 rooms in Windsor Castle on 20 November, and brought with it a public outcry over the cost of repairs. There were also revelations of private conversations of the royal family, called "Camillagate."

In 2002, Queen Elizabeth marked 50 years of her reign with Golden Jubilee celebrations. While this was a source of great joy, the year also marked the deaths of Elizabeth's mother and her sister, Margaret.

From 17 to 20 May 2011, Queen Elizabeth II made an historic state visit to the Republic of Ireland, the first visit by a British monarch since Irish independence in 1922. The visit included the laying of a wreath at Dublin's Garden of Remembrance, and a visit to Croke Park, the scene of the 1920 Bloody Sunday massacre.

Her Majesty's addresses emphasised reconciliation and future cooperation, speaking of "bowing to the past, but not being bound by it."

On September 9, 2015, Queen Elizabeth, after being in the role for just over 63 years, surpassed Queen Victoria to become the longest-serving monarch in British history. During her reign, she collaborated with fifteen Prime Ministers.

On September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth died at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, aged 96, and her eldest son became King Charles III at the moment of her death. His coronation took place on May 6, 2023.

In April 2021, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth's husband of 73 years, died at the age of 99, admidst the COVID 19 pandemic. Because of the restrictions in place at the time, the Queen mourned him at his funeral in solitary state. The funeral took place in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 17 April 2021. Later, on September 19, 2022, Queen Elizabeth was buried beside him.