Queen Elizabethʼs life has been a journey like no other. Throughout her reign, she has been the United Kingdom's symbol of continuity and stability. Her many visits to the nations around the world have won her the unwavering respect of her subjects and peers. The Queen has brought new trends of modernization and openness within the monarchy, and has kept the institution relevant in a rapidly changing world. Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21st 1926. She was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, subsequently King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. When aged just eleven, her uncle Edward abdicated the throne when his marriage proposal to divorcee Wallis Simpson provoked a constitutional crisis. Elizabeth's father became King, and she became second in line to the throne. On her 21st birthday she pledged her devotion and loyalty to the monarchy, and vowed to serve it for as long as she lived. The announcement of her engagement to her sweetheart Prince Philip of Greece created wedding fever amongst the British public. It was a welcome distraction from the hardships of World War II, and the dawn of a new era. The wedding day became an international celebration with the worldʼs leaders gathering to witness the historic event. Elizabeth and Philipʼs happiness was enhanced almost one year later, when they welcomed their first baby, Prince Charles. The nation rejoiced at the news of the birth of the Prince. Two years later, Princess Anne was born. Whilst travelling on her way to Australia for a Royal visit, she was informed that King George VI had passed away. Elizabeth immediately returned home, and ascended to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II. The coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on June 2nd 1953, and was broadcast on television and radio all around the world. With the births of Prince Andrew and Prince Edward in the 1960ʼs, the family was complete. Over the years, it had been reported that the Queenʼs relationship with her children is at times distant, only becoming warmer since the death of the Queen Mother in 2000. Elizabethʼs commitment to the cause has always put her role as Sovereign above all personal concerns, including her own children. Since being crowned Queen of the British Commonwealth, Elizabeth has travelled near and far to meet many of her subjects, and see for herself the popularity of the British Monarchy. This has made her the most widely traveled Head of State in history, and the first reigning Monarch to circumnavigate the globe. During her reign, the Queen has not only had to contend with issues of a public nature to do with the Kingdom, but also ones of a personal nature within the Royal Family. At times she has had to navigate cautiously around the publicsʼ perception of the Monarchy, and pressure that comes from being in the public eye. There has been much speculation about whether she will allow Charles to succeed to the throne, as she has been carefully grooming Prince William to adjust to life as a future King. Without any doubt, that she is one of the most popular Monarchs in history. Queen Elizabeth II has steadfastly gone about her duties as both Princess and Queen of the British Empire. Amongst it all, she remains true to her cause – upholding the British Monarchy in the face of an ever-changing world. Long may she Reign Supreme.
