She was the longest-reigning British monarch and the longest-serving female head of state in history - but Queen Elizabeth only ended up on the throne by virtue of a series of scandals and tragedy.
Elizabeth, born in 1926 to the Duke of York (who later became King George VI), was the equivalent of Princess Beatrice today – the first daughter of the king's second son. When her grandfather, King George V, died his first son and her uncle, the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VIII) was meant to take the throne. He was today's equivalent of Prince Charles.
Only, he was in love with twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson, a woman he could never marry as King. As King, Edward was the nominal head of the Church of England, which did not allow divorced people to remarry in church if their ex-spouses were still alive.
Edward however, had made his desire to marry Wallis known – causing quite the global scandal and constitutional crisis. When it was clear he had to make a choice: the throne or the woman he loved, Edward chose love.
So, after just 325 days as King, Edward abdicated the throne forgoing his HRH status in the name of love and pledged his allegiance to his brother, Elizabeth’s father King George VI. Suddenly, 11-year-old Elizabeth became heir to the throne. So long as her parents did not have a male heir, she was next in line. But at this point, she likely will have still believed she still had a whole life to live before taking the crown.
Your loyalty and affection have been an immense support and encouragement.
In February 1952, just 16 years after his coronation, King George VI died after spending a year plagued by illness - including lung cancer, arteriosclerosis (the hardening of arteries) and Buerger's disease (which causes blood clots). And so at just 27 years old, Elizabeth became Queen.
Of course, it wasn’t quite as sudden as it sounds. Elizabeth had been filling in for her father on royal duties for the year he had spent ill, attending events only monarchs would typically, as his health slowly declined. She was being trained for the role, but fans of The Crown will be well aware, that doesn’t necessarily mean she felt fully ready for it.
It’s no surprise then that in her first Christmas message as Queen, ten months after taking the throne and from the same desk used by her father and grandfather before her, Elizabeth thanked the public for supporting her at such a difficult time, namely encouraging her to continue King George VI’s work.
‘Already you have given me strength to do so, for since my accession 10 months ago your loyalty and affection have been an immense support and encouragement,’ she said. ‘I want to take, on this Christmas Day, my first opportunity to thank you all with all my heart.’
And it was a reign she continued to thank the public for over the next 69 years.
Click through for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip's love story in pictures...
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip - Grazia
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Waving from Buckingham Palace, July 1947
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The couple officially announce their engagement at Buckingham Palace, July 1947
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After the engagement announcement, November 1947
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Elizabeth and Philip after announcing their engagement, July 1947
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Princess Elizabeth poses with her family and fiancé ahead of her marriage, 1947
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Photographed at Buckingham Palace shortly before their wedding, 1947
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Arriving at the Royal Variety Performance, November 1947
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Arriving at the Armistice Day service, November 1947
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The couple were married at Westminster Abbey on 20th November 1947
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Posing for official photos at the Palace after their wedding, November 1947
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Waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the wedding, November 1947
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Honeymooning at Broadlands House, home to Philip's Uncle, November 1947
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Playing with a corgi while on honeymoon, November 1947
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Admiring wedding photos while honeymooning, November 1947
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Enjoying a walk on their honeymoon at Broadlands House in Hampshire, November 1947
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Arriving in Malta (where Philip was stationed with the Royal Navy) for the second part of their honeymoon, 1947
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Attending a charity ball at the Dorchester Hotel, 1948
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On board the 'Pamir,' March 1948
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Prince Philip receives the Freedom of the City of London, 1948
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Visiting the Arc de Triomphe, May 1948
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Attending the Royal Horse Show at Windsor, May 1949
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Arriving at the wedding of the Earl of Harewood and Marion Stein, 1949
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Posing with newborn Charles, July 1949
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After Princess Anne's christening, 1950
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Walking in the grounds of Clarence House, August 1951
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A family portrait session with the young Prince Charles and Princess Anne at Clarence House, 1951
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A photoshoot with the family, August 1951
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Visiting the Festival of Britain, 1951
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Royal tour of Quebec, 1951
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Enjoying a barn dance in Ottowa, 1951
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Photographed outside Balmoral, September 1952
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A candid shot with Princess Anne and Prince Charles, 1951
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Photographed with the children at Balmoral, September 1952
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Leaving Westminster Abbey in an ornate carriage following Elizabeth's coronation, June 1953
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Waving to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following Elizabeth's coronation, June 1953
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Elizabeth poses for official photos with Philip following her coronation
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Visiting Northern Ireland on the Coronation Tour, 1953
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Photographing the arrival of an escort ship while en route to Fiji during the Coronation Tour, 1953
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Visiting Bermuda, November 1953
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Overseeing the children and two ponies in the grounds of Balmoral, August 1955
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Playing with corgis in the grounds of Balmoral, August 1955
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A trip to Nigeria, 1956
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Posing for photographs at Buckingham Palace, December 1958
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Posing for photographs at Buckingham Palace, December 1958
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The Queen and Prince Philip with corgis at Windsor Castle, 1959
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John and Jackie Kennedy visit Buckingham Palace, 1960
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John and Jackie Kennedy visit Buckingham Palace, 1960
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Leaving Manchester by train, May 1961
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Presenting Bobby Moore with the World Cup trophy, 1966
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Flying back from Yorkshire, filmed for a BBC and ITV documentary