Queen Elizabeth II who became Queen through a quake of fate
Even as a child, Princess Elizabeth knew the role she was born to; yet would have preferred a simple country life enjoying her love of animals, especially horses and dogs. Born on April 21, 1926, to the Duke and Duchess of York, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, was suddenly thrust into a role she had not envisaged at the tender age of 10, when her uncle King Edward VII caused quite a scandal by abdicating the throne in order to marry a twice divorced American; Wallis Simpson; something unheard of in those days. The abdication caused King Edward’s brother and Elizabeth’s father, next in line to the throne to be crowned as King George VI resulting in Princess Elizabeth becoming the Heiress Presumptive, provided her parents did not beget a son.
A Princess in the Making
Her parents however very wisely decided to bring up the Princess in a normal manner as possible and were determined not to spoil her with too much Royal opulence or shelter her from the realities of life. This was the time Britain was beginning to come to terms with the terrible losses sustained from the First World War while British society was in the midst of undergoing profound changes. Her parents nevertheless taught the future Queen to appreciate her privileges and also her duties and responsibilities. Whenever her parents; the Duke and Duchess had to undertake official visits out of the country Elizabeth was left in the capable hands of her nanny Clara Knight. This separation however enabled her to forge a very strong bond with her grand parents King George and Queen Mary who clearly became entranced by their mischievous granddaughter. By the age of 12, Princess Elizabeth had already distinguished herself as a gifted horsewoman and had in fact confided in her riding instructor that had she not been born to be Queen one day, she most probably would have lived a life of leisure in the countryside tending to her dogs and her horses. These childish remarks reveal her ardent desire to live in the country and lead a simple life; yet be ware of her royal duty and responsibility that is so uniquely characteristic of the Queen Elizabeth II we know and reigns today.
Finding Love and Learning to become Queen
Elizabeth was only 13 when she met the then 18 year old Prince Philip, a third cousin of hers, fell in love and wanted to get married. But her father wanted her to be sure because it was the first time she had been in love. Prince Philip had also to renounce his title as the Prince of Greece and become a British citizen and adopt his uncle’s surname “Louis Mountbatten”. It was just before their marriage he was named Duke of Edinburgh, although it wasn’t before 1957 he was named as Prince of the United Kingdom. Princess Elizabeth in the meantime started attending classes at the illustrious Eton College to learn constitutional history and was soon able to educate herself about the history of Europe; a subject that was very close to her heart. These idyllic days however ceased when in 1945 she resolved to support the war effort and joined the army and became a very capable leader.
Princess Elizabeth Becomes Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
After the war ended, Elizabeth was ready to assume her Royal responsibilities and became patron of many charities that involved children. Her marriage to Prince Philip in November 1947 was rapturously welcomed by the subjects and the nation was truly proud of their Royal family. The couple was in Kenya when the Princess was informed of her father’s death and she returned to England as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and ascended the throne on June 2, 1953. Not only is she the Queen of UK, but also of several countries including Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
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