Queen Elizabeth II
      
Apr 21, 1926: Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary born in London to Duke and Duchess of York – Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

Princess Elizabeth aged 3-4
    
Elizabeth and younger sister Princess Margaret educated at home by governess Marion Crawford (Crawfie) 

1936: King George V dies. Eldest son becomes Edward VIII but abdicates to marry U.S. divorcee Wallis Simpson. Elizabeth’s father accedes as King George VI

Princesses Elizabeth (centre) at her father’s coronation in 1937

1940: Elizabeth makes first public radio broadcast, aged 14, to children separated from parents in World War II

1945: Elizabeth enlists in Auxiliary Territorial Service, training as motor mechanic
   
1947: On her 21st birthday, Elizabeth pledges to dedicate her whole life, “whether it be long or short”, to service of Commonwealth
  
Nov 20: Princess Elizabeth marries Lt. Philip Mountbatten

1948: Prince Charles, first child and heir to throne, is born
 
1950: Princess Anne, Elizabeth and Philip’s only daughter, is born
  
1951: Elizabeth represents her father on various state occasions as king’s health enters serious decline
  
Feb 6, 1952: George VI dies of cancer. Elizabeth, visiting Kenya during Commonwealth tour, is told by Philip that she is now Queen
 
Jun 2, 1953: Queen Elizabeth II is crowned at Westminster Abbey. Coronation is first to be broadcast on television
    
1960: Prince Andrew is born
 
1964: Prince Edward is born
  
1965: Trip to West Germany is first visit on German soil by British monarch since before World War I
 
1977: Silver Jubilee celebrates 25 years of Queen’s reign

1992: “Annus horribilis” – marriages of three of Queen’s four children end, and fire guts Windsor Castle. Public outcry over cost of repairs amid recession prompts Queen to agree to pay tax on private income

1997: Diana, Princess of Wales dies in car crash in Paris. Following public criticism, Queen pays tribute to Diana on eve of her funeral
      
2002: Queen Mother and Princess Margaret die at start of Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee year
           
2011: Makes historic visit to Ireland – first visit by British monarch since Irish independence
  
2015: Becomes Britain’s longest-serving monarch
  
2021: Amid Covid regulations, Queen is pictured mourning alone at funeral of Prince Philip, who dies at age 99 after 73 years of marriage

Sep 8, 2022: Queen Elizabeth dies peacefully at her Scottish residence, Balmoral Castle, at the age of 96, surrounded by her family. Her eldest son  becomes King Charles III
   
Sources: Royal Family, BBC, Encyclopedia Britannica 
Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images, Ministry of Information
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