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The most proper British lady or "the head of a dysfunctional family"? Elizabeth is Britain's monarch, but she was never meant to be Queen. Her royal right was born out of her uncle's scandal and her preparatory years were filled with the unprecedented violence of World War II. Between the elaborate tradition of the monarchy and the demands of a modern government state, Elizabeth II balances a jewel-encrusted crown atop her strong, sensible shoulders.
Elizabeth II was born in 1926 as Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary of York to George, the Duke of York, and Elizabeth, the Duchess of York. Her father was the brother of the Prince of Wales, the heir presumptive. Princess Elizabeth was never meant to be Queen. Her father was never meant to be King. But those born in a royal family are never really free from the duties of the Crown.
Elizabeth grew up at her parents' house in London and in the country homes of her Royal relatives. She was a regular little girl, by some people's standards. Her mummy was always encouraging her mischievous jokes, she played with her ponies, and she obeyed her governess. But she was also front-page material; this curly-headed fairy princess was the first granddaughter of King George V and Queen Mary.
When her grandfather died, her "Uncle David," Edward VIII, became king. Edward was a well-loved by his people, but also a bit of a royal problem. Never more than when he fell in love with an American divorceé, Ms. Wallis Simpson. Bending to constitutional and public pressure, Edward announced he couldn't be King without "the love and support of the woman" he loved." For the first time, an English monarch abdicated, gave up his descendents claim to the throne, and passed his royal duties to his happily married brother George.
It was reported that George wept for two hours after hearing the news that his brother would abdicate. Elizabeth started praying for a little brother. She was only 10 years old.
After that Elizabeth's life grew very hectic indeed. Two years after her father's coronation, Britian declared war on Germany. The year after that, the Blitz began and Germany rained bombs down on central London hitting Buckingham Palace when the royal family was in residence. At the age of 14, Elizabeth broadcast her first public address with her sister Margaret. It was a message to the children of Britain, many of whom were being evacuated from their homes during the war. Then she was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards and her first public appearance was on her sixteenth birthday when she inspected the regiments. At 18 years old (1944), she carried out her first duty as Head of State when she toured the battlefields in Italy. She also joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), a pivotal time in her life during which she learned how to drive and maintain heavy trucks and machinery.
During her appearances and appointments and duties as heir apparent, Elizabeth also found time to fall in love. The lucky bloke was a distant relative and 5 years her senior. Philip, Prince of Greece and Denmark, was a student at Royal Navy when she first saw him. Young Elizabeth fell head over heels in love, but it took many years to get to the altar.
And when she did, the wedding was a fairy tale come true. The young bride was 21 years old with blond hair, striking blue eyes, and a delicate complexion. Her white satin wedding dress was embroidered with 10,000 pearls and crystals, and the train measured 18 feet long. Elizabeth and Philip were marred in Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947; the same year Philip renounced his Royal title, become a naturalized British citizen, and accepted the title of His Royal Highness Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich.
This was the first royal celebration since the war, and Winston Churchill described the occasion as a "bright ray of color on the hard gray road we have to travel". One year after their wedding, Prince Charles, the heir apparent, was born. Two years after that, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, followed.
This was to be the happiest days of their lives, living together as husband and wife. Phillip accepted the position of First Lieutenant of HMS CHEQUERS and was stationed in the Mediterranean paradise of Malta. Elizabeth was simply an officer's wife: going to the beach, dancing at parties, and getting her hair done.
But her father's health was failing, and Elizabeth was taking on more official tours, with black funeral clothes and accession papers part of the Royal baggage.
On a tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1952, the news of the death of King George reached the young couple in Kenya.
The King is dead; long live the Queen.
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