5 things you should know about Late Queen Elizabeth II

Agency Report

Britain’s longest serving ruler and monarch, Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday passed on peacefully at the royal residence, Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

The royal family announced the Queen’s death. The Queen had celebrated 70 years on the throne in June 2022 with her Platinum Jubilee.

The royal family’s website was temporarily suspended, showing only the announcement of the death of the Queen.

Here’s what you should know about the late Queen Elizabeth

Background

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London on April 21, 1926, as the eldest of two daughters to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Following the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, in 1936, her father ascended to the throne.

She was not in line to inherit the throne however, her uncle’s choice to abdicate the throne to marry a divorcee made her an heir.

Heir to the throne

When Elizabeth’s grandfather, George V, died in 1936, his eldest son, King Edward VIII (Elizabeth’s uncle), succeeded him. Edward, on the other hand, was head over heels in love with American divorcee Wallis Simpson and had to choose between the crown and his heart. Finally, Edward chose Simpson and abdicated the throne.

This event altered the course of her life, making her the presumed heir to the British throne. In 1937, her father was crowned King George VI, adopting the name George to emphasize continuity with his father. When King George died in 1952, her mother became Queen Elizabeth, and her daughter became Queen Elizabeth II.

Following the death of Elizabeth I (1926-2022), Elizabeth II became queen of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on February 6, 1952.

Marriage

On the 20 November 1947, Queen Elizabeth II got married to the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. They had 4 kids together Their engagement was announced on 9 July 1947, and they married in Westminster Abbey.

Coronation

Queen Elizabeth was crowned as the Queen of the United Kingdoms

For the first time, the coronation ceremony was broadcast live on television, allowing people all over the world to witness the pomp and spectacle.

Successor

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, a new line of succession to the British throne has emerged.

Charles the third, the queen’s eldest son, has ascended to the throne. Members of his direct family, including his sons Princes William and Harry, are now higher in the line of succession as a result of his accession to the throne.

However at age 73, the focus of his reign will be his age — and the declining global influence of the British monarchy.

Elizabeth II and Philip are survived by three sons, Princes Charles, Andrew and Edward; one daughter, Princess Anne; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.