Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022.

Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. Her reign of 70 years and 214 days is the longest of any British monarch and the longest of any queen regnant in history. She was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles III.

Early life

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London on 21 April 1926. She became heir presumptive when her uncle Edward VIII abdicated and her father became George VI.

Reign

She acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 and was crowned in 1953. Her reign spanned major constitutional, political, and social changes across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

Death and burial

Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September 2022, aged 96. Her death certificate listed the cause of death as "old age". She was later buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Legacy

She became the longest-reigning British monarch and a highly recognizable public figure in modern history. Her death marked the accession of Charles III and a new reign for the monarchy. As monarch, Elizabeth II was head of state of Canada from 1952 to 2022, and her death marked the accession of Charles III as King of Canada.