The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth was born April 21, 1926, in London. She is held here by her mother, also named Elizabeth. Her father would later become King George VI.
The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Princess Elizabeth poses for a photo at her London home in 1928.
The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Princess Elizabeth is seen with her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales, during a visit to Balmoral, Scotland, in September 1933. He would go on to become King Edward VIII in 1936. But when he abdicated later that year, Elizabeth’s father became King and she became heir presumptive.
The life of Queen Elizabeth II
From left, Princess Elizabeth, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1939.
The life of Queen…

