Queen elizabeth ii biography

Elizabeth was the eldest child of prince albert, the Duke of york (later george VI) and his wife Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother). Her father prince {albert|Albert|Prince albert|Albert Francis Charles Augustus Emmanuel|prince consort} was second in line to the throne until his elder brother edward viii abdicated in 1936 – pushing the shy prince Albert into an unexpected role of King. King george vi rose to the challenge though he died early in 1952.

Elizabeth was educated at home, along with her sister princess Margaret. during the Second world war, they were evacuated to Balmoral and later Windsor Castle. Towards the end of the war in 1945, Elizabeth joined the Women’s Royal Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she served as a driver and mechanic. after the war, she increasingly stepped into her role of performing public service and made her first overseas trip to south africa in 1947. Shortly before her 21st birthday, she said: