Queen Elizabeth II Timeline 1926 -2022

Queen Elizabeth II was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary at 2.40am, 17 Bruton Street, London to Albert, second son of George V, and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She was styled Princess Elizabeth.

Princess Elizabeth was christened by the Archbishop of York, Cosmo Lang, in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace.

The family moved to White Lodge in Richmond Park, London.

Elizabeth’s sister, Margaret Rose, was born at Glamis Castle, Scotland to Albert, second son of George V, and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

Elizabeth began her education. She was home-schooled by her governess, Marion Crawford.

The family moved again making their home at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park.

Elizabeth’s grandfather, King George V died. Her uncle David became King Edward VIII.

Edward VIII formally abdicated the throne in order to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson.

The abdication meant that Elizabeth’s father became King George VI and Elizabeth became heir to the throne.

Elizabeth’s father was crowned King George VI and her mother was crowned Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth and her sister were present for the ceremony.

Princess Elizabeth joined the Girl Guide movement. The 1st Buckingham Palace Company was formed for Elizabeth and the daughters of members of the Royal household.

King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon left Britain for a tour of Canada and the United States. The young princesses were left at home.

Henry Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton College, was hired to tutor Elizabeth. She also learned French from her governesses.

Princess Elizabeth met Captain Philip of Greece, her second cousin once removed, at the Royal Dartmouth Naval College and thought he was very handsome. They began to write to each other.

World War Two began. It was suggested that the two princesses be moved to Canada for safety, but this was rejected by their parents. They initially remained at Balmoral in Scotland.

Elizabeth and her sister spent Christmas at Sandringham with their parents. After the celebrations, they moved to Windsor where they remained for the war years.

Princess Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast during BBC Children’s Hour speaking to all those children who had been evacuated from the cities.

Elizabeth made her first solo public visit. She made a visit to the Grenadier Guards.

Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).

Victory in Europe Day. Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret were allowed to leave the palace and join the victory celebrations incognito.

In preparation for his engagement to Elizabeth, Philip of Greece renounced his Greek nationality and became a British subject. He took the surname Mountbatten.

Princess Elizabeth accompanied her parents on a tour of Southern Africa.

On her 21st birthday, Princess Elizabeth made a broadcast to the Commonwealth in which she declared that she would dedicate her whole life to the service of the people.

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten were formally engaged to be married.

Philip of Greece was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich.

Princess Elizabeth married Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey. They began married life by living at Windlesham Moor near Windsor Castle.

A son, Charles Philip Arthur George was born to Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace, London.

Elizabeth and Philip moved to Clarence House, London.

A daughter, Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise was born to Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Clarence House, London.

Princess Elizabeth frequently stood in for her father at public events due to his declining health.

Elizabeth and Philip left Britain to begin a tour of East Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Elizabeth, who was on tour in Kenya, became Queen when her father died from lung cancer. Prince Charles became Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Lord of the Isles and Baron Renfrew upon his mother’s accession to the throne.

The funeral of Elizabeth’s father, King George VI was held at St George’s Chapel, Westminster Abbey.

It was announced that Elizabeth would retain the surname ‘Windsor’. Many people had thought she would take her husband’s surname, Mountbatten. Her choice to keep Windsor is said to have upset Philip.

Elizabeth’s sister, Margaret told her that she wished to marry Peter Townsend, a divorcee with two children. Elizabeth told her that if she went ahead with the marriage she would have to renounce all rights to the succession. She later decided to give Townsend up.

Elizabeth’s grandmother, Queen Mary, widow of George V, died.

Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey by Dr Geoffrey Fisher Archbishop of Canterbury. It was the first royal coronation to be televised and was watched by an estimated 277 million people worldwide.

Elizabeth and Philip left Britain to make a seven-month tour of the Commonwealth. Their children Charles and Anne were left in the care of their governess.

Queen Elizabeth II and Philip returned to Britain. Their tour had been a great success.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was granted the style His Royal Highness (HRH).

John Grigg, Lord Altrincham published a criticism of the Queen stating that she was out of touch with the people. As a result she made several changes including stopping the annual presentation of debutantes.

Elizabeth’s son, Prince Charles was created Earl of Chester and Prince of Wales.

A son, Andrew Albert Christian Edward was born to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace, London.

Elizabeth’s sister Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey.

A son, Edward Antony Richard Louis was born to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace, London.

Prince Charles was made a Knight of the Garter.

Elizabeth invested her son, Charles, as Prince of Wales at Caernarvon Castle.

Elizabeth’s daughter, Princess Anne, married Captain Mark Phillips at Westminster Abbey.

Prince Charles was made a Knight of the Bath.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip embarked on a three month tour of Britain to celebrate her Silver Jubilee.

Celebrations were held throughout the commonwealth to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

A son, Peter Mark Andrew, was born to Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, Queen Elizabeth’s first grandchild.

Elizabeth’s second cousin, Lord Louis Mountbatten was assassinated by the Provisional IRA. A bomb had been placed on his boat and exploded off the Western coast of Ireland. The assassination shocked the Royal family.

Elizabeth’s son, Prince Charles, announced his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer.

A daughter, Zara Anne Elizabeth, was born to Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.

Shots were fired at Elizabeth during the Trooping of the Colour ceremony. Although teenager Marcus Sarjeant had used blanks he was jailed for five years.

Prince Charles married Lady Diana Frances Spencer at St Paul’s Cathedral.

A son, William Arthur Philip Louis was born to Prince Charles and Diana. He was second in line to the throne.

Michael Fagan broke into the Queen’s home at Buckingham Palace and entered her bedroom. The police eventually arrived and he was arrested.

A son, Henry Charles Albert David, known as Harry, was born to Prince Charles and Diana.

Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey. Andrew was created Duke of York to mark his marriage.

A daughter, Beatrice Elizabeth Mary, was born to Prince Andrew and Sarah.

A daughter, Eugenie Victoria Helena, was born to Prince Andrew and Sarah.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson separated.

The Sunday Times published the first part of Andrew Morton’s book ‘Diana, Her True Story’ which was fiercely critical of the Royal family.

Windsor Castle, one of Elizabeth’s favourite properties, was badly damaged after a fire broke out.

Queen Elizabeth II made a speech calling 1992 her ‘annus horribilis’.

Amid increasing criticism of the Royal family it was announced that from 1993 the Queen would pay income tax on any income she earned. Civil list payouts were also reduced.

It was announced in the House of Commons that Prince Charles and Lady Diana were to separate.

Princess Anne married Timothy Laurence, a Royal Navy Commander.

The marriage of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson was formally dissolved.

The marriage of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer was formally dissolved.

Lady Diana Spencer was killed in a car crash in Paris.

The Queen was fiercely criticised for remaining in Scotland rather than returning to London and also for not flying the flag on Buckingham Palace at half mast following the death of Lady Diana.

Queen Elizabeth II made a public broadcast commending Diana and expressing her feelings as a grandmother for her two grandsons.

Prince Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. He was given the title Earl of Wessex to mark his marriage.

Elizabeth’s sister, Margaret, died following a stroke.

Elizabeth’s mother, Elizabeth known as the Queen Mother, died at the age of 101.

Celebrations were held throughout the Commonwealth to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. During the year Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited Jamaica, New Zealand, Australia and Canada as well as the four countries of the United Kingdom.

Elizabeth underwent keyhole surgery on both knees.

A daughter Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary, was born to Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones.

Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles. The ceremony was held in a registry office and was intentionally low key as many people blamed the relationship between Charles and Camilla for the divorce and subsequent death of Diana.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 80th birthday.

A service of Thanksgiving was held at St George’s Chapel, Windsor and also at ST Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s official 80th birthday.

Elizabeth was incapacitated due to a strained back muscle.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Mountbatten celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

A son, James Alexander Philip Theo, was born to Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones.

Queen Elizabeth made a visit to Northern Ireland where she attended the Maundy Service at the Church of Ireland St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

Elizabeth’s grandson, second in line to the throne, Prince William, married Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey. She granted him the dukedom of Cambridge on his marriage.

Queen Elizabeth II made the first ever state visit to the Republic of Ireland.

To celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Prince Charles and Camilla visited Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea while her grandson William and his wife Kate Middleton visited Tuvalu.

Celebrations were held throughout the Commonwealth to celebrate Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. Despite poor weather thousands turned out to witness the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant where 1,000 boats and barges sailed up the River in procession. A live concert was also held outside Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by Prince Philip officially opened the London Olympic Games. She also appeared as a ‘Bond Girl’ in a short film made for the opening ceremony.

Queen Elizabeth was admitted to hospital with gastroenteritis. A planned trip to Rome was cancelled.

A son, George, was born to Prince William and Catherine. He became third in line to the throne.

A daughter, Charlotte, was born to Prince William and Catherine. She became fourth in line to the throne.

Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning British monarch having surpassed the reign of Queen Victoria.

The Queen celebrated her 90th birthday.

Queen Elizabeth attended the funeral of her cousin and closest friend, Margaret Rhodes who died aged 91 years after a short illness.

Queen Elizabeth was notably absent from Sandringham church service due to recovering from a heavy cold. A service she had always attended with other members of the royal family.

Queen Elizabeth continued to be unwell and missed the New Year Church Service.

Queen Elizabeth celebrated her sapphire jubilee having been Queen for 65 years.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 91st birthday making her the eldest reigning monarch in history.

Queen Elizabeth started the London Marathon from Windsor Castle. This was done to celebrate the fact that in 1908 the Olympic Marathon was started at Windsor Castle by Princess Mary of Teck.

Leaders of the Commonwealth voted that Prince Charles should succeed Queen Elizabeth as head of the Commonwealth.

A son, Louis Arthur Charles was born to Prince William and Catherine. He became fifth in line to the throne.

Queen Elizabeth had cataract surgery.

Elizabeth attended the wedding of her grandson, Prince Harry, to Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. She gave him the title Duke of Sussex on his marriage.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attended the wedding of her granddaughter, Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel Windsor.

Elizabeth took the decision to give up driving on public roads.

Queen Elizabeth II became the oldest reigning monarch in the World after the death of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg.

Queen Elizabeth II attended the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Mr Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

The Queen’s son, Prince Andrew, was forced to retire from all public duties following a BBC interview about his relationship with convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein.

Queen Elizabeth II opened Parliament with the Queen’s Speech. She was accompanied by Prince Charles. For the first time she did not wear the heavy ceremonial cape or crown. Instead the crown was placed on a crimson cushion to her right.

Prince Philip was admitted to the King Edward VII hospital in London for observation and treatment of an existing condition.

Elizabeth’s grandson, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan announced that they would be stepping back from being senior royals. They expressed a desire to divide their time between the UK and north America and to become financially independent.

It was officially announced that Harry and Meghan would step back from Royal duties and would not receive public funding. They would no longer use their HRH titles and nor would they represent the Queen. Harry and Meghan also stated that they would repay the £2.4 million public money used to refurbish Frogmore Cottage.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip left London for Windsor Castle due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Queen Elizabeth II made a broadcast to the British Commonwealth calling for unity in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.

Queen Elizabeth II made a broadcast to the British Commonwealth to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

Elizabeth attended the wedding of her granddaughter, Princess Beatrice. The ceremony was held privately at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor.

Prince Philip was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London as a precaution after feeling unwell for a few days.

Prince Philip was transferred to St Bartholomew’s Hospital where he underwent further tests and surgery for a pre-existing heart condition.

On behalf of the Queen, the palace issued a short response to accusations made about the Royal Family by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. The response expressed sadness that Harry and Meghan felt unhappy and affirmed they remained loved members of the family. The response also commented on the interview – ‘The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.’

Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, died at Windsor.

Queen Elizabeth II attended the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who was buried in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

The Queen’s great-granddaughter, Lilibet (Lili) Diana was born to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in California.

Elizabeth did not attend the state opening of Parliament due to mobility issues. She was represented by Charles, Prince of Wales, who delivered the Queen’s speech, and his son, Prince William.

A four-day programme of events to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee began with the Trooping of the Colour. The Queen did not take part, but other members of the royal family did. Elizabeth made two appearances on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to the crowds’ delight.

It was announced that the Queen would remain in Scotland at Balmoral Castle rather than return to Buckingham Palace due to mobility issues.

Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully in her sleep at Balmoral Castle, Scotland. She was succeeded by her eldest son Charles as King Charles III.