"Queen Elizabeth II" (1926 – 2022) British monarch since 1954

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history and has held the throne since February 6, 1952. She is the queen of sixteen independent countries and head of the Commonwealth of Nations, with a realm that covers more than one-fourth of the world's population.

Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926, in London, England, to the future King George VI and his Duchess of York. At the time of her birth, she was not expected to inherit the throne and her father was the second son of George V. She was baptized in the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace in London and was educated privately at home. When Elizabeth was only 10 years old, her grandfather died and her father became King George VI. This meant that Elizabeth was the next in line for the throne and she began her formal education in the royal family. Her first public appearance, at the age of 13, was in May 1939 when she and her family toured the Royal Navy College at Dartmouth. On February 6, 1952, King George VI passed away and Elizabeth ascended to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II. Her coronation was held on June 2, 1953, at Westminster Abbey. In the years since she has undertaken numerous official engagements and visits around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and India. Elizabeth is a patron of more than 600 organizations and charities, including the British Red Cross and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. She has also been an advocate for education and has visited numerous universities in the United Kingdom. Elizabeth has been married to her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, since 1947 and is mother to four children, Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward. She is also grandmother to eight grandchildren. Queen Elizabeth II has served as an important leader for her citizens and for the Commonwealth for over 68 years. Her reign has seen numerous world events, including the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the establishment of the European Union. She has been a symbol of continuity and stability throughout her long reign.