Queen Elizabeth II is the reigning queen and head of state of the 16 independent sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on 21 April 1926. Elizabeth was the first child of Prince Albert (later King George VI), and his wife, Elizabeth. As a granddaughter of the monarch in the male line, Elizabeth's full style at birth was Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth of York. In 1936, when her grandfather, the King, died Elizabeth's father became king, and she became Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth.
During the Second World War she was a driver on ambulance and military truck.
Elizabeth met her future husband, Prince Philip, in 1934. They married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey.
6 February 1952 died King George VI and she became Queen Elizabeth II. Her coronation in 1953 was the first to be televised.
She has three sons Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and daughter Princess Anne.