In our ongoing series #WomenThatDid ENTITY profiles inspirational and famous women in history whose impact on our world can still be felt today. If you have a suggestion for a historical powerhouse you would like to see featured tweet us with the hashtag #WomenThatDid.
NAME: Queen Elizabeth II
LIFETIME: April 21, 1926 – Present
WHAT SHE IS KNOWN FOR: Queen Elizabeth II was born to the second son of King George V. As a child, Elizabeth was referred to as “Lilibet” by her family because that is what she called herself. During her grandfather’s reign, she was third in line for succession, after her uncle and father. However she was never expected to become queen.
WHY WE LOVE HER: In 1940 Elizabeth, aged 14, made her first radio broadcast, addressing the children who had been evacuated from cities. Four years later she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service as a driver and a mechanic. Shortly thereafter, World War II ended, and on Victory in Europe day, Elizabeth and her sister mingled anonymously with the celebrating crowds. At 21, she officially became engaged to Prince Philip, although she met and fell in love with him at age 13. They married on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey. A year later, she gave birth to her first child, Prince Charles.
As of 1951, Elizabeth’s father’s health began to decline and she began to stand in for him at public events. When her father died, she was asked to choose her regnal name, and choose Elizabeth, “of course.” Her coronation ceremony was the first ever televised, and the gown she wore was embroidered, at her request, with the floral emblems of the Commonwealth countries. Throughout her reign, Elizabeth has remained overwhelmingly popular. Although when she has been criticized, she has said any institution must expect criticism and public scrutiny, but it be accepted with “a touch of humor, gentleness, and understanding.” She has been referred to as the “anchor of our age.” During the London Olympics, Elizabeth appeared in a short film with Daniel Craig as James Bond, and at the 2013 BAFTA awards, she was referred to as “the most memorable Bond girl yet.” On September 9, 2015, Elizabeth surpassed her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, as the longest-reigning British monarch, the world’s oldest reigning monarch, and the second-longest-serving current head of state. She doesn’t intend to abdicate, and takes her religious and civic duties seriously. She has met five different popes during her tenure and is the patron of more than 600 organizations and charities.
FUN FACT: Although it was custom for the queen to take her husband’s house upon marriage, Elizabeth refused and decided to retain the House of Windsor for herself and children. This led Prince Philip to say, “I am the only man in the country not allowed to give his name to his own children.”
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