Profile of the Day: Elizabeth II

Today Queen Elizabeth II turns 95. The longest-reigning monarch in British history, the Queen’s birthday comes just days after the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip.

Image: Queen Elizabeth / Wikimedia Commons, NASA

Born on April 21, 1926, Elizabeth is the eldest child born to Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI) and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. As the daughter of King George V’s second son, Elizabeth was not expected to become queen. However when her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne in 1936 and her father succeeded as King George VI, Elizabeth became the heir presumptive. She ascended to the throne after the death of her father in 1952. Today she holds the distinction of being the longest reigning monarch in British history.

On November 20, 1947, she married Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey. They were married for 73 years until his death on April 9, 2021 at the age of 99. Just days ago on April 17, Prince Philip was laid to rest in a small, intimate ceremony. This year the Queen will spend her birthday privately at Windsor Castle.

View Queen Elizabeth II’s Geni Profile