Page 9 - Great Elizabethans

HELPING IN THE WAR
When Princess Elizabeth was 13, the Second World War broke out. Like many children, she and Princess Margaret were sent away from London, because of the dangers of bombing raids. The two sisters spent the war living at Windsor Castle. However, when she finally turned 18 in 1944, she wanted to help. She trained as an ambulance driver and truck mechanic with the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). Princess Elizabeth was very popular, especially when pictures of her mending trucks or behind the wheel of an ambulance appeared in the newspapers!
During the war, Princess Elizabeth had also met Prince Philip of Greece, and fallen in
love with him. Although her parents were unsure about the relationship, Princess Elizabeth
knew she wanted to marry him, and eventually the King allowed them to become engaged. They were married in 1947, and soon had two children – Prince Charles, born in 1948, and Princess Anne, two years later. (They would later have two more sons, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.)
In 1952, Princess Elizabeth’s father died. At the age of 25, having weathered a world war, got married and had two children, little Lilibet was now Queen Elizabeth II.
The Crown Jewels pass from monarch to monarch, but Queen Elizabeth also owns a lot of other amazing jewellery, including brooches, tiaras, necklaces and rings. The Imperial State Crown, which she wears for the State Opening of Parliament, is set with 2,868 diamonds!
SERVING THE PEOPLE OF BRITAIN
As Queen Elizabeth’s reign continued, she recognised the country she ruled was changing.
People’s ways of life were becoming different, and she realised the monarchy needed to seem more up-to-date too. Rather than being seen as out of touch with normal people’s lives, the Royal Family needed to show what they had in common with the public. In 1970, she even allowed a television show
to be made, showing the Royal Family’s life at home.
Queen Elizabeth also travelled widely, visiting the nations of the Commonwealth many times
as well as representing Britain in other countries. She has visited 116 different countries during her reign – more than any other British monarch. When at home, Queen Elizabeth loves to spend time with her corgis – she has owned more than 30 of these dogs, though not all at the same time!
Queen Elizabeth faced many challenges during her time on the throne – disasters, acts of terrorism, losses in her own family – but she has always tried to do her duty, and worked hard to serve the people of Britain. Her birthdays and anniversaries have always been celebrated with big public
events. Over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians have taken part in the Queen’s Birthday Parade every year! In general, though, the Queen has always preferred royal life to be simple and straightforward, without unnecessary fuss – a belief that has served her well
over the incredible 70 years of her reign.
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