In 1926, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born. She was the newest arrival in a family, a royal family, with 160 servants and five palaces. And while her life might've seemed like a fairytale, she never expected to be a Queen. But in 1936, her uncle decided to abdicate, or give up the throne. So, Elizabeth's father became King and at ten years old she suddenly became first in line to the throne.
During World War Two, the 14 year old princess gave her first royal address. It was when London was under attack by bombing raids and many children were being evacuated from the city.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II: We know every one of us that in the end all will be well for God will care for us and give us victory and peace.
When Elizabeth turned 18, she insisted on joining the women's branch of the British army and trained as a mechanic. When the war finally came to an end, she and her sister slipped into the crowd to celebrate with everyone else, in what she described as one of the most memorable nights of her life. Not long after the war ended, she married Prince Philip. And had her first child, Prince Charles. On February the 6th, 1952, Elizabeth's dad King George the sixth died.
NEWS REPORTER: Tragic in sombre black, the ladies of his house follow, the Queen, the Queen mother together in their grief.
And at the age of 25 she became Queen. In 1954, she took a trip to Australia. She was the first British monarch to visit us. Back then the Queen was the official head of state of 32 Commonwealth countries, although that number went down over the years. Her role was ceremonial, so she didn't make laws and was expected to stay out of politics, although she would often meet with Prime Ministers. She also supported many charities and eventually became the UK's longest reigning monarch.
PRINCE CHARLES: Thank you from your family, the country, the Commonwealth, in fact, the whole world. On behalf of us all, I wanted to pay my own tribute to your lifetime of selfless service.
Of course there were plenty of ups and downs over the years. From famous family problems to huge historic events, and some scary moments. In the 80s, she woke up and found a stranger sitting on the end of her bed in Buckingham Palace.
NEWS REPORTER: The queen chatted with the intruder for a few minutes and then under the pretext of getting him a cigarette, went to the door and summoned help.
But even though she was always in the public eye, the Queen was a super private person who only gave a few little glimpses into her home life.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II: Clothes-wise, does it look alright with the background? Yes, it does. Well, it'd be awful if you said no because I'd have to find something else.
We know she love, love, loved horses and horse racing and her dogs.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II: Really, you're not supposed to do that. Go away. I'm not here don't do that. I'm not here. Go do your stuff.
But most of all, she cared for her four kids, Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward and her grandkids and great grandkids.
Through it all was her husband, Prince Philip, who died in 2021 at the age of 99.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II: He is someone who doesn't take easily to compliments, but he has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years.
The Queen kept working for longer than some expected and was happy to make a joke or two about that.
REPORTER: Are you well?
QUEEN ELIZABETH II: Thank you very much. I'm still alive.
She spoke about the importance of fighting climate change. And even embraced some new technology.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II: Good morning. Well good morning to me, I don't know what it is for you.
Over 70 years as Queen, she dedicated her life to serving her country and the Commonwealth, and while that job that will now pass to her eldest son King Charles III, Queen Elizabeth II will keep a big place in the history books.
QUEEN ELIZABETH II: It is a job for life.
