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|preceded=[[George VI]]

|preceded=[[George VI]]

|succeeded=heir apparent: Prince Charles

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'''Queen Elizabeth II''' (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, born April 21, 1926) is the reigning monarch and current [[head of state]] (1952–) of the [[United Kingdom]] of [[Great Britain]] and [[Northern Ireland]], and of 15 other [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] realms (see list below), including [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and [[Jamaica]]. She is the elder daughter of King [[George VI]] and [[HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother]].

'''Queen Elizabeth II''' (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, born April 21, 1926) is the reigning monarch and current [[head of state]] (1952–) of the [[United Kingdom]] of [[Great Britain]] and [[Northern Ireland]], and of 15 other [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] realms (see list below), including [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and [[Jamaica]]. She is the elder daughter of King [[George VI]] and [[HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother]].

==Early life==

==Early life==

She was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King [[George VI]] and Queen Consort Elizabeth. At birth she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King [[Edward VIII]]), and her father. It was not expected that her father would become king, or that she would become queen.   

Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926 in Mayfair, She was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King [[George VI]] and Queen Consort Elizabeth. At birth she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King [[Edward VIII]]), and her father. It was not expected that her father would become king, or that she would become queen.   

Princess Elizabeth's quiet family life came to an end in 1936, when her grandfather, King [[George V]], died. His eldest son came to the throne as King Edward VIII, but, before the end of the year, the new king decided to give up the throne in order to marry a divorced American woman, Mrs [[Wallis Simpson]].  

Princess Elizabeth's quiet family life came to an end in 1936, when her grandfather, King [[George V]], died. His eldest son came to the throne as King Edward VIII, but, before the end of the year, the new king decided to give up the throne in order to marry a divorced American woman, Mrs [[Wallis Simpson]].