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[[Image:Elizabeth-II.jpg|right]]

[[Image:Elizabeth-II.jpg|right]]

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, born 21 April 1926) is the current [[Queen of the United Kingdom]](1952-) and [[Head of the Commonwealth of Nations]], succeeding [[George VI]].   

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, born 21 April 1926) is the current [[Queen of the United Kingdom]](1952-) and Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries and [[Head of the Commonwealth of Nations]], succeeding [[George VI]].   

==Early life==

==Early life==

She was the first child of King George VI.

She was the first child of King George VI.

==Marriage and Birth of Firstborn ==

==Marriage and Birth of Firstborn ==

She married [[Prince Philip Mountenbatten]] of [[Greece]] and gave birth to her first child [[Charles Windsor|Charles]] in 1948.

She married [[Prince Philip Mountenbatten]] of [[Greece]] and gave birth to her first child Prince Charles in 1948. Her other children are Prince Andrew, The Princess Anne (The Princess Royal) and Prince Edward.

==Death of Father==

==Death of Father==

[[World War II]] caused a great strain on her father. A heavy smoker, he died at [[Sandringham]] on February 6, 1952.

[[World War II]] caused a great strain on her father who died at [[Sandringham]] on February 6, 1952.

==Coronation==

==Coronation==

After the mourning period concluded, she was crowned Queen of the [[United Kingdom]] of Great Britain and [[Northern Ireland]] at [[Westminster Abbey]] by the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], in accordance with tradition.  

After the mourning period concluded, she was crowned Queen of the [[United Kingdom]] of Great Britain and [[Northern Ireland]] and Canada, Australia, New Zealand and her other realms and territories at [[Westminster Abbey]] by the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], in a  coronation ceremony dating back at least 1000 years.    

==Method of Ruling==

==Method of Ruling==

Since ascending to the Throne, she has as is customary not taken part in the direct business of government but instead to performs ceremonial duties.

Since ascending the throne Her Majesty has taken her role as head of the Church of England and Queen seriously. Although she doesn't hold day to day political power, she maintains a continuous check on the power of her elected officials and still maintains most of her powers ''in reserve''.