Changes

Her Majesty '''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]] 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 the late [[HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother]].

Her Majesty '''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]] 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 the late [[HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother]].

In Britain, she is referred to formally as "Her Majesty the Queen", but is generally called simply "the Queen". Her full title, by virtue of the Royal Titles Act of 1953, is: "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of [[God]] of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith".

In Britain, she is referred to formally as "Her Majesty the Queen", but is generally called simply "the Queen". Her full title, by virtue of the Royal Titles Act of 1953, is: "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith".

==Early life==

==Early life==

In 1940, at the height of [[the Blitz]], the young princess was moved to the safety of [[Windsor Castle]], where she spent most of the war years, although in 1945 she joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service and trained as a driver, operating military trucks.

In 1940, at the height of [[the Blitz]], the young princess was moved to the safety of [[Windsor Castle]], where she spent most of the war years, although in 1945 she joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service and trained as a driver, operating military trucks.

==Marriage and children ==

==Marriage and Children ==

She married [[Prince Philip]], [[Duke of Edinburgh]] on November 20, 1947. Their first child, [[Prince Charles]], now the [[Prince of Wales]], heir apparent to the throne, was born in 1948, and his sister, [[Princess Anne]] (now The Princess Royal), two years later. After Princess Elizabeth became queen, their third child, [[Prince Andrew]] (now the Duke of York), arrived in 1960, and the fourth, [[Prince Edward]] (now the Earl of Wessex and who will eventually become the Duke of Edinburgh), in 1964.

She married [[Prince Philip]], [[Duke of Edinburgh]] on November 20, 1947. Their first child, [[Prince Charles]], now the [[Prince of Wales]], heir apparent to the throne, was born in 1948, and his sister, [[Princess Anne]] (now The Princess Royal), two years later. After Princess Elizabeth became queen, their third child, [[Prince Andrew]] (now the Duke of York), arrived in 1960, and the fourth, [[Prince Edward]] (now the Earl of Wessex and who will eventually become the Duke of Edinburgh), in 1964.

== Role within the Church of England ==

== Role within the Church of England ==

Since Queen Elizabeth has taken the throne she has taken the role of "Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the [[Church of England]]".  Archbishops and bishops are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, who considers the names selected by a Church Commission.<ref>[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/QueenandChurch/QueenandtheChurchofEngland.aspx Official Website of the British Monarchy:] Queen and the Church of England</ref> They take an oath of allegiance to The Queen on appointment and may not resign without Royal authority.

Since Queen Elizabeth has taken the throne she has taken the role of "Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England".  Archbishops and bishops are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, who considers the names selected by a Church Commission.<ref>[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/QueenandChurch/QueenandtheChurchofEngland.aspx Official Website of the British Monarchy:] Queen and the Church of England</ref> They take an oath of allegiance to The Queen on appointment and may not resign without Royal authority.

In Parliament the Queen's position in the Church of England is represented by a selection of priests, known as the Lords Spiritual, taking positions in the [[House of Lords]].  In recent times, however, it has been discussed in the [[House of Commons]] that the Lords Spiritual have their positions removed.

In parliament the Queen's position in the Church of England is represented by a selection of Priests, known as the Lords Spiritual, taking positions in the [[House of Lords]].  In recent times, however, it has been discussed in the [[House of Commons]] that the Lords Spiritual have their positions removed.

==The Commonwealth Realms==

==The Commonwealth Realms==