In 1946, Elizabeth grew to become engaged to Lt. Philip Mountbatten — later Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. However her father requested that the information of their engagement not be made public till after she turned 21.
For her birthday, she delivered a speech throughout a tour of South Africa that was broadcast by way of radio across the Commonwealth. “I declare earlier than you all that my complete life, whether or not it’s lengthy or brief, shall be dedicated to your service and the service of our nice imperial household to which all of us belong,” she mentioned.
The couple have been married in a comparatively easy ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Nov. 20, 1947. Elizabeth needed to gather clothes coupons for her costume as Britain was nonetheless recovering from the conflict.
They’d their first youngster, and Elizabeth’s inheritor presumptive, Charles — the long run Prince of Wales — on Nov. 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace. Their second youngster, Anne, was born in 1950.
Whereas Philip was stationed in Malta on naval obligation, Princess Elizabeth visited him 4 occasions. Nonetheless, after King George was identified with lung most cancers in 1951 and underwent surgical procedure to remove part of his lung, Elizabeth needed to tackle increasingly more royal duties.
On Feb. 6, 1952, whereas on a go to to rural Kenya, Elizabeth acquired the information from her husband that her father had died, which meant her personal accession to the throne. Her tour was deserted, and the younger lady who had flown to East Africa as a princess returned to Britain a queen.
