We could only see the real personality of the Queen, by gleaning from some of the revealing anecdotes which had been told about her. But then let me start with the birth of the beloved Queen.

The future Queen, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926. Upon her accession, Elizabeth II became the acknowledged head of the 54–member nations of the Commonwealth of the Nations and the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states which are also known as the Commonwealth Realms which includes, likewise, their dependencies and territories.

Furthermore, upon her Accession as Queen Elizabeth II on February 6, 1952, Elizabeth immediately became the established Head of the Commonwealth and the current Queen Regnant of all the seven Commonwealth countries namely: United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and Ceylon. Her realms eventually varied since the time of her coronation as some of the territories later gained independence, while others became republics.

Aside from United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, Elizabeth II is currently acknowledged as queen of Barbados, Bahamas, Jamaica, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Belize. She has been the reigning Queen of Britain for 61 years and running second now in the length of reign to that of Queen Victoria who had ruled England for 63 years.

The Royal Family Tree and the Change of Last Name

When Elizabeth was born, no one had given it a serious thought that someday she would ascend to the throne of Great Britain. Elizabeth was basically the first child of Prince Albert, Duke of York, who later on ascended to the throne as King George VI, and her mother was Elizabeth born of British nobility as the honourable Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who was the last empress of India.

Her father, being the second son of the then reigning King George V and Queen Mary, was second in the line of succession to the throne, behind the Prince of Wales—Edward. However, when Edward became king and later on abdicated the throne, her father ascended the throne, and she became in fact the heiress presumptive.

The birth of Elizabeth wasn’t different from the birth of every child save the fact that the one giving birth to her was the Queen of England. Her mother gave birth to her by caesarean section on the 21st of April 1926, at the London house of her maternal grandfather at 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair.

Fifty days after her birth, just like every child of Christian parents, on the 29th of May, Elizabeth was baptized in Buckingham Palace's private chapel by the Archbishop of York, Cosmo Gordon Lang. She was given the name, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, in honor of her mother—Elizabeth, Alexandra—the mother of George V, and Mary, her paternal Grandmother. Thus, her complete Christian name is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor. From Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the Royal family adopted the name of their House, Windsor, when King George V renounced German titles in 1917.

Elizabeth was such an exuberant child, and she was fondly called by her close family as "Lilibet." Moreover, her presence was always cherished by other people, especially by King George V, her grandfather. In fact, when George V was seriously ill in 1929, little Elizabeth would usually visit the King and these visitations had always raised the mood and spirit of her grandfather King, which greatly aided in the latter’s recovery.

Even at the early age of two, Elizabeth manifested a strong character as observed by the former Prime Minister of Great Britain then, Winston Churchill. Churchill described the little princess as "a character." Likewise, she was fittingly described by Margaret Rhodes, her cousin as a “jolly girl, but sensible and fundamentally well-mannered.” These simple descriptions readily give us a picture of what the character of Elizabeth as a child was.

The only sibling of Elizabeth is Princess Margaret, who was four years younger than her. These two princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, were thoroughly educated at home under the guidance of their mother and the governess, Marion Crawford, who was known casually as "Crawfie" among the Royal circle. Now, let us look into how a princess is educated and what subjects are included in their studies. The focus of Elizabeth's education ranges from history, literature, geography, language to music.

Some Interesting Facts about Elizabeth’s Childhood

The time of Elizabeth’s birth was just three decades detached from the Victorian Era. Yet, from the onset, her parents had already decided that Elizabeth's life should be as normal as it could be. This sudden paradigm shift in the royal rearing might have been triggered by the prevailing turnouts of events in Europe and in the rest of the world after World War I. The Royal family members of Russia, which in some way were kindred to the Royal family of England, had been brutally massacred during the Communist Revolution in 1918.

Likewise, the influence and powers of the monarchies of other countries had been constantly put into question by their constituents. Additionally, Elizabeth’s year of birth coincided with the year of the General Strike; thus, radical changes were manifest in the British society at that time. Consequently, her parents decided early on that Elizabeth should neither be spoilt nor shielded from reality. Moreover, they decided that the royal rearing should not be so detached from the concerns of their subjects by shunning away the royal excesses and excessive display of opulence which marked the previous lives of the Royal Families.

Most of the early years of Elizabeth were spent at 145 Piccadilly where the family home was. Her parents were determined to provide Elizabeth with an intelligent appreciation of both her responsibilities and privileges. Her parents, however, had royal duties to attend to, one of which was an official visit to Australia to open its new Commonwealth Parliament. Elizabeth was, therefore, left to the care of her nanny at that early age. This early separation from her parents endeared Elizabeth more to her grandparents—King George V and Queen Mary—who were readily informed of whatever progress Elizabeth was undergoing as a little child.

Elizabeth was a vibrant and lively child and this was clearly shown by a simple story concerning a visit by the Bishop of Canterbury to the King. During the visit, the Bishop of Canterbury was obviously perplexed when, during an audience with the King, he found King George V acting the role of the improvised horse for the playful little Elizabeth. This would have been really a lovely sight, but something which was perplexing to the Bishop who was used to seeing the King in his dignified Royal Duties.

Teenage Years of Elizabeth

In 1936, her grandfather, George V, died. Her uncle, Edward, succeeded as Edward VII. Elizabeth then became the second–in–line to the throne of England, her father being the first–in–line. However, love was powerful enough even among mighty Kings. Edward had fallen in-love and later on proposed to Wallis Simpson, a divorced socialite. Love, as far as Edward is concerned, seemed more powerful than that of the throne.

This move by Edward consequently generated a constitutional crisis, and Edward VII had to abdicate the throne later on that year. Edward VIII’s abdication immediately made Elizabeth the heiress presumptive to the throne of England, save the possibility that her parents would have a son, in which case, the son would be the next in line and the heir apparent.

Teenage Education of Elizabeth

The teenage education of Elizabeth focused on the essentials of the Royal Education. Elizabeth later on received tuition from Henry Marten in constitutional history. She was likewise taught and learned French from several French and Belgian governesses. At the age of eleven, Elizabeth enrolled as a Girl Guide and became a Sea Ranger later. Moreover, at the age of thirteen at London Bath Club, she joined and won the Children's Challenge Shield.

Even at the early age, Elizabeth already perfectly understood the full importance of the role she is going to play later on as an heir presumptive. Yet, deep within her heart was a desire to live a simple and traditional idyllic life. The Royal Riding Master, Horace Smith, recalled that Elizabeth had once confided to him that “had she not been born a princess, she would have preferred to be a lady who lives in the country with plenty of horses and dogs.” This mixture of love for simplicity and her unfailing sense of queenly duty would later on characterize the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Elizabeth's parents toured Canada in 1939, and subsequently visited, later on, the United States of America. Her father thought that she was too young to join them in that public tour being barely 12 years of age. For this reason, she didn’t accompany her parents in that transatlantic tour. The sad parting was obviously etched in the face of Elizabeth as she tearfully looked as her parents departed for America. They, however, regularly corresponded. On May 18, her parents and Elizabeth made the historic transatlantic telephone call between royal family members; it was historic considering the fact that it was the first transatlantic call done between members of the Royal Family.

Elizabeth’s life during World War II

In September of 1939, Britain had no choice but to enter World War II under the allied side. During the German blitz of the succeeding years, most of the children in London were evacuated from the cities. Lord Hailsham suggested that the two princesses be evacuated to either Canada or some other safe place. However, Elizabeth's mother declared that the children would never go without their parents. Likewise, she vehemently said that she won't leave without the company of the King. Yet the King won't leave and thus the Royal Family’s last option was to stay in London.

Princess Elizabeth later transferred and stayed at Balmoral Castle, Scotland until the Christmas of 1939, on which day, they moved to Sandringham House, Norfolk. Later on, they moved to Royal Lodge, Windsor; and there they stayed from February to May of 1940. In one rare occasion, the 14–year–old Elizabeth made her first broadcast on radio during the Children's Hour of BBC, encouraging other children who were evacuated from various cities. Later on, the Royal Family moved to Windsor Castle where they stayed for the succeeding five years.

In 1943, when Elizabeth was 16, she carried out her first public solo appearance when she visited the Grenadier Guards to which she was appointed Colonel–in–Chief in 1942. When she was about to turn 18 years of age, the law was amended allowing her to act as one of the counselors of state in any circumstance in which the King could not be present. She, likewise, joined in February of 1945 the Women's Auxiliary Terminal Service acting as Second Subaltern bearing the service number of 230873. One interesting fact about the Queen during this time was that she readily trained as a driver and likewise as a mechanic, and later on, was promoted after five months to an honorary junior Commander.

During the Victory Day at the end of the war, Elizabeth and Margaret became so curious about how the common people celebrated it. Prompted by the immense joy of victory, the two princesses anonymously mingled with the common people. Later on, she would recall that they asked permission from their parents if they could go and see for themselves the celebration on the street; she recalled the feelings as they walked down the Whitehall arm–in–arm with the wave of jubilant people. This was the first taste of these two princesses of how the common people celebrated a momentous occasion.

In 1947, Elizabeth accompanied her parents on a tour to South Africa. In this tour, she made an announcement during her 21st birthday that she is pledging to dedicate her whole life, if it be short or long, to the service of the great imperial family. This was broadcast to all the members of the British Commonwealth.

Marriage of Elizabeth

Elizabeth got acquainted with her future husband in 1934 and in 1937. His name is Philip of Greece and Denmark, a prince. Although second cousins through Christian IX, the king of Denmark, and through Queen Victoria, they are third cousins. They met again in Dartmouth at the Royal Naval College in 1939. She was only thirteen years old then, but she said she had fallen in love with Philip and later on began to exchange letters. That was the start of their love affair. They got officially engaged on July 9, 1947.

A little controversy arose regarding this engagement. The butt of this silent controversy hinged on the facts that Philip didn't have the financial standing; he was considered a foreign–born prince; he had links with the Nazi through her sisters who had been married to German Noblemen who are associated with the German racists. These were serious thoughts, which could have deterred a faint-hearted princess. Additionally, Elizabeth's mother was initially opposed to the engagement, though later on, she would tell her biographer that Philip was a real English Gentleman.

Philip later on renounced his Danish and Greek titles and converted to Anglican before his marriage to Elizabeth. He also used the title Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, deriving his name from the surname of the British family of his mother. Before the marriage, Philip was made Duke of Edinburgh and was also given the title His Royal Highness.

On the 20 of November, Elizabeth and Philip were royally married at Westminster Abbey. The presents they received numbered around 2500 wedding gifts which came from around the world.

Elizabeth gave birth later on to Prince Charles, her first child, on November 14, 1948. In 1950, she later on gave birth to her second child, Princess Anne. King George VI, her father, issued letters patent aimed at letting Elizabeth's children to use the title and style of a royal princess and prince a month prior to her giving birth. For this reason, the children of Elizabeth can use their title and style, which they could not use otherwise sans the letters patent.

The couple leased the Windlesham Moor, not far from Windsor Castle until July 4, 1949, when they had transferred to the Clarence House in the City of London. Between the years 1949 to 1951, Philip had been stationed at various occasions in Malta, a British Protectorate in the capacity of a Royal Navy Officer. Every once in a while, Elizabeth and Philip lived for some months in the Gwardamangia, the Maltese hamlet, at Villa Gwardamangia, the villa which Lord Mountbatten—Philip's uncle—had rented. Their children, however, remained in Britain.

Accession and Coronation

As every person has to give way to younger generation, the year 1951 saw a gradual decline in the health of George VI. Elizabeth, therefore, had to stand in for him at most public events. She, therefore, toured Canada and later on visited President Truman. In the October of 1951, an accession declaration draft which could be used in case the King died, while she was engaged on tour, was usually carried by Martin Charteris.

Elizabeth and Philip, in 1952, went on an official tour of Australia and New Zealand. They passed via Kenya. In Kenya, while going back to Sagan Lodge, their Kenyan home, the news of the King's death arrived. Philip broached open the news to Elizabeth, and Charteris asked Elizabeth to choose her name as Queen. She chose “Elizabeth” and became Elizabeth II. She was proclaimed Queen of all her dominions and realms. Later on, the royal entourage went off hastily for England. Upon arrival at England, the Royal Couple moved into the official home of the British monarchy, Buckingham Palace.

It seemed probable, with Elizabeth's accession, that the house would bear the name of her husband making it the House of Mountbatten, in view of the prevailing custom, in which the wife takes the surname of her husband. The mother of Elizabeth and Churchill, the British Prime Minister then, favored retaining the "House of Windsor." Thus, it remained as "Windsor." In 1960, however, the name Mountbatten–Windsor was then adopted by male descendants of Elizabeth and Philip, who don't bear royal titles.

The coronation of Elizabeth went ahead as planned on June 2, 1953 despite the demise of Queen Mary on the 24th of March. The coronation in Westminster Abbey was, for the first time, televised and people from all walks of life were able to have a glimpse of how the British monarch was crowned.

The life of the New Queen after the Coronation

The years 1953 to 1954 engaged the Royal couple in a tour of the world. This lasted for six months. Everywhere the Royal Couple went, people would crowd just to have a glimpse of the new Queen. In the year 1956, Britain and France attacked Egypt with to capture the Suez Canal. This attack was in response to the move of Egyptian President, Gamal Abdel Nasser, to nationalize Suez Canal. It sparked speculation that the attack was in collusion with Israel who attacked Egypt on the eastern side. The governments of Israel, France, and Britain denied the allegations. However, later evidence showed that the joint attack was premeditated.

In a rare occasion, Lord Mountbatten remarked that Elizabeth II was against this attack. This was vehemently denied by British Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden. Eden later on for a reason resigned from the office. Harold Macmillan then was chosen to replace Eden. The Suez Fiasco led some sectors to criticize the Queen for the first time.

Criticism would again befall the office of the Queen when she, upon the advice of Mcmillan who resigned as Prime Minister in 1963, appointed the Earl of Home as the new Prime Minister. It was a good thing that the Queen was later on freed from the burden of directly appointing the next Prime Minister when a new mechanism was put in place in 1965.

United States was officially visited by the Queen in 1957. In this trip, she passed by the United Nations General Assembly and gave an address. On this same tour, she officially opened the 23rd Canadian Parliament. After two years, she again visited the United States as Queen of Canada. During this time, she was pregnant with her third child. She, likewise, toured other parts of the world, braving the threat to her life. The only time the Queen wasn't able to perform her duties were during the times that she was pregnant, first with Andrew and then with Edward.

The 60s and the 70s were turbulent years for the British Empire. Former dominions of Great Britain tried to gain their independence. In Africa and in Asia, decolonization had been the word of the day. Around 20 new nations were formed as a result of the decolonization process. Back in England, there were issues which need the attention of the Queen. Even while touring, the Queen had to fly back to Britain to resolve some Parliament concerns.

The Australian Constitutional Crisis

In 1975, Governor Sir John Kerr dismissed Prime Australian Minister Whitlam from his post. This prompted the Speaker Gordon Scholes to appeal to the Queen to overturn Kerr's decision. The Queen readily declined considering the fact that that decision, according to the Constitution of Australia, was reserved for the present Governor–General.

The Silver Jubilee as Queen of Britain

1977 marked the 25th year of Elizabeth as Queen of Britain. Celebrations were held throughout the Commonwealth. In the succeeding years, other issues had been faced by the Queen. One issue was of the growing Republicanism in Canada. The Queen was a bit worried about the declining value of the crown in Canada. In 1980, some Canadian politicians visited London to explain the Patriation of the established Canadian Constitution. In the ensuing discussion, the Queen was informed that the British Parliament had been removed from the Canadian Constitutions. However, the monarchy had not been removed from it.

Elizabeth in the 1980s

The important events that happened during the 80s include the marriage of Prince Charles to Princess Diana Spencer. Six weeks prior to the wedding, the Queen had been fired at from very close range while she rode down on her horse down the Mall. Later on, it was found out these shots were blank shots. However, the seventeen–year–old assailant was given a five–year sentence. In this event, the firmness of attitude of the Queen and her unyielding composure had been highly noted. Another untoward incident occurred in July, when a palace intruder, Fagan by name, had been found inside her bedroom in the palace of Buckingham.

The Queen hosted several political figures in the palace. One of which was Ronald Reagan who visited her in 1982. She returned the favor, when the Queen visited Reagan's Ranch in California. The queen was greatly piqued, however, when Reagan ordered, without informing her, the invasion of Grenada, which is a realm of the Queen in the Caribbean.

Other issues during this time, which requires the attention of the Queen, included the misgivings of the media towards the Monarchy. Likewise, there was also the issue of Apartheid in South Africa, and the military coup in Fiji of which Elizabeth was the recognized monarch.

In the 1990s, the world saw the terror brought about by the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. After the Coalition Forces’ victory, the Queen was invited to address the Congress of the United States.

But what most pained the Queen were the issues involving the Royal Family in the succeeding years. In fact, in a fit of grief, the queen remarked that 1992 was the most horrible year of her reign. There was the marriage separation of Prince Andrew and Sarah. Likewise, Anne, the Princess Royal, filed a divorce with Captain Mark Phillips. To make matters worse, the Royalty had been in constant prying from the media.

In 1993, the Royal finances were reformed and for the first time, the Queen would be paying her income taxes. In December, her son, Prince Charles and Diana announced their formal separation. In 1995, Prince Charles and Diana were formally divorced. One year after, Diana died in a car accident.

Though Britain hadn't seen a higher support for Republicanism except in the 90s, it is fitting to say that the Queen greatly remained, during the 90s, the unifying and preserving factor of the monarchy from the republican tendency of the Government. In spite of all the issues that involved the other Royal families, Elizabeth's approval rating remained high.

The Golden Jubilee

Elizabeth marked the Golden Jubilee of her reign in 2002. Though her mother and sister had died early in the year, many people expected the jubilee to be a jubilant celebration. During this year, she once again toured her realms. In Jamaica, during the farewell banquet, a power shortage brought into darkness the King's House. This incident though did not sullen the farewell party. The celebration of the Jubilee lasted for three days and more than a million people attended the celebration.

Old age definitely would befall everybody and not even the Queen is saved from it. The Queen is a well-built, healthy person. Yet in 2003, she underwent keyhole surgery on both knees. Later on, she would have trouble with her back muscle, owing maybe from the continuous wear and tear caused by gravity. She appeared with bandaged hand in public later in the year and people speculated that her health might be degenerating.

The Queen has served one of the longest reigns in the history of Britain. The length of her reign is closing in to that of Queen Victoria, who had reigned for 63 years. Yet, she doesn’t have the intention of abdicating the throne. Her public life is very hectic, yet her private life manifests a relaxed and homely atmosphere.

She stands as the patron of more than 600 organizations and other charities. She has a natural inclination for dogs, and her favorite pastime includes equestrianism.

Her fortune stands at $450 million in the year 2010. Yet, some of her possessions are held in trust and could not be sold.

Diamond Jubilee and the Awarding of the Jubilee Medal

In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee as reigning Queen. As done in previous jubilee celebrations, a Diamond Jubilee medal was awarded in the UK and Canada. The Queen, however, did not tour Canada anymore and only had her son and his wife, Camilla, tour Canada, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Australia. A total of 600 jubilee medals were given to members of the Order of Canada and Order of Ontario.

The Queen is very meticulous in giving out her opinions on important political and social issues. But culling from what she had said in public, we could say that she is a highly religious woman, who relies on her unflinching faith in God in facing and solving some of the critical issues which had beset her monarchy in her long reign as the Queen of Britain.

Organizations Supported

There are more than 600 institutions worldwide that the queen supports a patron. It covers a wide variety of area and purposes, most of these however are charitable institutions. Other institutions include wildlife and environmental preservations, community services and military organizations in which the Queen is the honorary leader, etc. Hereunder is a partial list of some organizations supported by the Queen.

• Australian Red Cross Society (http://www.redcross.org.au/)
• Canadian Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.ca/)
• Canadian Red Cross Society (http://www.redcross.ca/)
• I CAN - (Invalid Children's Aid Nationwide)  (http://www.ican.org.uk/)
• The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children's Fund (http://www.rnrmchildrensfund.org.uk/)
• National Institute of Agricultural Botany  (http://www.niab.com/)
• The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (http://www.rac.ac.uk/)
• Dog’s Trust (http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/)
• Animal Health Trust (http://www.aht.org.uk/)
• Royal Sailors’ Rests (http://www.rsr.org.uk/)
• Royal Tank Regiment (http://www.army.mod.uk/)
• Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (http://www.raic.org/)
• The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (http://www.socantscot.org/)
• Energy Institute (http://www.energyinst.org.uk/)
• Royal Aeronautical Society (http://www.raes.org.uk/)
• Barnardo’s  (http://www.barnardos.org.uk/)
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (http://www.rospa.com/)
• The Royal British Legion Scotland  (http://www.rblscotland.org.uk/)
• Royal Geographical Society  (http://www.rgs.org/)
• The Royal Archaeological Institute  (http://www.royalarchinst.org/)
• Friends of the Elderly (http://www.fote.org.uk/)
• The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (http://www.wwt.org.uk/)
• Fauna & Flora International (http://www.fauna-flora.org/)
• Amateur Athletic Association (http://www.englandathletics.org/)
  
  

Career Milestones

• 1937: Princess Elizabeth enrolled as a Girl Guide, Later to become a Sea Ranger.
• 1939: The 13 years old princess won the Children’s Challenge Shield swimming competition at London’s Bath Club.
• 1940: Princess Elizabeth made her first public speech for BBC’s children’s program for all children in Britain and its commonwealth.
• 1942: The 16 years old princess appeared on her first public engagement when she inspected the Grenadier Guards Regiment as its Colonel-in-Chief.
• 1943: At the age of 17 years old, the princess conducted her first solo public engagement with a Grenadier Guards tank battalion with the Southern Command.
• 1944: The princess, at her 18th birthday, was appointed as a Counsellor of State and carried out some duties of the Head of State, in the absence of the King.
• 1944: The princess, along with her mother, received an address from the House of Commons and replied in behalf of the Throne.
• 1944: The princess, accompanying her parents, conducted her first official visit of Scotland and carried out her first opening ceremony at the reconstructed Aberdeen Sailor’s Home.
• 1945: The princess Elizabeth was made a Subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). By the war’s end, she was a Junior Commander and a fully qualified lorry driver.
• 1947: Princess Elizabeth was made a Royal Lady of the Noble Order of Garter by her father, King George VI.
  
  

Royal Styles

• Apr. 21, 1926 – Dec. 11, 1936: Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth of York
• Dec. 11, 1936 – Nov. 20, 1947: Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth
• Nov. 20, 1947 – Feb. 6, 1952: Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh
• Feb. 6, 1952 – present: Her Majesty The Queen
  
  

Current Official Titles

• 1953: Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Defender of the Faith
• 1953: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith
• 1962: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of Jamaica and of Her other Realm and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth
• 1966: 1966 HM Elizabeth II, Queen of Barbados and of Her other Realm and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth
• 1973: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of Commonwealth
• 1973: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Commonwealth of Bahamas and of Her other Realm and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth
• 1974: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of New Zealand and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith
• 1974: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of the UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Grenada and of Her other Realm and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth
• 1975: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of Papua New Guinea and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of Commonwealth
• 1978: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Solomon Islands and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of Commonwealth
• 1978: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of Tuvalu and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of Commonwealth
• 1979: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of Saint Lucia and of Her other Realm and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth
• 1979: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and of Her other Realm and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth
• 1981: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of Belize and of Her other Realm and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth
• 1982: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of Antigua and Barbuda and of Her other Realm and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth
• 1983: Her Majesty Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of Saint Christopher and Nevis and of Her other Realm and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth
  
  

Commonwealth of Nation Honors

United Kingdom

• 1935-1952: Member of the Royal Family, Order of King George V
• 1952-Present: Sovereign of the Royal Family, Order of King George V
• 1937-1952: Member of the Royal Family, Order of King George VI
• 1952-Present: Sovereign of the Royal Family, Order of King George VI
• 1947-1952: Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of Garter
• 1952-Present: Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of Garter
• 1947-1952: Member of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India
• 1952-Present: Sovereign of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India
• 1951-1952: Lady of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council
• 1952: Sovereign of the Most Ancient and Most Noble order of the Thistle
• 1952: Sovereign of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick
• 1952: Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath
• 1952: Sovereign of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George
• 1952: Sovereign of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
• 1952: Sovereign of the Distinguished Service Order
• 1952: Sovereign of the Imperial Service Order
• 1952: Sovereign of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India
• 1952: Sovereign of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire
• 1952: Sovereign of the Order of British India
• 1952: Sovereign of the Indian Order of Merit
• 1952: Sovereign of the Order of Burma
• 1952: Sovereign of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert
• 1952: Sovereign of the Royal Family Order of King Edward VII
• 1952: Sovereign of the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II

British Commonwealth

• 1947-1952: Dame Grand Cross of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem
• 1952-Present: Sovereign Head of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem
• 1952: Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order
• 1952: Sovereign of the Order of Merit
• 1952: Sovereign of the Order of the Companions of Honour

Canada

• 1957: Chief Hunter of the Order of Buffalo Hunt
• 1967: Sovereign of the Order of Canada
• 1972: Sovereign of the Order of Military Merit
• 2000: Sovereign of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces

Australia

• 1975: Sovereign Head of the Order of Australia

New Zealand

• 1975: Sovereign Head of the Queen's Service Order
• 1987: Sovereign of the Order of New Zealand
• 1996: Sovereign of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Antigua and Barbuda

• 1998: Sovereign of the Order of the National Hero
• 1998: Sovereign of the Order of the Nation
• 1998: Sovereign of the Order of Merit
• 1998: Sovereign of the Order of Princely Heritage

Barbados

• 1980: Sovereign of the Order of Barbados

Belize

• 1991: Sovereign of the Order of the National Hero
• 1991: Sovereign of the Order of Belize
• 1991: Sovereign of the Order of Distinction

Papua New Guinea

• 2005: Sovereign of the Order of Logohu
• 2005: Sovereign of the Order of the Star of Melanesia

Saint Kitts and Nevis

• 1997; Grand Master of the Order of the National Hero

Saint Lucia

• 1980: Sovereign of the Order of Saint Lucia

Solomon Islands

• 1980: Sovereign of the Order of Star
• 1980: Member First Class of the Order of Solomon Islands

Military Ranks

• 1945 – Jul. 27, 1945: Second Subaltern, Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).
• Jul. 27, 1945 – Feb. 1, 1949: Junior Commander, Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).
• Feb. 1, 1949 – Mar. 1950: Junior Commander, Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC).
• Mar. 1950 – Feb. 6, 1952: Captain, Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC).
• Feb. 6, 1952 – present: Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces.
• Feb. 6, 1952 – Feb. 1, 1968: Commander-in-Chief, Royal Canadian Air Force
• Feb. 6, 1952 – Feb. 1, 1968: Commander-in-Chief, Canadian Army
• Feb. 6, 1952 – Feb. 1, 1968: Commander-in-Chief, Royal Canadian Navy
• 1964 – Jun. 10, 2011: Lord High Admiral of the Royal Navy.
• Feb. 1, 1968 – the present: Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces.
• 1990: Head of the New Zealand Defense Force

Military Medals and Decorations

United Kingdom

• 1945: Defence Medal,
• 1945: War Medal 1939-1945

Commonwealth

• 1935: King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
• 1937: King George VI Coronation Medal

Canada

• 1951: Canadian Forces Decoration

 
Honorary Military Positions Presently Held

• 1947: Colonel-in-Chief of Le Régiment de la Chaudière
• 1947: Colonel-in-Chief of the 48th Highlanders of Canada
• 1949: Honorary Brigadier of the Women's Royal Army Corps
• 1950: Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada
• 1952: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery
• 1952: Colonel-in-Chief of the Life Guards
• 1952: Colonel-in-Chief of the Coldstream Guards
• 1952: Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards
• 1952: Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish Guards
• 1952: Colonel-in-Chief of the Scots Guards
• 1952: Colonel-in-Chief of the Welsh Guards
• 1952: Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of Royal Engineers
• 1952: Captain-General of the Royal Regiment of Artillery
• 1952: Captain-General of the Honourable Artillery Company
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Tank Regiment
• 1953: Air-Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
• 1953: Air-Commodore-in-Chief of the RAF Regiment
• 1953: Air-Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Observer Corps
• 1953: Commandant-in-Chief of RAF College, Cranwell
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Governor-General’s Horse Guard
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the King’s Own Calgary Regiment
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal 22e Regiment
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Governor General’s Foot Guards
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Canadian Grenadier Guards
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Canadian Guards
• 1953: Captain-General of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Engineers
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian army Nursing Corps
• 1953: Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Australian Citizen Air Force
• 1953: Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers
• 1953: Captain-General of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery
• 1953: Captain-General of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps
• 1953: Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Territorial Air Force of New Zealand
• 1956: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Brunswick Regiment
• 1956: Honorary Colonel of the Queen's Own Warwickshire & Worcestershire Yeomanry
• 1964: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
• 1964: Colonel-in-Chief of the Malawi Rifles
• 1969: Colonel-in-Chief of the Blues and Royals
• 1971: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
• 1977: Colonel-in-Chief of the Military Engineers Branch
• 1977: Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of Royal Military Police
• 1977: Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the RAF Marham
• 1981: Colonel-in-Chief of the Calgary Highlanders
• 1992: Colonel-in-Chief of the Adjutant General's Corps
• 1992: Patron of the Royal of the Army Chaplain's Department
• 1993: Affiliated Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen's Gurkha Engineers
• 1993: Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen's Royal Lancers
• 1994: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Regiment
• 2000: Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the 603rd (City of Edinburgh) Squadron
• 2000: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Welsh
• 2000: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regt of Scotland
• 2000: Colonel-in-Chief of the Duke of Lancaster's Regt
• 2000: Royal Colonel of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
• 2000:(5th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland)
• 2012: Commissioner-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  
  

Honorary Scholastic Degree

• 1946: Bachelor of Music (BMus) honoris causa, University of London, UK.
• 1948: Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) honoris causa, University of Oxford, UK.
• 1949: Doctor of Music (DMus) honoris causa, University of Wales, UK.
• 1951: Doctor of Laws (LLD) honoris causa, University of Edinburgh, UK.
• 1951: Doctor of Laws (LLD) honoris causa, University of London, UK.
  
  

Other Honorary Positions

• 1947: Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Drapers, UK.
• 1947: Honorary Member and Patron, Institution of Civil Engineers, UK.
• 1951: Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Surgeon of England, UK
• 1951: Honorary Fellow, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, UK.
• 1947-1952: Fellow of the Royal Society, UK.