Queen Elizabeth II: Modern Monarch

When Queen Elizabeth II was born, no one expected her to become queen.

But after her grandfather died, her uncle unexpectedly gave up the throne, and her father became king. She became next in line to rule Great Britain. Elizabeth began preparing to be queen, continuing her education and even serving in the Armed Forces as a mechanic during World War II.

On the day of her coronation in 1953, millions of people poured into the streets to celebrate. Since then, she has guided Great Britain through more than six decades filled with political and social change, traveled to countries around the world, and welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Follow the life of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning British monarch in history.