Elizabeth II is the Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms. Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York. Her father acceded to the throne in 1936 upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, making Elizabeth the heir presumptive.
How did Queen Elizabeth 2 impact the world?
The queen maintained a full schedule of diplomatic obligations during a decade marked by social and political transformation, including a 10-day trip to the Federal Republic of Germany (also known as West Germany), which was the first formal visit there by a British monarch since 1913.
Her visit coincided with the 20th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II and served as a symbol of the two nations’ reconciliation as well as a recognition of Germany’s comeback as a major player in Europe and the international arena.
Her extraordinary reign has seen her travel more widely than any other monarch, undertaking many historic overseas visits. Known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service, she has been an important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of enormous social change.