Queen Elizabeth II (1926 -2022)

Yesterday (Monday 19th September), our team and the rest of Great Britain said a final goodbye to Her Majesty.

Nearly a million people lined the streets of London and more than 4.1 billion watched on TV. It was such a sad and emotional occasion for everyone.

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning monarch of 70 years, followed by Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years.

We reflect back now at her wonderful life and here are some facts that you may not have known about this amazing and inspiring woman.

• In her youth Princess Elizabeth (as she was known then) was taught at home, not school. 
• At the age of 11 she joined the Girl Guides.
• During the Second World War, she served as a mechanic in the army.
• She married Prince Phillip when she as 21 years old at Westminster Abbey.
• In 1948 their first child, (now King Charkes III) was born, followed by a sister and two more brothers in subsequent years.
• Princess Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen, aged 25, when her father, King George VI died.
• She was head of the Church of England and the Armed Forces.
• She had to remain impartial in government matters and was not allowed to vote.
• The royal family chose the surname Windsor after Windsor Castle.
• The Queen had 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
• She owned more than 30 Corgis and Dorgis during her reign.