In 1946, Elizabeth turned 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 entire 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 had been married in a comparatively easy ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Nov. 20, 1947. Elizabeth needed to acquire clothes coupons for her gown as Britain was nonetheless recovering from the battle.
They’d their first baby, and Elizabeth’s inheritor presumptive, Charles — the longer term Prince of Wales — on Nov. 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace. Their second baby, Anne, was born in 1950.
Whereas Philip was stationed in Malta on naval obligation, Princess Elizabeth visited him 4 occasions. Nevertheless, after King George was identified with lung most cancers in 1951 and underwent surgical procedure to take away half 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 girl who had flown to East Africa as a princess returned to Britain a queen.
