Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on 21 April 1926, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, and first grandchild of King George V. Due to the 1936 abdication of her uncle Edward VIII, her father unexpectedly became King George VI. This set Elizabeth on a new course, to become Queen.

Key Dates in the Life of Queen Elizabeth II

1926

Birth of Princess Elizabeth

1935

George V Silver Jubilee

1936

Edward VIII accession to the throne 20 January 1936

Edward VIII abdication of the throne 10 December 1936

1937

George VI coronation

1947

Wedding of Princess Elizabeth & Prince Philip

1948

Birth of Prince Charles

1952

Elizabeth II accession to the throne

1953

Elizabeth II coronation

1965

Death of Sir Winston Churchill

1966

First use of cameo profile portrait on stamps

1967

New Machin portrait

1972

Silver Wedding

1977

Silver Jubilee

1978

25th Anniversary of the Coronation

1986

60th Birthday

1992

40th Anniversary of the Accession

1997

Golden Wedding

2002

Golden Jubilee

2003

50th Anniversary of the Coronation

2006

80th Birthday

Illustrations

Elizabeth and Philip wedding postmark

Stamp design to mark birth of Prince

Stamp issued following accession

Stamp to mark coronation

Stamp with small portrait of Queen

First use of cameo profile of Queen

Definitive stamp design by A. Machin

Silver Wedding stamp

Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee stamp

Marking 25 years since Coronation

60th birthday of The Queen stamp

Golden Wedding stamp

Queen's Golden Jubilee stamp

Stamp: 50 years since Coronation

80th birthday stamp