The spectacle of a coronation dates back over 1000 years. It happened at Westminster Abbey in London, England. Elizabeth was 27 years of age, married to 30 year-old Philip Mountbatten (a distant cousin), who became the Duke of Edinburgh.

Elizabeth was daughter to the second in line to the throne. But her uncle, and first in line, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne over his decision to marry Wallis Warfield Simpson, an American divorcee. Thus Elizabeth's father, King George VI, was crowned King in his place.

Elizabeth has had four children, two before being crowned Queen, Prince Charles, born in 1948, and Princess Anne, born in 1950. Whilst serving as monarch she gave birth to Prince Andrew in 1960 and Prince Edward in 1964.

Her constitutional position in the United Kingdom is little more of that of nominal Head of State, with the main power held in the democratically elected House of Commons, with the main leader of the largest party there being the Prime Minister.