England's queen

Where would you want to be when you found out you were going to become the queen of England? Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor of York discovered her new fate as she traveled through Kenya. Her father, King George VI, had been ill and died while she was away, leaving Elizabeth heir to the English throne just shy of her 26th birthday.

Her trip to the top of the royal family took many twists along the way. Her uncle, Edward VIII, left the throne in 1936 to marry an American woman who had been divorced. This caused a major scandal in England, as well as moving Elizabeth's father in line to the monarchy. She was 10 years old when these changes began, and she became Princess Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's first official duty was on the radio in 1940 at the age of 14. She spoke for four minutes. The princess told the world the British children are "full of cheerfulness and courage." She maintained her composure despite the fact that throughout her address, London was being bombed during one of the World War II air raids.

Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten on Nov. 20, 1947. In the British monarchy, the husband of royalty doesn't have any special privileges or titles. He also doesn't have a say in the affairs of the monarchy. It is interesting to note, however, that if a woman marries royalty, it is traditional for her to take the title of her husband. For instance, a woman marrying a king becomes a queen through her marriage even though she doesn't have a royal bloodline. Her husband's royal title would not transfer to her, however, and she would have no right to rule if her husband died.

The transfer of power in the British royal family passes through the male members. Following Queen Elizabeth, the succession of power would begin with her older son, Prince Charles. If he were unable to take the crown, it would belong to Prince William, Charles' older son. The line continues with Prince Henry, Charles' younger son. There are at least five members of the family in line after them, three of whom are young girls in places five, six and eight in the succession line.

Elizabeth has been in the service of her country most of her life and is expected to rule until her death. On her 21st birthday she pledged a lifetime of devotion to the service of her people. A queen can give up the throne, but it rarely happens and would need the approval of Parliament.

For more fun reading and other activities, try these Web sites:    • Biography of Her Majesty    • The Monarchy Today