This Day in History: Elizabeth Becomes Queen
This Day in History: Elizabeth Becomes Queen

This Day in History: Elizabeth Becomes Queen February 6, 1952 After a long illness, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland died in his sleep.

Princess Elizabeth — the oldest of the king’s two daughters and next in line to succeed him — was in Kenya at the time of her father’s death.

Groomed as a girl to succeed her father, she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at age 27.

From the start of her reign, Elizabeth understood the value of public relations.

She insisted that her 1953 coronation be televised, despite objections that it would cheapen the ceremony.

The 40th British monarch since William the Conqueror, Elizabeth worked hard at her royal duties and became a popular figure around the world.

She is only the fifth British monarch to celebrate more than 50 years in the throne.

She's one of the world’s wealthiest women, with extensive real-estate holdings and art and jewelry collections.