Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. Her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British monarch and the longest verified reign of any female monarch in history. She ascended to the throne at age 25 following the death of her father, King George VI, and served as monarch of 15 realms at the time of her death. Born in London as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother), her early life was shaped by the 1936 abdication crisis, which made her the presumptive heir. She received private education focusing on constitutional history, languages, and public speaking, and during World War II trained as a mechanic and driver in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, becoming the first female royal family member to serve actively in the armed forces. Throughout her reign, she navigated significant changes including decolonization, the Cold War, and Commonwealth transformation, undertaking extensive overseas visits to promote diplomatic relations. Known for her sense of duty, resilience, and apolitical stance, her personal life included marriage to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, with whom she had four children: Charles (later King Charles III), Anne, Andrew, and Edward. Later decades saw family scandals including divorces of three children and the 1997 death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Her Platinum Jubilee in 2022 celebrated her enduring legacy before her death at age 96 at Balmoral Castle, succeeded by her son Charles III. She remained a symbol of stability and continuity through rapid global change.