I was born in London on 21 April 1926, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, subsequently King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Five weeks later I was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the chapel at Buckingham Palace.
In 1952, my father King George VI's illness forced him to abandon his proposed visit to Australia and New Zealand. Prince Philip and I took his place on the journey, instead.On 6 February, during the first stage of this journey, in Kenya, I received the news of my father's death and my own accession to the throne.My Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953.
