Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam
The Gazette, the UK's Official Public Record, has recorded important information about the Royal Family, including births, deaths and marriages, for over 350 years.
Following the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II in The Gazette
Birth of Princess Elizabeth Alexandra May - 21 April 1926, Issue 33153
The Queen was born “at twenty minutes before three o’clock” at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. She was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later George VI and The Queen Mother).
Birth of Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret Rose – 21 August 1930, Issue 33636
The Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret was born at Glamis Castle in Scotland “at 22 minutes after 9 o'clock” on 21 August 1930 and was the youngest daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Abdication of Edward VIII and accession of George VI – 10 December 1936, Issue 34349
Princess Elizabeth became heir apparent to the throne following the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, and the subsequent accession of her father, George VI.
First appointment in the Auxiliary Territorial Service – 24 February 1945, Issue 36973
At 18 years old, Princess Elizabeth (service number 230873) was appointed as an honorary second subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women's branch of the British Army during World War 2.
Award of the rank of honorary junior commander in the ATS – 26 July 1945, Issue 37205
Princess Elizabeth trained as a driver and mechanic and was given the rank of honorary junior commander in July 1945.
Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. George VI declared his Consent to a Contract of Matrimony in July 1947.
Birth of the Queen’s first son, Prince Charles Philip Arthur George – 14 November 1948, Issue 38455
Charles, Prince of Wales, was born at Buckingham Palace “at fourteen minutes after nine o’clock” on 14 November 1948 and would become heir apparent of Queen Elizabeth II.
Birth of Princess Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise – 15 August 1950, Issue 38995
Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh’s second child and only daughter, Princess Anne was delivered “at 11.50 o’clock” at Clarence House on 15 August 1950.
Death of King George VI and Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne – 6 February 1952, Issue 39458
Queen Elizabeth II was proclaimed sovereign throughout her realms after her father, King George VI, died in his sleep at Sandringham in the early hours of 6 February 1952.
Accession Declaration to Privy Council – 8 February 1952, Issue 39467
Elizabeth II made her Accession Declaration to her Privy Council at St James Palace on 8 February 1952, where she promised ‘to uphold constitutional government and to advance the happiness and prosperity of my Peoples, spread as they are all the world over.’
Funeral of the Queen’s father, George VI – 15 February 1952, Issue 39575
George VI was buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on 15 February 1952, following a State Funeral in the Chapel.
First Investiture of the Queen's reign – 27 February 1952, Issue 39418
Though the award was made by George VI, the first recipient of an honour from Elizabeth II was Private William Speakman VC, “1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers, in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea.”
Declaration of Windsor as the family name – 9 April 1952, Issue 39513
The Queen declared that “She and Her children shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor”, with no reference to Mountbatten.
Declaration of Philip’s ‘Place, Pre-eminence and Precedence’ – 26 September 1952, Issue 39657
Dated 18 September 1952, the Queen declared that the Duke of Edinburgh would “have, hold and enjoy Place, Pre-eminence and Precedence next to Her Majesty.”
Coronation of Elizabeth II – 2 June 1953, Issue 39566
The Queen’s coronation took place at Westminster Abbey with 8,251 guests in attendance. It was the first coronation service to be televised and was watched by 27 million people in Britain. The order of procession was published in The Gazette (17 November 1953, Issue 40020).
Declaration of Mountbatten-Windsor surname for descendants – 8 February 1960, Issue 41948
The Queen declared that, after “further consideration”, her male descendants who would not enjoy “neither the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness” or “Prince” would bear the name Mountbatten-Windsor.
Birth of Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward – 19 February 1960, Issue 41961
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s third child and second son, Prince Andrew was delivered at Buckingham Palace on 19 February 1960 “at thirty minutes after three o'clock”.
Birth of Prince Edward Antony Richard Louis – 10 March 1964, Issue 43268
On 10 March 1964, Prince Edward was born “at twenty minutes after eight o’clock” at Buckingham Palace. He was the fourth and final child of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Commemorative Silver Wedding Anniversary coinage – 27 October 1972, Issue 45812
The Gazette announced the issuing of coins to mark Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip’s Silver Wedding Anniversary.
Silver Jubilee Birthday honours – 11 June 1977, Issue 47234
The 1977 Silver Jubilee and Birthday honours were announced to celebrate 25 years of the Queen’s reign.
Birth of Peter Phillips, the Queen’s first grandchild – 15 November 1977, Issue 47380
On 15 November 1977, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips’ first child was safely delivered at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London “at 10.46 o'clock” in the morning. Their second child and the Queen’s first granddaughter, Zara Phillips was born on 15 May 1981.
Birth of Prince William Arthur Philip Louis – 21 June 1982, Issue 49027
Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, then Princess of Wales’ first child was born on 21 June 1982 “at 9.03 o’clock” in the evening at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. Prince William was born second in the line to succeed his grandmother, Elizabeth II.
Birth of Prince Henry Charles Albert David – 15 September 1984, Issue 49869
Prince Charles’ second son and the Queen’s fourth grandchild, Prince ‘Harry’ was delivered in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London on 15 September 1984 “at 4.20 o'clock” in the afternoon.
Birth of Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary – 8 August 1988, Issue 51436
On 8 August 1988, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the Duke and Duchess of York’s first child was born “at 8.18 o'clock” in the evening at the Portland Hospital, London.
Birth of Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena – 23 March 1990, Issue 52087
The Duke and Duchess of York’s second child was delivered “at 7.58 o'clock” in the evening on 23 March 1990 at the Portland Hospital, London. Princess Eugenie was the Queen’s sixth grandchild.
Death of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother – 30 March 2002, Issue 56523
On 30 March 2002, it was announced that the Queen’s “beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth died peacefully in Her sleep at 3.15 this afternoon, at Royal Lodge, Windsor”. She was 101 years old. The Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon died seven weeks prior on 9 February at the age of 71.
The Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations – 5 August 2002, Issue 56654
The Queen celebrated 50 years since her ascension to the throne in 2002 by visiting 70 cities and towns in Britain and 50 counties, over 38 days, from May to August. Honours were published in August with appointments to the Royal Victorian Order for services in connection with the Golden Jubilee.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations – 1 June 2012, Issue 60160
A special supplement of The London Gazette was released in 2012, detailing the addresses given by parliament and privileged bodies to the Queen to mark her 60-year Diamond Jubilee celebration.
Birth of Prince George Alexander Louis – 22 July 2013, Issue 60576
The first son of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cornwall was born on 22 July 2013 “at 4:24 o’clock” at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London. Prince George became the Queen’s third great-grandchild and third in the line of succession to the British throne.
Birth of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana – 2 May 2015, Issue 61216
The second child of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge was delivered “at 08.34” in the morning on 2 May 2015 at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London. Princess Charlotte was born fourth in the line of succession to the throne.
Longest reigning monarch in British history – 9 September 2015
On 9 September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning monarch in British history.
Birth of Prince Louis Arthur Charles – 23 April 2018, Issue 62265
Prince William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child was born at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London “at 11.01am” on 23 April 2018. He was born fifth in the line of succession to the British throne.
Birth of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor – 6 May 2019, Issue 62640
On 6 May 2019, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s first child was delivered. Born “at 05.26” in the morning, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor was the Queen’s eight great-grandchild.
Death of The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh – 9 April 2021, Issue 63316
On the morning of 9 April 2021, the Queen’s husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss
Death of Queen Elizabeth II – 8 September 2022, Issue 63808
Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral on 8 September 2022. A statement from Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen’s demise. The statement read: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” Her son, Charles III became King.
General mourning for Queen Elizabeth II – 9 September 2022, Issue 63810
The day after her passing, the Earl Marshal’s order for general mourning for Elizabeth II was published in The Gazette. It read: “This is to give public notice that to give all persons the opportunity to mark the present occasion of the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of blessed memory a period of mourning is hereby instituted which will last until after Her Late Majesty’s Funeral.”