The Queen was born Princess Elizabeth in 1926, the elder daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. At the time it was not expected that her father would become King, or that she would become Queen

On 6 February 1952 Princess Elizabeth acceded to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II and was crowned the following year on 2 June 1953 in Westminster Abbey

The Queen's reign has spanned six decades of enormous social change and development. Find out about key events involving Her Majesty which have taken place since 1952

60 facts for 60 years: The Queen's life and reign in facts and figures