Labels:text | human face | fashion accessory | smile | crown | person | woman OCR: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Elizabeth II Elizabeth II The longest-reigning British monarch since Queen Victoria, Elizabeth began her reign in 1952. During her first 40 years on the throne, she witnessed significant changes in attitudes toward the institution of the monarchy in general and toward members of the British royal family in particular. Until she was ten there was little likelihood of Elizabeth ever becoming queen. This changed with the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, in 1936. Her father then became George VI and she the heir apparent. She married at 21, and on her father's early death became queen at 25. She inaugurated changes within the monarchy, modernizing and relaxing some traditions, while retaining her ceremonial role. From the outset she attached great importance to her position as head of the Elizabeth II, queen of the Commonwealth, the association of former United Kingdom, 1926 - countries of the British Empire. Her role as head of state involved her in the appointment of successors to two resigning prime ministers: Harold Macmillan as successor to Anthony Eden in 1957, and Lord Home as successor to Macmillan in 1963. CHRONOLOGY
