Elizabeth II

The Falklands Celebrate Her Majesty's 80th Birthday

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born at 21 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. Her father was H.R.H. The Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI) and her mother was H.R.H. The Duchess of York. Princess Elizabeth was named after her mother, while her two middle names are those of her paternal great-grandmother Queen Alexandra and grandmother Queen Mary respectively. At the time of her birth, she was third in the line of succession to the crown, behind her father and her uncle, H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII. Although her birth generated public interest, no one could have predicted that she would become Queen.

Queen Elizabeth the Second

When her father became King in 1936 upon King Edward VIII's abdication, she became heiress presumptive and was henceforth known as H.R.H. The Princess Elizabeth. On 6 February 1952 King George VI died and Princess Elizabeth ascended to the title of Queen Elizabeth the Second. Queen Elizabeth is the most widely traveled head of state in history. In 1953-54 she and Prince Philip made a six-month round-the-world tour, becoming the first reigning monarch to circumnavigate the globe.

Memories

There are far too many notable events in the life of a monarch who has already reigned for 53 years to detail. But some of the most notable must include: the birth of her children and grand children, Queen Elizabeth giving her first Christmas message when she sat in the same chair and used the same desk as her father King George VI and began with "Each Christmas, at this time my beloved father broadcast a message to his people in all parts of the world. presenting the Football World Cup to the successful English team in 1966, the Investiture of her oldest son Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969 and most recently the Golden jubilee celebrations in London during 2002 with Concorde and the Red Arrows performing their flypast over Buckingham Palace.

Falklands celebrates

Situated 8,000 miles away from Britain, the people of the Falkland Islands have a great and long lasting affinity to the United Kingdom, which can be traced back to 1766 when the first British Settlement on the Islands was created.
230 years later, the Falkland Islands Post Office celebrated the 80th Birthday of Her Majesty with the release of a sparkling set of four stamps and a miniature sheet, which reflect the gracious and smiling face of Her Majesty. Despite the unflagging work that she undertakes, Her Majesty always has time to acknowledge her subjects with interest and a smile of encouragement.

Postage stamps in detail

Issue: Falkland Islands
Design: Andrew Robinson
Printing: offset by BDT International Lithography
Perforation: 14 per 2cms
Stamp sizes: 28.45 x 42.58mm, Miniature sheet 64 x 94mm

More information

Postage Stamps 2006
Stamps Falkland Islands
Brunel's ss Great Britain
Elizabeth's 80th birthday
World War II - Falkland Islands
Princess Diana