Career Timeline of Elizabeth II: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Elizabeth II, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Elizabeth II reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms from 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states and monarch of 15 at the time of her death. Her reign, lasting 70 years and 214 days, is the longest of any British monarch and the second-longest of any sovereign.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1922: Consultation with 1922 Committee

After Eden's resignation, Elizabeth consulted with Lord Salisbury, Lord Kilmuir, and the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, resulting in the appointment of Harold Macmillan as prime minister.

1943: First solo public appearance

In 1943, Elizabeth undertook her first solo public appearance on a visit to the Grenadier Guards.

July 1944: Counsellor of State

In July 1944, Parliament changed the law so that Elizabeth could act as one of five counsellors of state in the event of her father's incapacity or absence abroad.

February 1945: Appointment in the Auxiliary Territorial Service

In February 1945, Elizabeth was appointed an honorary second subaltern in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, marking her active involvement in the war effort.

1947: Renewal of commitment to public service

In her accession day message in February 2022, Elizabeth II renewed her commitment to a lifetime of public service, which she had originally made in 1947.

October 1951: Visit to Canada and Washington, DC

In October 1951, Elizabeth visited Canada and Washington, D.C., accompanied by her private secretary Martin Charteris, who carried a draft accession declaration in anticipation of King George VI's potential death during the tour.

February 1952: Elizabeth II Becomes Queen

In February 1952, Elizabeth II ascended to the throne, becoming Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms.

February 1952: Accession to the Throne

In February 1952, Elizabeth became Queen of seven independent Commonwealth countries upon the death of her father, King George VI.

1952: Accession to the Throne

In 1952, Elizabeth II acceded to the throne, inheriting a role as head of multiple independent states within the evolving Commonwealth of Nations.

1952: Death of George VI and Elizabeth's Accession

In early 1952, Elizabeth and Philip were in Kenya when news arrived of the death of Elizabeth's father, George VI. On February 6, 1952, Philip broke the news to Elizabeth, who chose to retain Elizabeth as her regnal name, becoming Elizabeth II. She was proclaimed queen and returned to the United Kingdom, moving into Buckingham Palace.

1953: Commonwealth Tour

In 1953, Elizabeth II and Prince Philip embarked on a seven-month round-the-world tour, visiting 13 countries and covering over 40,000 miles. She became the first reigning monarch of Australia and New Zealand to visit those nations.

1953: Coronation of Elizabeth II

In 1953, Elizabeth II was officially crowned, marking her formal ascension to the throne.

1957: State Visit to the United States and Opening of Canadian Parliament

In 1957, Elizabeth II made a state visit to the United States, addressing the United Nations General Assembly, and opened the 23rd Canadian Parliament as the first monarch of Canada to do so.

1961: Tours of Cyprus, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Iran and Ghana

In 1961, Elizabeth II toured Cyprus, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Iran. During a visit to Ghana the same year, she dismissed fears for her safety despite the risk of assassination attempts on President Kwame Nkrumah.

1963: Appointment of Alec Douglas-Home

In 1963, Elizabeth II appointed Alec Douglas-Home as prime minister on the advice of Harold Macmillan, leading to further criticism.

1965: Conservative Party Leadership Election Mechanism

In 1965, the Conservative Party adopted a formal mechanism for electing a leader, relieving Elizabeth II of her involvement in the selection process.

1970: First Royal Walkabout

In 1970, Elizabeth II instituted a new practice: her first royal walkabout, meeting ordinary members of the public, which took place during a tour of Australia and New Zealand.

October 1972: Visit to Yugoslavia

In October 1972, Elizabeth II toured Yugoslavia, becoming the first British monarch to visit a communist country. She was received by President Josip Broz Tito in Belgrade.

February 1974: General Election Called

In February 1974, British prime minister Edward Heath advised Elizabeth to call a general election in the middle of her tour of the Austronesian Pacific Rim, requiring her to fly back to Britain.

1977: Silver Jubilee

In 1977, Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee with enthusiastic crowds and celebrations.

1986: State Visit to China

In 1986, Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to visit the People's Republic of China, touring sites such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.

May 1991: Address to US Congress

In May 1991, following the Gulf War victory, Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress.

October 1994: Visit to Russia

In October 1994, Elizabeth II became the first reigning British monarch to set foot on Russian soil.

1994: State Visit to Russia

In 1994, Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to Russia, further strengthening international relations.

October 1997: State Visit to India and Jallianwala Bagh

In October 1997, Elizabeth II made a state visit to India, including a visit to the site of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Despite protests, she and Philip laid a wreath and stood for a moment of silence.

1999: Opening of Welsh and Scottish Legislatures

In 1999, as part of devolution in the UK, Elizabeth II formally opened the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff in May and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh in July.

2002: Golden Jubilee

In 2002, Elizabeth II marked her Golden Jubilee. She undertook an extensive tour of her realms, and there were street parties and commemorative events. One million people attended each day of the three-day main Jubilee celebration in London.

2002: Meeting with Canadian Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson

In 2002, Elizabeth II told Canadian governor-general Adrienne Clarkson in a meeting that she would never abdicate, saying, "It is not our tradition. Although, I suppose if I became completely gaga, one would have to do something."

December 2007: Longest-lived British monarch

In December 2007, Elizabeth II surpassed Queen Victoria to become the longest-lived British monarch.

March 2008: Maundy Service in Armagh

On March 20, 2008, Elizabeth II attended the first Maundy service held outside England and Wales at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.

2010: Address to UN General Assembly

In 2010, Elizabeth II addressed the UN General Assembly for a second time, as Queen of all Commonwealth realms and Head of the Commonwealth.

May 2011: State Visit to the Republic of Ireland

In May 2011, Elizabeth II made the first state visit to the Republic of Ireland by a British monarch.

October 2011: Visit to Australia

In October 2011, Elizabeth II's 11-day visit to Australia marked her 16th visit to the country since 1954.

2011: State Visit to the Republic of Ireland

In 2011, Queen Elizabeth II made a historic state visit to the Republic of Ireland, symbolizing reconciliation and strengthened relations.

2012: Opened London Olympics

In 2012, Elizabeth II opened the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in London, becoming the first head of state to open two Olympic Games in two countries. She portrayed herself in a short film with Daniel Craig as James Bond for the opening ceremony.

2012: Diamond Jubilee

In 2012, the Diamond Jubilee marked 60 years since Elizabeth II's accession, with celebrations held throughout her realms and beyond. Jubilee beacons were lit around the world on June 4.

January 2015: Oldest living monarch

In January 2015, Elizabeth II became the oldest living monarch following the death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

September 2015: Longest-reigning British monarch

In September 2015, Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning British monarch, the longest-reigning queen regnant, and the longest-reigning female head of state in the world.

October 2016: Longest-reigning current monarch and head of state

In October 2016, following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state.