60 years of milestones for Queen Elizabeth II


Queen Elizabeth II is only the second British monarch to rule for 60 years. The first was Queen Victoria, who celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and reigned for another four years afterward.

Elizabeth, who was born April 21, 1926, celebrated her 86th birthday last month.

She was crowned in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, after ascending to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.

She's married to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and is the mother of four -- Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward.

Charles, Prince of Wales, is first in line for the throne, followed by his son William, Duke of Cambridge.

Among the highlights of Elizabeth's years on the throne are:


Her coronation is the first to be televised.


Suez Crisis involves British forces. One leading publication criticizes the queen for being "out of touch."

Elizabeth comes to the United States and addresses the United Nations General Assembly.


The queen makes her first "walkabout," meeting the commoners of New Zealand and Australia.


Elizabeth celebrates her Silver Jubilee.


Anthony Blunt, a royal photographer, is identified as a communist spy.

Margaret Thatcher is elected prime minister. She serves for 11 years.


Prince Charles marries Diana Spencer.


The queen awakes in her bedroom at Buckingham Palace to find an intruder, Michael Fagan. She calls the palace police.

Elizabeth hosts President Ronald Reagan at Windsor Castle.

Falklands War with Argentina. It lasts nine weeks.


Following the success of the Gulf War, in which Britain was a major participant, the queen addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress.


Elizabeth's second son, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, separates from his wife, Sarah, Duchess of York.

Daughter Anne, Princess Royal, divorces her husband, Capt. Mark Phillips.

Charles and Princess Diana formally separate.

In a speech to mark her 40th anniversary as queen, Elizabeth declares 1992 her "annus horribilis," or "horrible year."


Charles and Diana divorce.


Diana is killed in a Paris car crash.


The queen attends a state dinner at the White House with President George W. Bush.


Elizabeth addresses the U.N. General Assembly for the second time.


The queen visits Australia for the 16th time. Royal watchers call the visit by the queen and her 90-year-old husband her "farewell tour."

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