Elizabeth ii of england wedding

How they met

Princess Elizabeth, born 21 April 1926, was the first child of Albert, Duke of York, and his wife, formerly Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

The abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, in December 1936 meant her father became king and she became heir.

Elizabeth was educated at home.

In 1940, she and her sister Margaret were evacuated to Windsor Castle to escape the Blitz. Their parents remained at London's Buckingham Palace - a promise made to the nation at the start of World War II.

Philip Mountbatten was born 10 June 1921 on the Greek island of Corfu, the youngest child and only son of Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

His early years were spent in France, but he came to England in 1928.

He attended Gordonstoun boarding school in Scotland, after which he joined the Royal Navy and saw active service in WWII.

Elizabeth and Philip were distant cousins, and first met at a wedding in 1934.

After meeting again in 1939, they began to exchange letters.