Here's What Queen Elizabeth Was Really Like Before She Was Queen

Queen Elizabeth II's worldwide influence since being queened is undeniable. But how much do you really know about the long-reigning monarch's life in the 25 years before she actually became the sovereign? It turns out there's more to her than just the crown. Though Queen Elizabeth embodies royalty so seamlessly that it feels as if she must've been prepared for life as the queen since the day she was born, this actually isn't the case at all. According to BBC's History Extra, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was not expected to ascend the throne at all. Britain was in turmoil at the time of her birth due to several concurrent events like post-war financial problems, plummeting coal prices, pressure on the mining industry, and outrage over the government's plan to reduce the wages of miners. Nevertheless, Britain's then-home secretary Sir William Joynson took time out of his busy schedule to meet the baby princess right away. Princess Elizabeth, as she was then called, was born to the Duke and Duchess of York, and was the first grandchild of the then-reigning King George V. The princess was christened at Buckingham Palace two weeks after birth. Nevertheless, the princess was third in line to the throne at the time of her birth, so you could liken her former odds of ruling to Prince George's. Keep watching to see Here's What Queen Elizabeth Was Really Like Before She Was Queen. #TheQueen #QueenElizabeth #Royals Born amidst turmoil | 0:00 Nickname for King George V | 1:18 Surprisingly normal upbringing | 2:12 Queen because of her uncle | 2:52 Met her eventual husband young | 4:03 Elizabeth during World War II | 5:03 Reunion and an unhappy king | 5:56 Began royal duties at 18 | 6:56 First international tour at 21 | 7:55 She married Philip in 1947 | 8:47 Philip was sent to Malta | 9:28 Welcomed their first two children | 10:11 Ascended the throne in 1953 | 10:54