Queen Elizabeth II became queen on 6 February 1952, immediately after the death of her father, King George VI.

Quick Scoop: When did Queen Elizabeth II become queen?

  • She became queen the moment King George VI died in the early hours of 6 February 1952.
  • She was in Kenya on a royal tour when she was told of her father’s death and her accession.
  • She was 25 years old when her reign began.
  • Her coronation (the big formal ceremony) took place later, on 2 June 1953, at Westminster Abbey.

Accession vs Coronation (simple breakdown)

  • Accession :
    • Date: 6 February 1952
    • What happened: Elizabeth automatically became Queen the instant King George VI died, as the crown passes immediately to the heir.
  • Coronation :
    • Date: 2 June 1953
    • What happened: A grand ceremony in Westminster Abbey formally crowning her as Queen Elizabeth II in front of the nation and the Commonwealth.

Timeline at a glance

  • 31 January 1952 – Princess Elizabeth leaves London to begin a Commonwealth tour in place of her ill father.
  • 6 February 1952 – King George VI dies; Elizabeth instantly becomes Queen Elizabeth II while in Kenya.
  • 7 February 1952 – She returns to the UK and is greeted as the new monarch.
  • 2 June 1953 – Coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Mini Q&A

Q: So which date “counts” as when she became queen?
A: Historically and legally, she became queen on 6 February 1952 (accession), not on her coronation day.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.