Queen Elizabeth II in Surrey
A timeline focused on key events in Queen Elizabeth II's life and visits she has made to Surrey.
For further information why not borrow some of these [books from Surrey Libraries.](http://www.surreylibraries.org/02_Catalogue/02_004_TitleResults.aspx?page=1&searchTerm=%23QE2JUB2012&searchType=99&searchTerm2=&media=&branch=&authority=&language=&junior=&referrer=02_001_Search.aspx);xNLx;;xNLx;Or take a look at [Surrey Libraries online resources.](http://www1.surreycc.gov.uk/libraries/reference/) Some of these resources will ask you to login with your Surrey library card number.;xNLx;;xNLx;[Biography of Queen Elizabeth II](http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?entry=t44.e528&srn=4&ssid=1197596774#FIRSTHIT);xNLx;;xNLx;Resources used to build this timeline include:;xNLx;[Credo Reference](http://www.credoreference.com/topic/elizabeth_ii_1926);xNLx;[Proquest Newstand](http://search.proquest.com/barcode?accountid=17079&groupid=91407);xNLx;[Encyclopædia Britannica](http://library.eb.co.uk/all/eb/article-9032408);xNLx;[British Pathe News](http://www.britishpathe.com/);xNLx;[Oxford Reference Online](http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/GLOBAL.html);xNLx;[Youtube](http://www.youtube.com/);xNLx;;xNLx;Background Royal insignia (c) [Sodacan](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sodacan)
1926-04-21 00:00:00
Birth of Queen Elizabeth II
Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary born to Elizabeth & Albert, Duchess & Duke of York.
1936-12-11 00:00:00
King Edward VIII abdicates
Edward VIII abdicates the throne following concerns about his relationship with Wallis Simpson.
1937-05-12 00:00:00
King George VI Coronation
King George VI's coronation takes place 6 months after the abdication of his brother King Edward VIII.
1947-11-20 00:00:00
Princess Elizabeth & Prince Philip's Marriage
Princess Elizabeth marries Prince Philip of Greece & Denmark.
1952-02-06 00:00:00
Death of King George VI
King George VI, Princess Elizabeth's father, dies.
1953-06-02 00:00:00
Queen's Coronation
Elizabeth's coronation takes place one year after her father, King George VI's, death.
1953-06-06 00:00:00
Coronation Derby, Epsom
Queen attends the Epsom Derby, a regular occurrence.
1953-10-17 17:34:30
Queen opens Runnymede Air Forces Memorial
The Air Forces Memorial designed by Sir Edward Maufe at Coopers Hill is opened by The Queen.
1953-10-20 00:00:00
Queen presents prayer book to Windlesham parish church
The prayer book was to commemorate the residence of the Duke of Edinburgh and herself at Windlesham Moor.
1957-06-01 00:00:00
Queen visits Guildford & its cathedral
Queen Elizabeth & Prince Philip visit Guidford & its cathedral to view progress on the building of the new nave.
1958-10-25 00:00:00
Queen unveils Brookwood Commonwealth memorial
The Queen unveils the memorial (designed by Ralph Hobday) at Brookwood Military Cemetery, near Woking.
1960-07-15 00:00:00
Queen visits Bisley shooting range
The Queen visits Bisley to attend marksman competition and present The Queen's Prize shooting trophy.
1964-10-30 00:00:00
Queen opens women's barracks in Guildford
The Queen visited the Women's Royal Army Corps to open The Queen's Barracks in Guildford.
1965-05-14 00:00:00
Queen unveils John F Kennedy Memorial in Runnymede
The Queen unveiled a memorial in honour of the assassinated President of the USA in the presence of his widow and family.
1977-01-01 00:00:00
Silver Jubilee year
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee marks 25 years on the throne.
1981-02-27 00:00:00
Queen opens Royal Surrey County Hospital
The Queen & Prince Philip took a tour of the newly built hospital, located in Guildford.
1997-02-21 00:00:00
Queen visits Charterhouse School
Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip visit Charterhouse School, Godalming. The visit included a concert in the Ralph Vaughan Williams Music Centre.
1997-02-21 00:00:00
Queen visits Royal Surrey County Hospital
The Queen opens St Luke's Cancer Wing at Royal Surrey County Hospital.
1998-12-05 00:00:00
Queen visits Surrey Space Centre
The Queen toured the Surrey Space Centre at the University of Surrey. During her tour she presented Professor Martin Sweeting with The Queen's Award for Technological Achievement.
2001-06-14 00:00:00
Queen visits Millennium Embroidery in Sunbury
The 25ft long embroidery is housed at The Walled Garden and celebrates the village of Sunbury-on-Thames. Over 140 people were involved in making it.
2002-01-01 00:00:00
Golden Jubilee year
In 2002 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 50 years on the throne.
2003-10-17 00:00:00
Queen rededicates War Memorial at Runnymede
50 years after its original opening the Queen rededicates the Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorial.
2004-03-19 00:00:00
Queen visits Epsom, Tadworth & Dorking
Queen opens the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre in Epsom General Hospital, before visiting the Children’s Trust in Tadworth, Dorking farmers market and Denbies Wine Estate.
2004-05-12 00:00:00
Queen visits McLaren motor racing in Woking
Queen opens the McLaren Technology Centre during her visit to the McLaren Formula 1 racing team in Woking.
2005-11-04 00:00:00
Queen visits Kingston Grammar School
Whilst there she opens the new £12.5m Queen Elizabeth II Building, housing a performing arts complex.
2006-04-10 00:00:00
Queen's 80th birthday
2006-04-13 00:00:00
Queen attends Maundy Thursday Service at Guildford Cathedral
During the service, The Queen distributed Maundy Money to 80 men and 80 women - one for each of The Queen's 80 years. The tradition dates back to 13th century. The coins were desinged by Polish-born artist Danuta Solowiej-Wedderburn.
2007-06-26 00:00:00
Queen visits Wisley R.H.S.
Opens the new Royal Horticultural Society Glasshouse at Wisley, near Woking.
2007-10-22 00:00:00
Queen visits The Savill Garden
The Queen opened the new rose garden at Savill Garden, near Virginia Water. The Crown Estate commissioned designers Wilson McWilliam Associates to create the Garden.
2007-11-20 00:00:00
Queen and Prince Philip's Diamond Wedding Anniversary
2011-11-18 00:00:00
Queen visits Guildford Cathedral and East Surrey College
The Queen and Prince Philip attended the Cathedral ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the consecration of the cathedral. They later visited East Surrey College at Redhill, where they officially opened the new £63m Gatton Point campus.
2012-01-01 00:00:00
Diamond Jubilee year
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 60 years on the throne in 2012.
2012-03-06 00:00:00
How Surrey is Celebrating the Queen's Jubilee
Find out about Surrey Libraries events and activities surrounding the Queen's Jubilee in 2012. Find out what music was popular during the year of her coronation and the artists performing at the Jubilee concert in June. What fictional lives has she led? How does Elizabeth's reign compare to Queen Victoria's?
2012-06-02 00:00:00
Diamond Jubilee, Central Weekend
The central weekend of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year centre around the The Big Jubilee Lunch, Thames Pageant, Concert at Buckingham Palace, Thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral. The Queen will once again attend the Epsom Derby. Find out how you can get involved in some of the projects.