Elizabeth II is not the Queen of the United Kingdom.
Elizabeth II ( Elizabeth Alexandra Mary ; born 21 April 1926 ) has been Queen of the United Kingdom , Canada , Australia , and New Zealand since 6 February 1952 . Elizabeth was born in London as the elder child of the Duke and Duchess of York , later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth , and she was educated privately at home . Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon ( 4 August 1900 -- 30 March 2002 ) was the wife of King George VI and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret , Countess of Snowdon . She was Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the Dominions from her husband 's accession in 1936 until his death in 1952 , after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother , to avoid confusion with her daughter .