New
New
Year 1

Elizabeth II's accession and coronation

I can explain how Elizabeth came to be Queen of England.

New
New
Year 1

Elizabeth II's accession and coronation

I can explain how Elizabeth came to be Queen of England.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In 1951, George VI's health began to fail, and Elizabeth and her family returned to England.
  2. Elizabeth, helped by Philip, began to support her father and experience what it would be like to rule.
  3. In 1952, Elizabeth was visiting Kenya, part of the British Empire, when she learnt George VI had died and she was queen.
  4. The night before coronation Elizabeth made a radio broadcast pledging her devotion to her people.
  5. Elizabeth requested that her coronation was the first ever to be broadcast on both radio and television.

Keywords

  • Rule - rule is when someone controls and tells others what to do

  • Coronation - a coronation is when the king or queen is given a crown at a grand ceremony

  • Broadcast - a broadcast is a speech given on the radio or television

  • Accession - the time when someone moves from being an heir to becoming a king or queen is called an accession

Common misconception

Elizabeth was queen whilst King George VI was alive because she took on some responsibilities.

King George VI was still alive and therefore still king. It is only after his death that she became queen.

Pupils may dress up as Elizabeth and pretend to be delivering a broadcast. What do they think Elizabeth said to express her devotion and how did she say it? Perhaps you could even listen to the real broadcast afterwards.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who was the King of England when Elizabeth was in Malta with her family?
Correct answer: Elizabeth's father, George VI
Elizabeth's uncle, Edward VIII
Elizabeth's husband, Prince Philip
Q2.
What is a radio?
Correct answer: a device that gives information that is listened to
a device that gives information that can be watched
a device that gives information which can be read
Q3.
What is an empire?
Correct answer: a collection of countries ruled by the rulers of another country
a collection of countries that used to be ruled by the rulers of another country
a collection of countries that had no rulers
Q4.
Where was Philip stationed after the Second World War?
France
England
Correct answer: Malta
Q5.
What is an heir to the throne?
Correct answer: a person who will be the next king or queen
a person who will not be the next king or queen
a person who crowns the king or queen
Q6.
Which of these existed after the Second World War?
radio
Correct answer: radio and TV
TV

6 Questions

Q1.
What happened in 1951 when King George VI fell ill?
Elizabeth became queen
Correct answer: Elizabeth and her family returned to England from Malta
Elizabeth went to Kenya
Q2.
Elizabeth began to help her father rule. Who helped her?
Charles
Anne
Correct answer: Philip
Q3.
Match the word to the meaning
Correct Answer:rule,when someone controls and tells others what to do

when someone controls and tells others what to do

Correct Answer:coronation,when the king or queen is given a crown at a grand ceremony

when the king or queen is given a crown at a grand ceremony

Correct Answer:broadcast ,a speech on the radio or television

a speech on the radio or television

Correct Answer:accession,when someone moves from being an heir to a king or queen

when someone moves from being an heir to a king or queen

Q4.
Which country was Elizabeth in when she found out that her father died?
Correct answer: Kenya
Zimbabwe
Australia
Q5.
When did Elizabeth make a radio broadcast pledging her devotion to her people?
the day of her coronation
the night after her coronation
Correct answer: the night before her coronation
Q6.
Where did Elizabeth request that her coronation be broadcasted?
Correct answer: radio and TV
TV
radio

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