When Elisabeth was born nobody knew she would be queen. Her grandfather, King George V, had six children. His eldest son, Edward, was the next in line to be king and Elisabeth’s father, Albert, was only second child. Edward loved a good time. He enjoyed women, drank a lot, spent money, liked fashionable clothes. Albert, or Bertie, as his friends called him, was rather shy, he stammered, and all his life it was difficult for him to make speeches. As he did not expect to become king, he chose the Navy. He married Lady Elisabeth Bowes-Lyon – she was the Queen Mother   – and they had two daughters, Elisabeth  and Margaret. The family lived in a house on Piccadilly. It was not a palace, but it was a nice place with twenty five bedrooms, a library and a room for dances and parties. The girls had a private teacher, they also studied music, dancing and art. As a child Elizabeth was nicknamed Lilibet – because that was the way she pronounced her name. She was a serious, tidy little girl, but her governess said that Lilibet and Margaret could fight on occasions. In 1936 King George died. When his coffin with the crown on top of it was carried through the streets on a horse-drawn carriage, the crown fell. Many people thought it was a bad sign. Indeed, 1936 became  “the year of three kings”. In January, after his father’s death, Edward became king. In December he refused from the throne and his younger brother, Bertie took his place. Many people think that this is one of the most romantic love stories of our century. Handsome and popular King Edward was in love with an American woman Wallis Simpson and he wanted to marry her. But Wallis was divorced – twice! The royal family did not like her, the government was against this marriage, so was the Church.