Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Signed Royal Christmas Card.

The longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch, and the longest-serving female head of state in world history, Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne at the age of 25 on February 6, 1952, upon the death of her father, King George VI. She was proclaimed queen by her various privy and executive councils shortly afterwards. The coronation took place more than a year later on June 2, 1953 because of the tradition that holding such a festival is inappropriate during the period of mourning that follows the death of a monarch. Elizabeth met her future husband, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, in 1934 and 1937. They were married on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey and received 2,500 wedding gifts from around the world.