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From Wondery, I'm Megan Begala, and this is Who's Amazing Life.
You've heard of people who changed the course of history, but before they made their mark on the world, they were people like you and me still figuring out what they wanted to do with their lives.
On this episode, you will be that person everyone knows.
You might be a musician, or an athlete, a scientist, or a painter.
You may know what the person accomplished later in life, but now you can experience everything they faced along the way, from challenges and heartbreak to triumphs and excitement.
All the moments that built this person into someone who would change the world.
There will be clues, so pay attention.
But only at the end will you find out who you are.
So sit back and imagine your amazing life as the princess.
Imagine you're seven years old, crouching behind a statue in the garden behind your house.
You glance to a bush on your left, where your little sister is hiding.
She catches your eye and stifles a giggle.
The two of you are playing hide and seek.
Your sister puts a finger to her lips.
Shh.
Don't let father see us!
Your dog gives you away!
She licks your face as your father peers around the statue.
Your sister shrieks.
Run!
Go!
Go!
Go!
You pop out from behind the statue and your sister runs out of the bushes.
You're matching frilly white dresses covered in dirt.
Your grandparents watch from a bench, and your grandpa has a big smile on his face.
You race over and give him a big hug.
My dear girls, you always cheer me up.
But your grandma frowns at you.
I don't like to see royal children playing.
They become so messy.
Your sister opens her mouth to make a retort.
She's never afraid to needle your parents or grandparents, but you quickly cover her mouth with your hand.
Sorry, Grandma.
We didn't mean to offend you.
You quickly brush the dirt off your dress.
That's right.
You are a part of a royal family.
Your grandpa is a king, and your grandma is a queen, and you are a princess.
You spend your days learning how to behave like a princess, including how to stand absolutely still.
That's why you love any chance you get to run around outside.
You grab your sister's hand to go back and play some more, but your parents shake their heads.
Your dad looks at you expectantly.
No more playtime.
You girls will take a bath while we grown-ups go get ready for tonight's ceremony.
Your heart flutters with excitement.
Can I go to the ceremony?
I'll be on excellent behavior.
Your sister scrunches up her face.
Why would we want to do that?
Boring!
You and your sister are different in that way.
You don't think it sounds boring at all, but your grandma scoffs.
Absolutely not.
It will be many years before you learn to be a lady.
You sigh.
The grown-ups go to fancy ceremonies all the time.
You love to imagine these fancy events full of exciting people.
You wish you could go.
You trudge into the house.
Your sister runs upstairs, excited to splash around in the bathtub, but you pause in the hallway.
You wipe the dirt off your shoes and carefully line them up against the wall.
As you walk up the staircase, you try to keep your chin poised the way your grandma teaches you.
Your parents might think you're too little for ceremonies, but you feel determined to prove that you're not a baby anymore.
You're going to do everything you can to earn their respect.
Every day you find ways to prove how responsible you can be.
You make sure your sister doesn't get into trouble.
You practice being tidy and polite.
A couple years later, your grandpa passes and your dad becomes king.
You're excited that you'll be moving into a palace at first, but the palace is so big.
There are almost 800 rooms.
It takes so long to walk from the kitchen to the dining room that your food gets cold by the time you eat it.
And your parents are so busy with their new duties that you barely get to see them.
How are you supposed to show them how responsible you are if they only see you at breakfast?
When a big war breaks out, you and your sister are moved to a castle in another town.
The castle is freezing and gloomy.
Sometimes you have to sleep in a basement shelter for safety.
It's a scary time.
A lot of kids have been sent far away to places where they can be safe and they don't see their parents at all.
You wish you could do something to help your country.
One day, you get a special opportunity.
You're asked to make a speech on the radio to comfort the children who are staying in other towns and countries, away from their families.
This is your first chance to prove that you can handle a serious royal responsibility.
You really want to make your family proud and say something meaningful for all of these kids.
But you're still a kid yourself.
Will you be able to stay strong even though you've been feeling sad and scared just like them?
You're 14.
You're sitting at a big desk in a cold room in the castle.
You feel grown up in a neat sweater and sharp blazer, even though your little sister is wearing the exact same outfit.
Your family makes you two dress alike.
You wish you could pick your own clothes, but you try not to complain.
Complaining just makes them think you're even more immature.
In front of you is a big microphone and the script for your speech.
You've spent hours practicing it, but that was only with a few people.
Now you have to deliver your speech on the radio for children all over the world.
Your sister must know that your heart is pounding because she holds your hand.
You're going to be just great.
You take a deep breath.
I hope so.
Your dad rushes into the room.
It's almost time.
You and your sister stand and curtsy to him.
Even though he's your dad, he's still the king.
At another desk, the people from the radio show set up their equipment.
We are live in one minute, your highnesses.
Everyone set?
Your dad paces in front of your desk.
Are you sure you can handle this?
Don't forget to breathe, of course.
And follow the script.
And, oh dear, I just hope you're more of a natural speaker than I am.
I can handle this, father.
Your dad struggles a lot with public speaking.
He's gotten better over time as king, but he's worried that you'll be a naturally nervous speaker, just like him.
He even said no to this radio broadcast in the first place, because he didn't want you to suffer the embarrassment and frustration that he's faced.
A whole team of advisors had to convince him to let you do it.
You appreciate your dad's concern, but his nervousness makes you feel nervous.
If your dad, the king, can struggle to give a speech, how could you be any better on your first try?
It's time.
Your dad sits in the back of the room next to your mom.
Hello, children everywhere.
This is one of the most important days in the history of our show.
Today, the young princess herself will speak to children at home and overseas in her very first speech.
Here she is, Her Royal Highness.
You gulp.
You hope you can comfort the kids listening.
You lean in toward the big microphone.
You speak slowly like you've practiced.
In wishing you all good evening, I feel that I am speaking to friends.
My sister and I feel so much for you, as we know what it means to be away from those we love.
This isn't so scary, you think.
As long as I speak slowly and focus on the children listening, I can do this.
You continue your speech.
Hearing your voice sound confident helps you feel confident.
By the time you reach the end, you can hear real strength in your voice.
And when peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.
Good night.
Your dad leaps to his feet, clapping his hands.
You did it!
You did the whole speech!
Incredible!
Even your sister, who is normally more sarcastic than sweet, is in awe.
I can't even think of a joke to say!
That was perfect!
You grin.
Not only did you get through the speech, but you feel like you're actually kind of good at this.
And you've earned your family's respect by showing them that you can handle an important royal duty.
You hope you've also earned the respect of your country and if so, that you'll be able to keep it.
The world is still talking about you and your speech.
Radio stations are flooded with requests to hear it again.
Pictures of you are on the front page of newspapers.
Your speech is even turned into a record so that people can buy it and listen to it whenever they want.
You're proud that you comforted so many people during a dark time.
You're inspired to see what else you can do to help your people.
You learn how to knit socks and gloves for the war effort.
When you're a little older, you beg your dad to let you join the army.
He says no.
You tell him you want to be like your cousins who are fighting for your country.
Even the government agrees that a princess joining the army could lift everyone's spirits, just like you did with your speech.
This helps convince your dad to let you join the Army as a mechanic.
You work hard to master driving and vehicles.
You can even take a car engine apart and put it back together.
After the war finally ends, you get married and you and your husband plan a big trip all around the world.
The two of you will spend six months visiting lots of places.
This trip is your opportunity to earn the respect of other leaders.
But not long after arriving in your first country on your agenda, you receive terrible news.
Your father has died unexpectedly, much younger than anyone expected, especially you.
His death means that you, at 25 years old, have just become Queen of the United Kingdom.
You cancel the rest of your trip and return home immediately.
You're distraught over the loss of your father.
At the same time, you don't feel ready to become queen.
You worked hard to earn the respect of your people as a princess.
The pressure is on to be stronger than ever as you step into the biggest role of your life.
You've just arrived at a huge church in a beautiful gold carriage.
It's raining, but that hasn't stopped thousands of people from gathering in the streets for a chance to see you.
Today is your coronation day, the day you're officially crowned queen.
You're wearing an elaborate white dress, including a long train carried by six maids of honor.
As you wait to enter the Abbey for your opening procession, you smile at all of the cameras.
Your coronation will be the first coronation in history to be broadcast on live TV.
Your advisors told you not to do this.
They think it's disrespectful to let the public watch such a sacred ceremony.
But you remember how much you wanted to see the fancy ceremonies when you were a little girl, so you overruled your advisors.
Now, everyone will be able to see this historic event.
Behind you, one of your maids of honor whispers, Ready, your majesty?
As you turn to answer her, you hear a man's voice in the crowd.
I can't believe she brought cameras into Westminster Abbey.
She's so disrespectful.
Your heart sinks.
Was it immature of you to let this serious event be on TV?
More than 8,000 guests are waiting inside to watch you walk down the aisle.
Many of them think that you're too young and inexperienced to lead the country.
You can't help but wonder, what if they're right?
Your Highness, is everything all right?
Of course.
I am only quieting my thoughts.
You step onto the long blue carpet.
Your maids lift your train and walk behind you into the church.
Each guest bows to you as you pass.
Even though your heart is pounding under the weight of your heavy clothing, you keep your chin poised.
When you arrive at the altar, you see your sister on the balcony.
You wish she were by your side, just like she's always been.
But this is something you have to do alone.
Suddenly, you feel comforted by the cameras.
Maybe you're not doing this alone.
You remember the radio speech you gave during the war.
You comforted lots of children, but you also felt comforted by them.
Now, these same children have grown up just like you, and they're watching you on TV.
It feels right to share this joyful day with them, just as you shared the hard times together.
The church goes silent as you place your hand on a Bible for the coronation oath.
You face the thousands of people in the church and the millions more watching at home.
You keep your voice steady.
Throughout all my life and with all my heart, I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.
The archbishop carefully places a gold crown on your head.
It's hundreds of years old and it's really heavy, but you feel proud and ready to wear it.
Your cheeks flush with emotion as the crowd keeps chanting.
Your grandpa and your dad wore this crown when they became kings.
You miss them so much, but you can feel them here with you now.
You vow to be a leader that they would be proud of.
You know there will be challenges.
But now that you've been crowned queen in front of the whole world, you're confident that you have the strength to keep earning the respect of your people for many years to come.
After you become queen, you travel extensively to connect with people living under your leadership.
You eventually visit over 100 countries, which makes you the most well-traveled monarch in history.
Some people even call you the Million Mile Queen.
You help modernize the British monarchy by embracing new forms of communication.
Something that starts with your radio address at age 14 and continues at your 1953 coronation, broadcast all around the world.
Your coronation is watched live by 20 million people.
Later, you invent the Royal Walkabout when you step out of your official car to shake hands with people who have gathered to see you.
Before this, kings and queens kept their distance from ordinary people, but you changed the way that royals interact with the public.
Over the course of your reign, you are a symbol of comfort and stability known all around the world.
You are widely respected for your kindness, your grounded attitude and your logical approach to tough issues.
You remain the Queen of England for over 70 years, the longest reigning British monarch of all time.
You are Queen Elizabeth II.
From Wondery, this is Who's Amazing Life.
This episode contains reenactments and dramatized details.
While we can't know exactly what was said, we use many sources when researching our stories.
Some that were particularly helpful include Young Elizabeth The Making of the Queen by Kate Williams, Elizabeth and Margaret.
The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters by Andrew Morton and the BBC.
I'm your host, Megan Pegala.
This episode was written by Lily Gardner.
Sound design by Marcus Begala.
Additional audio assistance is by Sergio Enriquez.
Desi Blalock is our managing producer.
Our senior producers are Megan Begala, Ginny Bloom, and Jennifer Klein-Walker.
Executive producers are Marshall Louis and Erin O'Flaherty for Wondery.
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