<P> During 1951 , George VI 's health declined , and Elizabeth frequently stood in for him at public events . When she toured Canada and visited President Harry S. Truman in Washington , D.C. , in October 1951 , her private secretary , Martin Charteris , carried a draft accession declaration in case the King died while she was on tour . In early 1952 , Elizabeth and Philip set out for a tour of Australia and New Zealand by way of Kenya . On 6 February 1952 , they had just returned to their Kenyan home , Sagana Lodge , after a night spent at Treetops Hotel , when word arrived of the death of the King and consequently Elizabeth 's immediate accession to the throne . Philip broke the news to the new Queen . Martin Charteris asked her to choose a regnal name ; she chose to remain Elizabeth , `` of course '' . She was proclaimed queen throughout her realms and the royal party hastily returned to the United Kingdom . She and the Duke of Edinburgh moved into Buckingham Palace . </P>
<P> During 1951 , George VI 's health declined , and Elizabeth frequently stood in for him at public events . When she toured Canada and visited President Harry S. Truman in Washington , D.C. , in October 1951 , her private secretary , Martin Charteris , carried a draft accession declaration in case the King died while she was on tour . In early 1952 , Elizabeth and Philip set out for a tour of Australia and New Zealand by way of Kenya . On 6 February 1952 , they had just returned to their Kenyan home , Sagana Lodge , after a night spent at Treetops Hotel , when word arrived of the death of the King and consequently Elizabeth 's immediate accession to the throne . Philip broke the news to the new Queen . Martin Charteris asked her to choose a regnal name ; she chose to remain Elizabeth , `` of course '' . She was proclaimed queen throughout her realms and the royal party hastily returned to the United Kingdom . She and the Duke of Edinburgh moved into Buckingham Palace . </P>
when did the queen became the queen of the uk
when did the queen became the queen of the uk
6 February 1952
6 February 1952