As the Queen celebrates her 80th birthday, The Northern Echo takes an affectionate look back at her life so far.

Committed to a royal 'job for life'

Rumours over the Queen deciding to abdicate have arisen throughout her reign.

Some believe as she grows older, she could step down to pave the way for the Prince of Wales. Others feel the crown should be handed straight to Prince William.

But throughout, the Queen has emphasised that this job is one for life.

On her 21st birthday, she made her now famous radio broadcast from Cape Town, in South Africa, in 1947, on her first official overseas visit, declaring: "My whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong."

On June 2, 1953, the Queen delivered her Coronation oath watched by millions of people, glued to their neighbours' new television sets. She later pledged on the evening of the historic occasion: "Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust."

In her 1991 Christmas message, she reiterated such feelings, saying: "I feel the same obligation to you that I felt in 1952. With your prayers, and your help, and with the love and support of my family, I shall try to serve you in the years to come."

She also dismissed any speculation in 1992.

Speaking about the death of her father, King George VI, for a BBC TV documentary, Elizabeth R, marking the 40th anniversary of her accession, she said: "In a way, I didn't have an apprenticeship. My father died much too young and so it was all very sudden ... taking on and making the best job you can."

But she said: "I think continuity is very important. It is a job for life."

Around the time of Charles's 50th birthday, one TV documentary suggested the Prince would be delighted if his mother stepped aside.

Unusually, Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace issued a statement, stressing that the assertion was "not only offensive but also completely wrong".

Important arrival was marked with a yawn

Although the Queen was not expected to ascend to the throne when she was born, her birth was still a major event in the country.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street in London's Mayfair, delivered by Caesarean section in the early hours.

She was the daughter of the Duke of York, who was to become King George VI on Edward VIII's abdication, and Elizabeth, Duchess of York, known in her later years as the Queen Mother.

At the time of her birth, she was third in line to the throne.

As was the tradition with royal deliveries, the Home Secretary, Sir William Joynson-Hicks, was summoned to the house where the Duchess lay - even though the 1926 General Strike was looming, and the dispute was taking up all his time.

But the suggestion that he had to be in attendance to ensure no substitute would be smuggled into the house in a warming pan is a myth.

Despite coming just as the country was being plunged into chaos, Elizabeth's birth attracted the attention of public and Press alike.

According to a report in Time Magazine in May 1926, the announcement in advance that a "certain form of treatment" (Caesarean) would be resorted to by physicians meant excitement and anxiety had been rife among the public.

After she was safely delivered, the Princess's first act, the article said, was to yawn at Sir William.

The Home Secretary then conveyed the news of the birth by special messenger to the Lord Mayor.

On the day of the Queen's birth, the Times carried a report which said: "The Press Association is officially informed that her Royal Highness the Duchess of York was safely delivered of a princess at 2.40 this morning.

"Both mother and daughter are doing well."

The news was also announced in the Court Circular, carried in the Times and the Telegraph, which said the King and Queen welcomed "with great pleasure" Elizabeth's birth and had been to visit their new granddaughter at Bruton Street.

But Time magazine said two other prestigious visitors, Queen Maud of Norway and Louise, Princess Royal, narrowly avoided a serious accident after their car collided with a taxi near Knightsbridge.

Crowds gathered in Bruton Street to cheer royal visitors and in the hope of catching a glimpse of the new princess.

Elizabeth was christened in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace in May 1926 by Cosmo Lang, the then Archbishop of York, with King George and Queen Mary, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Connaght, the Earl of Strathmore and Lady Elphinstone as her godparents.

Tale of two birthdays

The Queen has two birthdays - her actual one on April 21 and her official one, which is celebrated in June.

The curious decision to give monarchs two birthdays dates back to the late 19th Century during the time of Edward VII.

Edward VII's real birthday was on November 9, but he marked the occasion officially during his reign in May or June for practical reasons - the winter months were deemed unsuitable for parades and outdoor events.

Subsequent monarchs after Edward VII helpfully had birthdays at more convenient times of the year, but the Queen's father, King George VI, reintroduced the tradition.

He was born on December 14 and selected June as the month for his official birthday in the hope of enjoying the better weather.

At first it was always held on the second Thursday of that month, but in 1959, he changed it to the second Saturday for convenience.

The Queen has continued the tradition, also celebrating her official birthday in June each year.

The date is announced around March the previous year. This year, it is on June 17.

The Queen usually spends her actual birthday privately at Windsor, but her official birthday is always marked with Trooping the Colour.