The Queen's birthday: 10 defining moments of her life

The Queen is already the oldest monarch to have reigned in Britain – and today she turns 91.

Birthday celebrations tend to be kept private, with only a series of gun salutes in central London. Public celebrations are reserved for her "official" birthday in June (the two-birthday tradition came about due to the unreliability of the UK's weather).

As she celebrates another milestone, we take a look at ten defining moments in the Queen's life.

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1936: Father becomes king

Unable to reconcile his duty as king with his love for American divorcee Wallis Simpson, Edward VIII becomes the first English monarch to abdicate voluntarily.

Elizabeth's father acquires the crown, becoming George VI, and Princess Elizabeth is now heir to the throne.

1940: Radio broadcast

At the height of World War II, 14-year-old Elizabeth makes her first radio broadcast on BBC's Children's Hour, reassuring listeners that "in the end, all will be well".

She goes on to drive ambulances in the women-only Auxiliary Territorial Service towards the end of the war.

1944: First corgi

To mark her 18th birthday, Elizabeth is given a Welsh corgi, Susan, the first of around 30 she will go on to have. Only two remain, Holly and Willow.

So famous have her dogs become that they appeared in a sketch for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, escorting James Bond into Buckingham Palace.

1947: Marriage to Prince Philip

The royal family announces Elizabeth's engagement to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten on 9 July, in what is regarded as "a marriage of choice, not of arrangement", writes The Guardian.

They marry at Westminster Abbey on 20 November and the ceremony is broadcast around the world by the BBC.

1948: Prince Charles is born

The current heir to the throne is born at Buckingham Palace on the evening of 14 November.

He is joined two years later by his sister, Princess Anne, who is born at Clarence House.

1952: Her Majesty the Queen

George VI dies on 6 February, making Princess Elizabeth – at the age of 25 - the new Queen Elizabeth II.

Her coronation takes place a year later, after a period of mourning.

1957: Ancient powers

Following the resignation of Anthony Eden - a fallout linked to the unpopularity of the Anglo-French invasion of Suez - the Queen is called upon to exercise her royal prerogative power and choose a new prime minister.

She consults with senior Conservatives and appoints Harold Macmillan to the post.

1981: Assassination attempt

Marcus Sarjeant fires blank shots at the Queen at the annual Trooping of the Colour ceremony.

His fantasy assassination' lands him in prison for three years, writes the BBC.

1992: The "annus horribilis"

A fire destroys large parts of Windsor Castle and her children Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew all see their marriages break down, causing the Queen to label 1992 "an annus horribilis" ("horrible year," in Latin).

2012: Diamond Jubilee

Celebrating 60 years since her accession to the throne, the Queen marks her Diamond Jubilee by touring the UK. An extra bank holiday is declared on 5 June and street parties are held across the UK and the Commonwealth.