Elizabeth II's reign comes to a close
I can describe what happened when Elizabeth II's reign came to an end.
Elizabeth II's reign comes to a close
I can describe what happened when Elizabeth II's reign came to an end.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- On 8 September 2022, Elizabeth II died peacefully at her favourite home, Balmoral Castle, in Scotland.
- She was 96 and had reigned over 70 years; she is the longest reigning monarch that the United Kingdom has ever had.
- People queued for hours to see her coffin as it lay in state in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament.
- Elizabeth was given a state funeral so that the whole nation could show their respects.
- When she died, Elizabeth's eldest son, Charles, the Prince of Wales, became King Charles III.
Keywords
Reign - a reign is the amount of time that someone is a ruler
Monarch - monarch is the king or queen who is the ruler
State funeral - a state funeral is a special event where someone very important is remembered by the public after they die
Respect - respect is when you look up to and admire someone
Common misconception
Pupils may think that Princess Anne would be queen after Elizabeth.
Remind pupils that it is the eldest child who inherits the throne and therefore Charles, Prince of Wales, became King of England.
To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: Elizabeth II's reign comes to a close, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: Elizabeth II's reign comes to a close, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 history lessons from the Elizabeth II: what was her life like? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions




Exit quiz
6 Questions
the amount of time that someone is a ruler
the king or queen who is the ruler
a special event where someone very important is remembered