Princess Elizabeth turns 10

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 April 21, 1936

Princess Elizabeth, second in line to the British throne, turned 10 years old today. She celebrated her birthday at her parents' home, Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park. Queen Mary also "participated in the celebration."

In "honor of the occasion," the princess and her younger sister, Princess Margaret Rose, "were allowed to have breakfast with their parents and the Queen," according to the New York Times. The princess also went for a ride on her favorite pony, Peggy, and with her father, the Duke of York, "rode in a streamlined electric motor car," which was a present from, her parents. She also tried out a new bicycle, a present from her grandmother, Queen Mary.

It took about twenty minutes for Princess Elizabeth to find the gift from her uncle, King Edward VIII, which turned out to be a "gold-mounted riding crop, bearing her crest and initials." The King also telephoned his congratulations from London.

This afternoon, Princess Elizabeth was hostess at a birthday party. She didn't have to spend the day at her studies, "to which she ordinarily devotes more than six hours daily." She was also permitted to "stay up later than usual for games that her mother had arranged."