Learn about the Windsor family's turbulent history in this excerpt from In Their Own Words: Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth's uncle David, King Edward VIII, abdicates the throne in order the marry an American divorcée, Wallis Simpson. On May 12, 1937, Elizabeth’s father Albert is crowned King George VI, and ten-year old Elizabeth becomes heir to the throne. In the summer of 1939, 13-year old Elizabeth meets Philip of Greece, an 18-year-old naval cadet.