Queen Elizabeth was born in 1926 in the home of the Queen Mother's parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, in Mayfair. Today, however, that London property no longer exists as the site has become an award-winning Chinese restaurant.
According to reports, it's unclear exactly when the historical home was completely demolished. However, historians believe that structure incurred some destruction during the Second World War blitz.
But in 2010, a new structure stood in the property on No.17 Bruton Street that became a famous and Michelin-recognized Chinese restaurant named Hakkasan. The eatery then earned the distinction of being the "leading restaurant for Cantonese cuisine in London."
Hakkasan is best known for its food choices like its blue abalone in Hakka sauce, New Zealand mini lobster and the black truffle roast duck. It has also expanded in Middle East, India, China and East Asia while maintaining its prestigious Michelin rating.
Celebrities and famous personalities have been known to frequent the Chinese restaurant, including Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter, Princess Eugenie. On the building of the property is a plaque that recognizes that the street is where Queen Elizabeth was born.
At the time of her birth, no one had expectations that Queen Elizabeth, then regarded as simply Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, would be sitting on the British throne one day. Her father, Prince Albert, who would later become King George VI, was the second in line to the throne and she was the third.
Her uncle David was the heir to the throne and the Prince of Wales, who was primed to be the king after King George V, the queen's grandfather. However, the Prince of Wales abdicated his title after a year of service since he chose love over duty and married the American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. The couple didn't have any children.
It was ten years after Queen Elizabeth's birth when the British monarchy changed because of her uncle's decision. A few years later, her birthplace was ruined along with the other homes on Berkeley Square.
Meanwhile, as a mother herself, Queen Elizabeth had four home births for all of her children.
She had Prince Charles in 1948 via Caesarean section at Buckingham Palace when she was 22 years old. Then the queen gave birth to Princess Anne in 1950 at Clarence House since they made this their temporary home as Buckingham was under renovation. Ten years after Anne, Queen Elizabeth gave birth to Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward followed four years later. Both were born in Buckingham Palace as well.
