We continue our series on famous British historical figures with a profile of (who else) Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She was been a symbol of stability and strength for her country and Commonwealth during some of the most turbulent times in recent memory. Here, we take a look at key moments from her life, from her birth in 1926 to her recent sad 2022 death.

BIRTH & EARLY LIFE

Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, in London, England, to parents King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

She became heir to the throne when her father unexpectedly became king in 1936.

Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947 and they have four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward. As queen, Elizabeth has seen her share of joy and sorrow.

She was a steadying force during times of change and upheaval, and her long reign was marked by numerous accomplishments, including the expansion of the Commonwealth, the advancement of human rights, and the growth of the British economy.

THE QUEEN’S CORONATION

On June 2, 1953, 25-year-old Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey in London. Her coronation was a world-wide event, televised for the first time in history.

An estimated 27 million people in Britain watched the event on television, and millions more listened to it on the radio. An estimated $1.5 million was spent on the event, which featured over 8,000 participants, including representatives from over 50 countries.

For Elizabeth, the coronation was the culmination of a lifelong journey. She was born into a royal family with a long tradition of service to the British people. Her father, King George VI, ascended to the throne in 1936, and Elizabeth became heir presumptive. When King George died in 1952, Elizabeth became queen.

The coronation ceremony was a solemn and sacred event. Elizabeth swore an oath to uphold the laws of God and the Church of England.

She was then anointed with holy oil, crowned with the Imperial State Crown, and invested with the symbols of her office, including the Sword of State and the Rod of Equity and Mercy. The event was also a celebration of British history and culture.

Elizabeth rode in a horse-drawn carriage through the streets of London, accompanied by a procession of over 8,000 people. The route was lined with over a million spectators.

The coronation was a momentous event in Elizabeth’s life, and in the history of the British monarchy. It was a day of great pomp and ceremony, and a reminder of the important role that the monarchy plays in British society.

ROYAL DUTIES AND ENGAGEMENTS

As the monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II had a number of royal duties and engagements. One of her main duties was to represent the country at official and ceremonial occasions, both at home and abroad.

The Queen also had a number of important roles within the government. She is the supreme governor of the Church of England and she met regularly with the Prime Minister to discuss government business.

As Head of the Commonwealth she was also Head of State for many former British territories including Canada, Australia and many of the Caribbean islands.

In addition to her official duties, the Queen also carried out a number of charitable engagements. She was a patron of over 600 charities and she often attended fundraising events and visited projects supported by these organisations.

Although she has a busy schedule, the Queen still found time to spend with her family. She often attended family events, such as weddings and christenings, and she enjoys spending time at her private residences, such as Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House.

LATER YEARS AND RETIREMENT

In her later years, Queen Elizabeth II has continued to carry out her royal duties, although she has cut back on her international travel. In 2012, she became the first British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years on the throne.

In 2017, she became the longest-reigning British monarch, surpassing the previous record set by her great-grandmother Queen Victoria. As she has gotten older, the queen has delegated more duties to her children and grandchildren.

Prince Charles, her eldest son, is first in line to the throne and has taken on more responsibilities in recent years. In 2018, the queen announced that she would be stepping down as patron of 25 organizations due to her age.

In her retirement, the queen has also been spending more time at her homes in the countryside, where she enjoys spending time with her family and beloved dogs.

CONCLUSION

Queen Elizabeth II’s life has been one of service to her country and the Commonwealth. She has been a constant source of stability and strength during some of the most turbulent times in recent memory.

The Queen was a symbol of hope for many people around the world, and she will continue to be an important figurehead for Britain and the Commonwealth for years to come.