“I declare before you all that my whole life, long or short, will be devoted to serving you and the great empire to which we all belong.” This was Princess Elizabeth’s historic speech in 1947. This was his first address to the entire Commonwealth of Nations, timed to coincide with his 21st birthday. A few years later, he will ascend to the throne on February 6, 1952, and on June 2, 1953, his official coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey. This will be the first event to be broadcast live nationwide. It was then that the words about the beginning of the “Elizabeth era” would be heard for the first time.
But it ended today: Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth died at the age of 96. He became the only monarch in history to celebrate his platinum anniversary (70 years) on the throne. We remember the bright moments in the history of his reign.
1953
While vacationing in Kenya with her husband, Philip, in 1952, her duty summoned Elizabeth to the throne – her father died of lung cancer and she became Queen of Great Britain. However, his coronation will take place only on June 2, 1953, since before that it was impossible to keep him due to the mourning of his father. However, this allowed me to carefully prepare for the big event. To this day, all the streets on the 10-kilometer-long queen’s route have been decorated, and Elizabeth did not take off her crown for three weeks, relying on her royal attire. The outfit for her was designed by Norman Hartnell. Flowers and plants, the national emblems of Great Britain and Commonwealth countries, were embroidered by hand on the white satin dress. It took the workshop 6 months for English roses, Scottish thistle, Irish clover and Canadian maple leaf to appear at the hem.
Today, II. Elizabeth’s coronation was shown live on television for the first time. The prime minister objected to the media allowing access to the monastery, but the queen defended her desire by saying: “People have to see me to believe it.” By the way, the recording of the coronation was played in theaters for more than months.
1957
Queen Elizabeth never gave interviews, but she found a way out of this decision to communicate with her subjects—a Christmas address on live television that would become annual for years to come.
“I hope this new medium will make my Christmas message more direct and personal. I may seem like a rather distant figure to many of you. But now, at least for a few moments, I greet you in the silence of my home,” he said in his first television appearance on Christmas Day in 1957.
1965
Among the notable cultural moments of the Second Elizabethan era was the Beatles’ visit to Buckingham Palace on October 26, 1965. At the time, thousands of enthusiastic fans managed to pass by the police and climb the electricity poles as well as the palace gates to see the action.
Wearing a pale gold dress, she presented British pop culture icons with their medals of honor. “He was very friendly. She was like a mother,” McCartney said after the meeting. True, four years later, band member John Lennon would return his medal to protest Britain’s support of the US war in Vietnam and its involvement in the civil war in Nigeria.
1970
This year, Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth broke a centuries-old tradition: instead of waving from afar, she greeted people closely during her royal voyage to Australia and New Zealand. Dressed in a lemon yellow dress, her signature hat and purse, she walked the streets of Sydney, smiling and speaking to the audience.
Since then, “walking” has become common practice for many members of the royal family.
1981
One of the highlights of the Queen’s reign began with the wedding of her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles and Diana Spencer, on 29 July 1981. Millions of people flocked to central London that day to see the wedding procession. According to the BBC, more than 750 million people worldwide watched the celebration live. Although Diana was loved as a “people’s princess”, the couple’s marriage was troubled by mutual accusations of infidelity. They broke up in 1992, in a year that the Queen called “annus horribilis” (“the year of the catastrophe” – Approx. ed.). The reason for this was the separation of his son Andrew, the divorce of his daughter Anne and the fire at Windsor Castle. .
1997
In 1997, the world was shocked by the news of Princess Diana’s death. She died in a car accident in Paris. The moment shocked the world and brought the British royal family into the spotlight.
The Queen was criticized for her slow response. A few days later, he spoke to the nation live from Buckingham Palace and said: “Anyone who knew Diana will never forget her. Millions of people who have never met her but felt that they knew her will remember her.” “We’ve all tried to cope in different ways.”
2007
In 2007, the Queen celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Christmas broadcast by posting a speech on YouTube in a contemporary style.
“One of the characteristics of aging is an increased awareness of change. It is an opportunity to remember what happened 50 years ago, to appreciate the changes during this time and at the same time understand that it hasn’t changed. For example, a family,” says Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth in a speech.
2020
The 2018 wedding of Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle became a global event, raising questions about whether the politically active, self-proclaimed feminist could help modernize the British monarchy.
However, by 2020, Harry and Meghan announced that they were being followed by the media and stepping back from their royal duties. The Queen mediated their separation from the couple and issued a statement: “While we prefer that they remain full-time members of the royal family, we respect and understand their desire to lead a more independent life.”
2021
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had been married for 73 years when Buckingham Palace announced his death on April 9, 2021. At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, only close family members and friends attended his funeral. The Queen sat alone on a bench, wearing a black mask in accordance with national restrictions.
Elizabeth, whom Philip affectionately called Lilibet, referred to her as “his strength and support.” In her Christmas message that year, she recalled, “his mind is as bright and curious as the day we first met.” She then added: “But life, of course, consists of last breakups and first encounters.”
2022
He celebrated his platinum anniversary this year, becoming the first and only British monk to reach the age of 70 on the throne. The demonstration and celebration began with a military parade in London as 82 guns and 70 RAF aircraft exploded in the sky. The Queen stepped onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet the thousands of Englishmen who reflected on her long life and reign.
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Source: People Talk
Richard Stock is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a lifestyle expert who provides readers with the latest news and trends in the world of fashion, beauty, food, and travel. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for writing, Richard offers unique insights and perspectives on the topics he covers.
