The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral, surrounded by her family. Her Majesty was the UK’s longest-serving monarch, having reigned for 70 years. During her time on the throne, she witnessed tremendous change and presided over a period of unprecedented prosperity and progress. The Queen was a much-loved and respected figurehead, who will be greatly missed by her subjects.
The death of Queen Elizabeth II has left the nation in mourning. In accordance with royal protocol, a 10-day period of mourning has been declared. During this time, all flags will be flown at half-mast and public events will be cancelled. The queen’s body will lie in state at Westminster Hall, where members of the public will be able to pay their respects. A state funeral will be held on the fourth day of mourning, after which the queen will be buried in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. This schedule of events provides a opportunity for the nation to come together and mourn the loss of their much-loved monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II was the epitome of the British monarchy. She ascended the throne in 1952 at the age of 25 and ruled for more than 50 years. During her reign, she oversaw enormous changes in British society and was a respected figure on the world stage. Elizabeth was known for her sense of duty and her dedication to the crown. She was also a gifted communicator, able to connect with people from all walks of life. Even in her later years, she continued to carry out her duties with grace and dignity. Elizabeth will be remembered as one of the greatest monarchs in British history.
Liz Truss became the UK’s Prime Minister on Tuesday, and in her first speech she praised the Queen for her role in building modern Britain. Truss said that the monarch was a “rock” who had provided stability and strength during times of trouble. She also praised the Queen for her dedication to duty, saying that she was an example to everyone in Britain. Truss said that she was honoured to serve as Prime Minister, and vowed to continue the work of previous governments in building a strong and prosperous Britain.
On April 9, 2021, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 95. With her death, Prince William and his wife Catherine became the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall. While the couple has only held these titles for a short time, they are already making an impact in their new roles. In addition to supporting charitable causes, the Duke and Duchess are also taking steps to modernize the monarchy.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on April 21, 1926, in London, England. She was the first child of Albert, Duke of York, and his wife, Elizabeth. Her grandfather, George V, was the King of the United Kingdom, and her father was heir to the throne. As a result of her status as a member of the royal family, she was accorded the title of Princess Elizabeth at birth. In 1930, her father ascended the throne following the death of George V, and she became heir presumptive. In 1936, her grandfather’s abdication resulted in her father becoming King Edward VIII. However, he abdicated less than a year later in order to marry Wallis Simpson. This made Elizabeth’s uncle, Bertie, the new King George VI. As a result of her uncle’s ascension to the throne, Elizabeth became heir apparent and was given the title of Princess Royal. She remained Heir Apparent until 1952 when she acceded to the throne following the death of George VI. Since then, she has been Queen of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth.
At the time of Edward’s abdication, his younger brother Albert was next in line for the throne. However, Albert died just a few years later, in 1941. This meant that Edward’s daughter, Elizabeth, became the next monarch-in-waiting. Few could have foreseen at the time that Elizabeth would one day become queen, but her uncle’s abdication created a clear path for her ascension to the throne. Elizabeth was just 25 years old when she became queen in 1952. She has now been on the throne for more than 67 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. In that time, she has seen the country through some of its most turbulent times, including two World Wars and the economic downturn of the 1970s. She has also seen Britain change dramatically, from a colonial power to a republic. Throughout all of these changes, Elizabeth has remained a stabilizing force for the country, and her long reign is testimony to her strength and resilience.
Prior to his accession to the throne, King George V and Queen Mary had five children: Prince Edward (who would later abdicate as King Edward VIII), Prince Albert (who would later reign as King George VI), Princess Mary, Princess Alexandra, and Prince Henry. Elizabeth’s mother, though not of royal blood, was a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria. As a result of these royal connections, Elizabeth grew up in a House of Windsor that was steadily gaining prominence within the British monarchy. In 1936, when she was ten years old, her grandfather King George V died and her father became King George VI. Elizabeth thus became heir to the throne, second in line behind her cousin (and future husband) Prince Philip. The following year, 1937, saw the coronation of her parents, an event which cemented the young princess’s place within the British Royal Family. Despite being thrust into the public eye at such a young age, Elizabeth took on her new duties with grace and composure, endearing her to the British people. In the years that followed, she would continued to win their affections through her hard work, sense of duty, and unassuming nature. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that Elizabeth II is one of the most popular monarchs in British history.
It was only a matter of time before Britain was pulled into the conflict. Within three years of Nazi Germany’s rise to power, Britain was at war. Elizabeth and her younger sister, Princess Margaret, spent much of wartime at Windsor Castle after their parents rejected suggestions they be evacuated to Canada. It was during this time that Elizabeth developed a lifelong love of horses and horseback riding. She also became an excellent student, despite the disruptions of war. In 1945, Elizabeth’s father died, and she became first in line to the throne. The following year, she turned 18 and took on more official duties, including a tour of South Africa. As the heir presumptive, Elizabeth was required to maintain a high degree of public visibility, but she continued to live a largely sheltered life, shielded from the harsh realities of war.
Elizabeth turned 18 in May 1941, shortly after the British government began conscripting women into the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). She was sent to an engineering school in Hampshire, where she learned basic motor mechanic and driving skills. The experience was eye-opening for Elizabeth, who came from a privileged background. “I began to understand the esprit de corps that flourishes in the face of adversity,” she recalled later. The camaraderie among her fellow ATS members was one of the things that she cherished most about her time in the service. After five months, Elizabeth’s training was complete and she was posted to a driverPool company in Essex. She drove a variety of vehicles, including ambulances and trucks, and delivered supplies to military units all over Britain. The work was demanding but Elizabeth enjoyed the sense of purpose it gave her. In later years, she would often look back on her time in the ATS with fondness and pride.
When Princess Elizabeth of Greece and Denmark was just 18 years old, she met her third cousin, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, while he was serving in the Royal Navy. The two soon began exchanging letters and their romance blossomed. On November 20, 1947, the couple married at Westminster Abbey, with the prince taking the title of Duke of Edinburgh. Through their 64 years of marriage, the couple had four children – Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward – and eight grandchildren. In 1972, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II when her husband’s uncle abdicated the throne. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip enjoyed a long and happy marriage until his death in 2021. They were truly a royal love story for the ages.
Queen Elizabeth II has been reigning for over sixty years, and in that time she has seen significant social changes. When she came to the throne in 1952, Britain was still very much a deferential society, where people showed respect for authority figures and followed strict social rules. However, over the course of her reign, Britain has become a more egalitarian society, and Elizabeth has had to adapt her role accordingly. In recent years, she has made a point of engaging with the public through walkabouts, royal visits and attendance at public events. This has helped to create a more personal connection between the monarchy and the people, and ensured that the monarchy remains relevant in a less deferential age.
Buckingham Palace has announced that a state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II will take place in the next two weeks. The funeral will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral and will be attended by the royal family, representatives of the government, and other dignitaries. The funeral will be a traditional ceremonies, with military honours and a procession through the streets of London. The death of the Queen marks the end of an era, and her funeral will be a fitting tribute to her 60 years on the throne.
On October 18, 2019, Canadians were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of their much-loved head of state, Queen Elizabeth II. For Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, the Queen was a constant in Canadians’ lives and one of his “favourite people in the world”. Trudeau first met the Queen in 1972, when he was just six years old, and he later had the opportunity to serve as her personal aide-de-camp during a Royal Tour in 1977. In a statement released after the Queen’s death, Trudeau spoke of her “unfailing kindness, openness, and humanity”, which had endeared her to so many. He also praised her “extraordinary” service to Canada and the Commonwealth, noting that she would be deeply missed. The death of the Queen is certain to have a profound impact on Canadians, but Trudeau’s own personal memories of her will no doubt be among the most cherished.
