Seventy years of reign, a successful marriage, beautiful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Queen Elizabeth 2 exits the stage.
Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary became Queen regnant in February 1953 at 25 after the death of her father King George VI. Her father ascended the throne after his older brother – King Edward VIII abdicated in order to fulfill his desire of marrying Wallis Simpson, an American woman who was a two time divorcée. The Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and the Dominions rejected his proposed union the moment they knew about it, as it was unacceptable politically, and socially. It was, to them, unethical to make such a woman Queen-consort. Edward was adamant to give into the the desires of the Prime Ministers as he claimed love for Wallis, he abdicated the throne in favour of his union with Wallis. They remained married from 1937 till 1972 when he died.
Queen Elizabeth was “officially” enthroned in June 1953 at age 25 She had already been married to Prince Philip, a former prince of Greece and Denmark for over 5 years and had two children Prince Charles III and Anne, Princess royal. She was the longest lived and longest reigning British Monarch, the longest serving incumbent head of state and the second longest reigning monarch, Louis XIV of France was the first; he reigned from 1643 till 1715.
The Queen like any other public figure/national icon received world wide attention, and criticism on her rule/reign, family life. Major instances of public negative criticisms were:
Publication of photos which displayed her daughter-in-law Sarah in an extra marital affair.
The separation of Prince Andrew from his wife, Sarah, Duchess of York.
Her daughter Anne divorced her husband.
Semi-nude photos of Sarah Duchess of York were made public.
Publication of Princess Diana’s book: Diana: Her True Story, one which exposed the failing marriage between her son Prince Charles and Diana, as well as the extra marital affair between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, a divorcée.
Publication of a tape recording of intimate conversations via phone calls between Diana, Princess of Wales and James Gilbey.
A fire breakout in Windsor Castle.
To think all this happened in a single year is terrifying. 24 November 1992, marked her Ruby Jubilee on the throne, she said: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis.”
The Queen sailed through it all, only to have more fingers pointed at her when Princess Diana died in a car accident in 1997. Still, she thrived, with the support of her family and well wishers.
In 2005 Prince Charles wedded Camilla Bowles who had finalized her divorce with her ex husband, back then it was save to say the Queen, his mother, was not a big fan of the union as she did not show up for the nuptials, only attending the reception. Also it was widely known that if Charles III became ruling monarch of the United Kingdom, Camilla would be known as Princess-consort instead of Queen-consort. However, during the Queen’s celebration of her Platinum Jubilee, she made it known publicly that she would like if Camilla is pronounced Queen-consort should her son ascend the throne. The two women must have gotten past their differences and bonded over time.
There was some turbulence with the marriage of Prince Harry (her grandson) to Meghan Markle an American actress, who is a one time divorcée. It seems marrying divorced women is a trend for some men of the Royal family. In spite of all the little hitches along their way, the pair got married with massive support from their family in May 2018. Many commentators said it was similar to the case of Harry’s great grand uncle Edward VIII, as he, together with Meghan later on decided to let down all duties as Senior members of the Royal family, as well as become financially independent. The announcement of their decisions were made public in January 2020. A host of people insist these decisions were inspired by his wife Meghan Markle.
To some on lookers the year 2019 was a second annus horribilis in the Queen’s and the British royal family’s life. Her husband then 97, Prince Philip crashed his car into another carrying two women and a baby.
Prince Andrew was on heat from various journalists and investigations were being carried out concerning his relationship with convicted child-sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a couple of women rose up to testify against him, incititing that they had been assaulted by the Prince.
Queen Elizabeth was also involved in a constitutional crisis regarding the prime minister Boris Johnson requesting that parliament be prorogued (this advice was later ruled to be unlawful).
There were rifts between the Cambridge and Sussex households.
After such a tumultuous year, the Queen and the Royal family made it through to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee on February 6th 2022.
Queen Elizabeth II was present for the installation of the new British Prime Minister; Liz Truss on September 6th, two days before her death.
The Queen did suffer health issues, including mobility difficulties in her final months before passing on today 8th September 2022.
Charles III, at age 73 ascends the throne as heir presumptive to rule and reign the United Kingdom, with his wife Queen Camilla by his side. God save the King.
Image sources:
https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/queen-elizabeth-ii-advised-rest-next-two-weeks-due-health-concerns-confirms-buckingham-palace-929556?amp
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/g14981394/royal-family-portraits/