Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Her passing last week has touched us all, no matter your stance towards the Royal Family. Indeed, whether a Royalist or not, there aren’t many who would suggest that she was anything other than a remarkable woman. As a small token of our thanks and by way of respect, today we turn our attentions away from the world of IT. Instead, we focus upon a human being who achieved much in the time she had with us.
- June 2nd, 1953: The Coronation
Around 27 million people watched the ceremony live on television. The first Coronation to be broadcast was also available to radio listeners, with some 11 million tuning in. A further 3 million people then lined the route back to Buckingham Palace.
- 1965: The first state visit to West GermanyNot since 1913 had a British royal visited the Federal Republic of Germany as it was then known. The Queen’s 10-day visit marked the 20-year anniversary of the end of World War II. It proved to be a powerful symbol demonstrating the reconciliation between the two countries.
- 1970: The Queen visits Australia and takes a “walkabout”At the behest of Sir William Heseltine, the Queen’s private secretary, royal tradition was abandoned. Rather than waving to the crowds, the Queen instead walked around to greet them – something that British royals now engage in regularly.
- 1977: The Silver JubileeThe Queen’s 25th year on the throne saw her repeating her pledge to devote her life to service: “Although that vow was made… when I was green in judgement, I do not regret nor retract one word of it.”
- 1981: The Queen attends the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady DianaOn July 29, Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Estimates suggest that up to 750 million people around the world watched the “wedding of the century.”
- 1986: A first with a visit to the Chinese mainlandThe Queen became the first British monarch to visit China, touring a number of iconic sites including the Great Wall in Beijing.
- 2002: The Golden Jubilee
Early into the 2000’s, the Queen celebrated her 50th year on the throne. In doing so, she became the first British monarch since Queen Victoria to celebrate a Golden Jubilee.
- 2011: State visit to the Republic of IrelandThe Queen also became the first reigning British monarch to make a state visit to the Republic of Ireland since the 1911 tour by her grandfather King George V.
- 2022: The Platinum JubileeEarlier this year, a series of celebrations began to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th year on the throne. Then, on June 2, a military parade took place featuring 1,400 troops, musicians and 240 horses. There was also a Royal Air Force fly-over and an 82-gun salute as the Queen watched on from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Rest In Peace, Ma’am.