Topline
Celebrations have begun to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne, a span in which she has become synonymous with the monarchy and made history as the longest-reigning British monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II starts celebrations for her 70th anniversary on the throne with a reception for … [+]
Key Facts
Elizabeth, 95, became queen on February 6, 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI, who took the throne when her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry the American socialite Wallis Simpson in 1936.
Lows during her seven decades as queen came in the 1990s when the monarchy faced criticism over the queen’s wealth and the cost of maintaining the institution, as well as the 1997 death of Princess Diana, the former wife of Prince Charles, whereas recent highs include the 2011 royal wedding of Prince William, her grandson and an heir to the throne.
The royal family is grappling with a civil sex abuse lawsuit against Prince Andrew, the queen’s second eldest son, and accusations of racism raised by Prince Harry, one of the queen’s grandsons, and his spouse Meghan since they gave up their royal duties to relocate to California.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on the day of her coronation in June 1953.
The queen and the duke walk through the streets of Bermuda, Hamilton, in November 1955.
The queen in Nigeria during her Commonwealth Tour in February 1956.
The queen speaks with U.S. President John F. Kennedy while Jackie Kennedy chats with the duke at … [+]
The queen shakes British actor Peter O’Toole’s hand at the Lawrence of Arabia premiere in London in … [+]
The queen visits a market during a royal tour of Hong Kong in 1975.
The queen gives a speech during her visit to New Zealand in 1977.
The queen at a polo game with the Commander of the Household Cavalry Colonel William Gerard Leigh at … [+]
The queen rides a canoe in Tuvalu during her official tour of the South Pacific in 1982.
The queen addresses a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber in May 1991.
The queen with South African President Nelson Mandela during his state visit to Great Britain in … [+]
The queen receives a hockey puck from Markus Naslund, captain of the Vancouver Canucks, after she … [+]
The queen at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29, … [+]
Queen Elizabeth II attends her annual birthday parade with members of the royal family on June 13, … [+]
Queen Elizabeth II at the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Windsor Castle on April … [+]
Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers from a child attending a reception to celebrate the start of the … [+]
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisakim/2022/02/05/in-photos-queen-elizabeth-ii-through-the-years/