Queen elizabeth ii biography thrones
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A consistent presence by his wife’s side and one of Britain’s busiest royals for much of her reign, Prince Philip stepped down from his royal duties in 2017, at the age of 96. Harry and Meghan announced they would be stepping back from senior royal duties in January 2020 and subsequently relocated to Los Angeles.
Rumors swirled at various times that Queen Elizabeth would step aside and let Prince Charles take the throne.
Personal Life: Married Life and Children
Queen Elizabeth II married her distant cousin, Prince Philip Mountbatten, on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey in London. It marked the last time full-length dress was worn by a member of the royal family who was not the bride for a wedding.
"The Queen lived a very long time and her life chronicles this period where British fashion really emerged," says de Guitaut.
"It was 1960, we've still got to get into the swinging 60s where the hemline is raised by [British fashion designer] Mary Quant, it was just such a moment in time," says Kwei.
Having favoured darker colours in her youth, it was around this time that the Queen's love of the colour blue - among the many other bright shades she wore - begins to become apparent.
"There's something about blue that's calming, it endears trust without being too in your face.
The couple complemented each other—Elizabeth’s reserved nature was balanced by Philip’s outgoing personality. Their partnership proved to be resilient, enduring challenges both publicly and privately, including intense media scrutiny and family issues. In 2017, she delegated some of her royal obligations, such as the official Remembrance Day ceremony, to him, fueling speculation that she was preparing to bequeath the throne to her eldest son.
That same year, the royal couple celebrated 70 years of marriage, making theirs the longest union in the history of the British monarchy. This swift transition led to considerable responsibilities as she navigated her new role amidst the evolving landscape of post-war Britain, representing continuity and stability during uncertain times.
It was really quite unnerving. Their marriage symbolized both love and duty, as Philip adapted to life as consort, supporting Elizabeth as she ascended to the throne. These assets showcased her unique status and influence, transcending mere symbolic representation.
Her coronation took place on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey, where she was formally crowned as Queen Elizabeth II.
This historic event was significant not only for its grandeur but also as the first coronation to be televised, allowing millions worldwide to witness the ceremony. In another modernizing measure, she also agreed to open the state rooms at Buckingham Palace to the public for an admission fee when she was not in residence.
Response to Lady Diana's Death
After Charles and Diana divorced in 1996, Diana remained incredibly popular with the British (and international) public.
As the granddaughter of King George V, Elizabeth's royal lineage connected her to a long line of monarchs, including Queen Victoria.
Queen Elizabeth II
In 1981, all eyes were on the royal family once again as Prince Charles wed Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. While much of her wealth was tied to the royal holdings, her private fortune included various valuable items such as rare artworks and historical artifacts.
Following the unexpected abdication of her uncle, King Edward VIII, in 1936, Elizabeth became the heir presumptive. Am I in a dream?
As the longest-serving monarch in British history, Elizabeth oversaw significant changes within the monarchy and the world during her 70-year reign. Though the couple soon welcomed two sons, William and Harry, their marriage quickly imploded, causing considerable public embarrassment for the queen and the entire royal family.
In 1992, Elizabeth’s 40th year on the throne and her family’s “Annus Horribilis” (according to a speech she gave that November) both Charles and Diana and Prince Andrew and his wife, Sarah Ferguson, separated, while Princess Anne and her husband, Mark Phillips, divorced.
A fire also broke out at Windsor Castle that same year, and amid public outcry over the use of government funds to restore the royal residence, Queen Elizabeth agreed to pay taxes on her private income.