Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, who ruled the country for the longest time of all British monarchs, died on September 8 at the age of 96.
Elizabeth II ascended the throne on February 6, 1952 at the age of twenty-five, after the death of her father, King George VI, becoming the head of the Commonwealth and the reigning queen of seven independent Commonwealth countries: Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka).
Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom,
the decolonisation of Africa, and the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. The number of her realms varied over time as territories gained independence and some realms became republics.
As queen, Elizabeth was served by more than 170 prime ministers across her realms. 15 prime ministers of Great Britain, starting with Winston Churchill (he resigned as Prime Minister in 1955), served her.
Her many historic visits and meetings included state visits to China in 1986, to Russia in 1994, and to the Republic of Ireland in 2011, and meetings with five popes.
Significant events included Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively.
Elizabeth II, who was as known the great-niece of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II, became the first British monarch to visit Russia. That four-day visit is considered to be one of the most important foreign trips of Queen’s reign.
The reign of Elizabeth II, which lasted 70 years, was truly significant.
She was born in one world and died in a completely different one, but she always was modern, causing universal admiration and respect.
On the eve of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, Elizabeth II addressed the nation:
“I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me. And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me.”