Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-Year Reign

2022 marks a historical year in British history and its monarchy, as it is the year that Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 70 incredible years on the throne – making her first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. Known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service, she has been an important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of enormous social change. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated across the Commonwealth and beyond, culminating in a fourday UK bank holiday weekend in June. Home House of Home House Magazine reflects on highlights from the Queen’s 70 years of service.

1953: Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation

On June 2nd 1953, 27-year-old Elizabeth’s coronation ceremony was the first to be broadcast live on television. It was watched by 27 million people in the UK, with 11 million listening in via the radio.

1965: First State Visit To West Germany

The Queen visited the Federal Republic of Germany – the first official visit by a British royal since 1913. Her visit marked the 20year anniversary of the end of World War II, helping to symbolise the reconciliation between the two countries.

1970: First Walkabout

During a royal tour of Australia and New Zealand with Prince Philip and Princess Anne, the Queen bucked centuries of royal tradition when she took a stroll to greet crowds of people in person – rather than wave to them from a protected distance.

1977: Silver Jubilee

On June 7th 1977, The Queen and Prince Philip rode in the Gold State Coach from Buckingham Palace to St. Paul’s Cathedral to officially celebrate her 25th year on the throne.

1981: Charles and Diana Marry

On July 29th 1981, an estimated 750 million people around the world tuned in to watch Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The romance between the heir to the British throne and Diana (who quickly earned the adoration of the public) cemented the monarchy’s popularity. Diana gave birth to Prince William in 1982, providing the next in line to the throne.

1986: Visit to China

In 1986, the Queen became the first British monarch to visit the Chinese mainland. Preceding this in 1984 was Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s government agreeing to return sovereignty over Hong Kong to China beginning July 1st 1997.

1997: 50 Years of Marriage

The Queen and Prince Philip celebrated 50 years of marriage on November 20th 1997, celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary at a lunch at Banqueting House in London. The Queen made a speech in which she looked back on “a remarkable 50 years”, where she declared that Prince Philip had been “my strength and stay all these years”.

2002: Golden Jubilee

As the first British monarch since Queen Victoria to celebrate a Golden Jubilee, the Queen travelled more than 40,000 miles that year, including visits to the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, as well as visiting 70 cities and towns in the UK. The Queen’s celebration of her 50th year on the throne was sadly marred by a double loss when her sister, Princess Margaret, and their mother died within weeks of each other.

2011: Visit to Republic of Ireland

In May 2011, the Queen and Prince Philip visited the Republic of Ireland – the Queen’s first-ever visit there, and the first by a British monarch in 100 years. Her visit was considered to be the beginning of a new era of friendship.

2012: 60 Years on the Throne

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations underlined public support for the monarchy, which also benefited from the excitement surrounding the London Olympics.

2013: Birth of Prince George

On July 22nd 2013, The Queen welcomed a new great-grandson, Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, the first child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, who married in 2011. His birth marked the first time since Victoria’s reign that three generations of direct heirs to the British throne were alive at the same time. The Succession to the Crown Act was executed by the Queen in 2013, which amended the order of succession so it is now determined by order of birth rather than gender – meaning that Princess Charlotte is fourth in line to the throne, ahead of both Prince Harry and her younger brother, Prince Louis.

2015: Longest Reigning Monarch

On September 9th 2015, the Queen became Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, surpassing Queen Victoria.