Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee

Queen Elizabeth II is renowned around the world for her dedication and devotion to the 15 nations she serves as sovereign. Her commitment to her role, her compassion for the people she meets and her professionalism in the work she does are all cornerstones of her character, writes Sean Palmer of Monarchy New Zealand.

Not only has Queen Elizabeth II caried out her role in an exemplary manner, she has done so for an extraordinary length of time. For more than 70 years, she has been a constant figure in the public life of New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the entire Commonwealth.

The Platinum Jubilee in 2022 is the ideal occasion to reflect on the seven decades of service Elizabeth II has provided to her peoples around the world. She has shone a spotlight on countless good causes and has recognised innumerable people who have worked to build a better world. She has praised all her countries in times of triumph and offered consolation to each in times of national tragedy. She has offered counsel to many governments and served as a non-partisan symbol of unity beyond the political fray. She is a voice for amity and for reconciliation, showing a deep respect for the past but also a committed concern for the future. The vast majority of people cannot remember a time before Elizabeth II was our Queen. Her presence has been a continuous thread linking several generations. She is rapidly approaching the record of being the longest-serving monarch in the history of the world. At this point she has already enjoyed the fourth-longest reign ever. Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein and King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand have both reached their Platinum Jubilees, but she will surpass their records early in May. At that point, only Louis XIV of France, who reigned for 72 years, will still exceed her. We hope that, in May of 2024, she will surpass him and become the longest-serving monarch ever.

While such records are not as important as the commitment she has shown to her role or the admiration of her peoples around the world, her unmatched endurance would make the reign of this extraordinary woman all the more remarkable.