"God Save the Queen” - Elizabeth II- Queen of England

"God Save the Queen” is the chorus of the UK Anthem. It translates, more than a respectful greeting, into a veneration. A kind of cult. Not a properly religious cult or idolatry of the personality of this or that crowned ruler, but of the English monarchy as an institution.

Elizabeth II- Queen of England

Elizabeth II biography

Queen Elizabeth II (1926) has been the Queen of England since the age of 25. She was the longest-serving British monarch on the throne. On February 6, 2022, he completed 70 years of reign and celebrated the Platinum Jubilee. He died on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle, Scotland.

Childhood and youth

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926. She was the first child of Albert Frederick Arthur George and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (A Queen Mother).

When Elizabeth was born, the crown was in the possession of her grandfather George V, the first member of the Windsor dynasty to be crowned. Elizabeth was third in line to the crown, behind her uncle Edward and her father George. Elizabeth and her sister Margaret were educated at home by tutors.

In 1936, with the death of his grandfather, his uncle King Edward VIII ascends the throne, who abdicated before a year, to marry a divorced American, bringing to the throne King George VI, who assumed the throne on 11 December. December 1936.

At the age of 10, Elizabeth becomes first in line to the throne. From 1951, while the king was ill, Princess Elizabeth already represented him in various official engagements.

Marriage and coronation

On November 20, 1947, Elizabeth marries Philip Mountbatten, her distant cousin, son of Prince Andrew of Greece, whom she met when she was 13 years old. The wedding took place at Westminster Abbey.

After they were married, they moved to Clarence House in London. The couple had 4 children, Charles (1948), Anne (1950), Andrew (1960) and Edward (1964).

On February 6, 1952, with the untimely death of her father, Elizabeth II, aged 25, assumed the throne. She is crowned at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.

On this date the Queen was already the mother of Charles and Anne. After the coronation, the Royal Family took up residence at Buckingham Palace in central London. Prince Philip, who remained royal consort, became Duke of Edinburgh.

Children and grandchildren

Queen Elizabeth II was the monarch of the United Kingdom, formed by Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) and Northern Ireland, was the Head of State of the Commonwealth (Community of Nations), a group of countries that make up the British Empire. . After taking the throne for six months, the couple toured several countries in the Commonwealth of Nations.

In July 1958, Prince Charles, first on the succession list, is given the title of Prince of Wales. On November 14, 1973, Princess Anne marries Mark Anthony. In 1977 Peter Philips was born, his first grandson, son of Princess Anne.

On July 29, 1981, his son Charles marries Lady Diana, at St. Paul. Diana is given the title of Princess of Wales. On May 15, 1981, her granddaughter Zara Tindall, Princess Anne's second daughter, was born.

On June 21, 1982, his grandson, Prince William, was born, second in line to the succession, and on September 15, 1984, Henry was born, both sons of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

On July 23, 1986, their third child, Prince Andrew, marries Sarah Ferguson, and they are given the title of Duke and Duchess of York. In 1987, Anne receives the title of Princess Royal. On August 8, 1988, another granddaughter was born, Beatriz, daughter of Prince Andrew and Sara.

In 1990, Eugenie Victoria, the second daughter of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, was born. In 1992, Princess Anne divorced and on December 12 of the same year she married Timothy James. In 1997, Diana died in a car accident in Paris. On June 19, 1999, Edward, their fourth child, marries Sophie Rhys-Jones.

In 2003, Louise was born, and in 2007 James, children of Edward, the Earl of Wessex. Prince Charles marries Camilla on April 9, 2005. On April 29, 2011, Prince William and Catherine Middleton are married, and they are given the title of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

In 2013, Queen Elizabeth celebrated the birth of her great-grandson, son of William and Kate, officially named His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis, Duke of Cambridge, third in line. On May 2, 2015, Kate gave birth to a baby girl, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, Princess of Cambridge. On April 23, 2018, her third great-grandson, Louis Arthur Charles, was born.

Diamond Jubilee

On February 6, 2012, Queen Elizabeth celebrated the Diamond Jubilee – 60 years of her reign. As part of the festivities, a special BBC show was held, featuring the likes of Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones and Kylie Minogue. Three years later, on 9 September 2015, the Queen surpassed her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years.

Sapphire jubilee

On February 6, 2017, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 65 years of reign. The only British king to celebrate the Sapphire Jubilee. The date also marks the day of his father's death. The Queen spent the day at Sandringham House, her country estate north of London.

In London, there were royal greetings at Green Park and the Tower of London to mark the date. The Royal Mint has issued eight new commemorative coins in honor of the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee.

On April 9, 2021, her husband Philip Mountbatten, the Duke of Edinburgh, passed away. The couple lived together for 69 years.

Platinum jubilee

On February 6, 2022, aged 95, Queen Elizabeth II completed 70 years of reign and celebrated the Platinum Jubilee.

Several events were held to celebrate the date. The celebrations took place especially in the month of June, between the 2nd and 5th, with the presence of members of the Royal Family, among them, military parade, horse race, show with renowned stars, mass in thanksgiving and Air Force planes Aerial that flew over the sky of London.

On the 5th, the last day of the celebrations, with 96 years old completed on April 21st, the Queen appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, leaning on a cane, still suffering the consequences of Covid-19, accompanied by members of the Royal Family.

Death of Queen Elizabeth II

On September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II dies at age 96 at Balmoral Palace, Scotland, in a holiday residence.

On the date of her death, the statement made via social media from Buckingham Palace reads: "The Queen died peacefully this afternoon (8/9) at Balmoral Palace. The King and Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral and return to London tomorrow”.

By Matias

Book House Editor