Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born in London on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, the house of her maternal grandfather. She is the eldest daughter of Prince Albert, Duke of York (George VI) and Elizabeth, Duchess of Windsor (Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother) and at birth the third in-line to the throne. From a young age she was known to her family as "Lilibet". She was favoured by her grandfather, George V. She was very close to her "grandfather England". Her sister Princess Margaret was born four years later and the two were inseparable.
She was educated privately under the care of her mother and governess Marion Crawford. Her lessons focused on history, language, literature and music. Many relatives and peers referred to her as sensible and well-behaved compared to Princess Margaret.
When her grandfather died, Princess Elizabeth's father became heir presumptive to the throne. Elizabeth wasn't expected to become Queen but when Edward VIII abdicated, her father became King George VI and Elizabeth became heiress presumptive. Elizabeth became fluent in French and received private tuition in constitutional history from Henry Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton College. She socialized through the 1st Buckingham Palace Girl Guides Company and later enrolled as a sea ranger. When her parents toured Canada and the U.S., Elizabeth stayed in Britain and wrote to her parents often. She made her first transatlantic call with them on May 18th of that year.
When war was declared in September 1939, London was devastated by bombing from the German Luftwaffe. As children living in major cities were evacuated to the country, so to were Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. There were plans for the Princesses to go to Canada but Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) would not allow it. Until Christmas 1939 they stayed at Balmoral Castle, them they went to Sandringham House, Norfolk. They stayed at Royal Lodge , Windsor, uniti; moving to Windsor Castle. They staged pantomimes in aid of the Queen's Wool Fund. In 1940 the 14 year old Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast during the BBC's Children's Hour, addressing other children evacuated from major cities across the country.
She assumed official duties at 16 and begun solo public appearances. Her first solo appearance was a visit to the Grenadier Guards of which she was appointed Colonel-in-Chief the previous year. During World War II she served in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service as an honourary Second Subaltern, service number 230873. By an amendment to the Regency Act she became a Counsellor of State on her 18th birthday. The first time she acted in such a capacity was when her father visited Italy in July 1944. She trained as a driver and mechanic and was promoted to honourary Junior Commander five months after joining the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service. On V.E Day she appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and with Princess Margaret, she went anonymously in the streets to celebrate.
She made her first foreign tour in 1947 accompanied by her parents and sister. During the tour, on her 21st birthday, she broadcasted the following pledge to the British Commonwealth:
"I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong."
In 1934 and 1937, Elizabeth met her future husband, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. They are second cousins once removed through King Christian IX of Denmark and third cousins through Queen Victoria. They met again on a tour of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in July 1939. She instantly fell in love with him and they announced their engagement on the 9th July 1947. Philip was foreign born, had no financial standings and had sisters married to German noblemen with NAZI connections. It is believed that Elizabeth's mother didn't approve of the marriage, but it was still given approval. Philip renounced his claims to the Danish and Greek thrones and converted to Anglicanism. Philip was then styled Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten. before the wedding he was created HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
They married on the 20th November 1947 at Westminster Abbey. They received 2500 gifts and saved ration coupons to buy material for her gown, designed by Norman Hartnell. The Duke of Windsor and the Duke of Edinburgh's German relations were not allowed to come.
On the 14th November 1948, Prince Charles was born and letters patent allowed Elizabeth's children to use the style HRH and rank of royal prince or princess. Princess Anne was born two years later in 1950.
The couple lived at Windlesham Moor near, Windsor Castle until the 4th July 1949 and then lived at Clarence House in London. Between 1949 and 1951, Philip was stationed in Malta and the couple lived in the hamlet of Gwardamanga, at Villa Guardamangia, the rented home of Lord Mountbatten. Charles and Anne remained in Britain.
On the death of George VI in 1952 she succeeded to the throne after spending a night at the Tree Tops Hotel. Philip told his wife of her fathers death at their Kenyan home, Sagana Lodge. The Queen quickly returned to Britain and she was proclaimed Queen throughout her realms. Letters patent kept the Royal House Windsor, and didn't let it change to the "House of Mountbatten". But all male descendants that didn't bare the royal titles would have the last name "Mountbatten-Windsor". Leading up to the coronation, Princess Margaret wanted to marry Peter Townsend, a divorcee 16 years her senior with two sons. The Queen told her sister to wait a year but Margaret abandoned her plans of marriage and eventually married Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Despite Queen Mary's death on the 24th March 1953, the coronation went ahead as normal and took place at Westminster Abbey on the 2nd June 1953. All of it was televised except the anointing and communion. Norman Hartnell designed the dress which included floral emblems from Commonwealth countries.
From the start of her reign, The Queen witnessed the destruction of the British Empire and the growth of the Commonwealth of Nations. Spanning from 1953-1954, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh embarked on a six month tour around the world. She was the first reigning monarch to visit Australia and New Zealand. Three quarters of Australia saw her during her visit. The amount of travel she has done over the years has led to her being the most widely traveled head of state.
When Sir Anthony Eden resigned on the 10th January 1957, the Queen had to choose whom was to be the Prime Minister as there was no formal regulation for the Conservative Party to choose a new leader. Consulting the British Cabinet, Lord Salisbury, the Lord President of the Council, Lord Kilmuir, Winston Churchill and Chairman of the Backbench 1922 Committee, the Queen appointed Harold Macmillan as Prime Minister. This angered many people as the Queen chose the PM and not the party or the people. When Macmillan resigned in 1963, he advised the Earl of Home to be appointed PM and the Queen came under the same scrutiny. The Conservative Party put a formal mechanism in place in 1965.
In 1957 she visited the United States and addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Nations. She also went to Canada and opened the 23rd Canadian Parliament, becoming the first monarch to open a parliamentary session in Canada. Two years later she revisited the U.S. and Canada and when landing at St.John's, Newfoundland, she learnt that she was pregnant with her third child. The Queen showed her strength during the 1960's when she visited Ghana and dismissed safety risks, and again in 1964 when she visited Quebec after hearing a group was plotting her assassination. Yet she was not harmed by the Quebec separatist movement and the riots ended in Montreal.
The Queen attended every State Opening of Parliament except in 1959 and 1963 when she was pregnant with Princes Andrew and Edward. She gave birth to Andrew in early 1960 and birth to Edward in early 1964.
The 1960's and 1970's saw the decolonization of Africa and the Caribbean. To combat this she instituted new practices and one was walking about and meeting ordinary members of the public. The first time she did this was in 1970 during a tour of New Zealand and Australia. Over 20 countries were granted independence from Britain. Rhodesia declared unilateral independence from Britain while still expressing loyalty to Elizabeth. The Queen dismissed the PM of Rhodesia in a formal declaration and other countries placed sanctions on Rhodesia.
In February 1974, PM Edward Heath advised the Queen to call a general election during her tour of the Austronesian Pacific Rim, requiring her to fly back to London. The election resulted in a hung parliament. Heath resigned and Harold Wilson and the Labour party were asked to form a government. The 1975 Australian Constitutional Crisis also fueled republicanism in Australia when Gordon Scholes, Speaker of the House of Representatives, appealed to the Queen to reverse Kerr's decision. She declined and stated she would not interfere in the Governor-General's constitutional powers.
In 1977, the Queen marked her Silver Jubilee. The Silver Jubilee was marked by tours of the Commonwealth, parties throughout the Commonwealth and re-affirmation of the Queen's popularity with the public. In 1978 the Queen welcomed a state visit by Romania's communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu, and his wife, Elena. The Queen privately frowned the couples actions. In 1979, the former surveyor of the Queen's Pictures, Anthony Blunt, was a communist spy, and the assassination of her relative Lord Mountbatten by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. The Queen was also worried about republicanism in Canada, but even though all links to the British Parliament were removed from the Canadian Constitution, the Queen was kept as the Head of State.
During the 1981 Trooping the Colour ceremony, six shots were fired at the Queen from a close range as she rode down The Mall of her horse. The assailant, Marcus Sarjeant, was sentenced to five years prison but was released after three. The Queen's composure was praised by many during this event. Six weeks after the assassination attempt, Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul's Cathedral.
From April to September 1982 was an anxious time for the Queen as Prince Andrew, her son, fought in the Falklands War, however she was proud of his efforts. He returned home safe. On the 9th July 1982, the Queen awoke to an intruder sitting at the foot of her bed. Michael Fagan was removed by police 7 minutes after a distress call was sounded. After the U.S State visit to the United Kingdom, and the Queen's state visit to the U.S., the Queen was angered over the American invasion of Grenada, her realm in the Caribbean, without informing her.
In the 1980's, the Queen's feuding with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher came to light. Firstly, The Sunday Times of 20 July 1986 reported that the Queen was worried that PM's economic policies fostered social divisions, that there was instability within the nation's working classes, and a refusal of sanctions against apartheid South Africa. The source of this information was Michael Shea, Press Secretary to the Queen, and Commonwealth Secretary-General Shridath Ramphal. After Thatcher resigned from office, she was awarded the Order of Merit, Order of the Garter, and later made a life peer (Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven). However many claim the Queen was instrumental in the end of South African apartheid.
From 1987, republicanism was a high profile agenda, with many realms debating if they should retain the monarchy. With the defeat of the Meech Lake Accord, Quebec and Canada began to debate republicanism. This followed with the deposition of the elected Fijian government in a military coup. The Governor-General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau was overthrown, and Fiji was declared a republic. This republicanism feeling reached Britain in 1991 with the Queen's finances estimated, and the idea of her paying Income Tax was debated, as the biggest landowner in Britain.
In 1991, in the wake of victory in the Gulf War, the Queen addressed a joint session of the U.S Congress, becoming the first British Monarch to do so. 1992 was not such a good year. On the 24th November 1992, on her 40th Jubilee at Guildhall, she referred to 1992 as her 'annus horribilis', meaning 'horrible year'. In March, second son Andrew separated from his wife Sarah, while in April, her daughter Anne divorced Captain Mark Phillips. During a state visit in October, eggs were thrown at the Queen in Dresden. Yet, it was in November, when Windsor Castle suffered severe fire damage, that caused much personal pain. The Queen again received criticism as she it was expected the public pay for the reconstruction. However, reforms made the Queen pay income tax, reduce the civil list. The Royal Residences were opened with the Queen getting 10% of the profit, with it going to the Windsor Castle repair bill. In December, Charles separated from Diana. The year ended with the Queen suing The Sun newspaper for breach of copyright when it published the script of her Christmas message two days before broadcast. The newspaper payed her legal fees and donated £200,000 to charity.
Prince Charles and Diana finally divorced in 1996, after consultation with Prince Philip, Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, Private Secretary Robert Fellowes, and PM John Major. A year later, on the 31 August 1997, Diana died in a car crash in Paris. The Queen, was at Balmoral on holiday, with Prince Phillip, Prince Charles, and the young Princes William and Harry. The Royal Family were criticised for showing little sympathy as they didn't come down to London immediately, didn't mention Diana in their church service, and didn't fly the flag at half mast over Buckingham Palace. However, this public hostility disappeared when the Queen made to the public on the 5th September, the eve of Diana's funeral. She showed reverence and admiration for Diana and the public quickly forgave the Queen.
2002 saw the Golden Jubilee of the Queen's reign. After 50 years, her Kingdom has shrunk, and the British Empire turned into the Commonwealth. However, it was an achievement that hadn't been seen since the reign of Queen Victoria. It was believed by many that it wouldn't be a success as both Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, had died in February and March. The Queen was the clear matriarch of the Windsor family. A tour of the realms took place and there were three days worth of events in the United Kingdom.
In 2003, the Queen has keyhole surgery on both knees and in 2006, had problems with her back muscles which stopped her from opening the new Emirates Stadium. In May 2007, The Daily Telegraph claimed that the Queen disliked many of Tony Blair's policies and was worried about the overstretched army in Iraq and Afghanistan, and rural issues. However, it is believed that she admired Blair's peace keeping in Northern Ireland. In 2008, she attended her first Maundy service outside of England and Wales, at Church of Ireland St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.
In 2010, she addresses the United Nations General Assembly for the second time, being introduced by Ban Ki Moon as the "anchor for our age". She spoke in her capacity as Queen of all her Realms, and Head of the Commonwealth. She also opened a memorial garden for all the British victims of the September 11 attacks in New York.
From May 17th-20th 2011, the Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, made a state visit to the Republic of Ireland. This was the first visit of a British Monarch since Ireland became a republic. It was the largest security operation in Irish history and involved the Queen visiting Irish nationalist sites such as the Garden of Remembrance and Croke Park, a scene from the 1920 Bloody Sunday massacre. At a state dinner at Dublin Castle, she spoke in Irish saying: "A Uachtaráin, agus a chairde" she said — "President and friends". This astonished many guests and even caused President Mary McAleese to say "wow" three times. The speech amazed many guests with its tolerance and sorrow.
The Queen also made a visit to Australia in October 2011, her 16th visit to her pacific realm. Many newspapers called it "the farewell tour" due to her declining public commitments and age. During this tour, Australian Republicanism was at it's lowest.
In 2012, the Queen reached her Diamond Jubilee, with celebrations occurring throughout Britain and throughout her realms and the Commonwealth. Whilst the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh toured the United Kingdom, other royals toured various parts of the Commonwealth. On June 4th, 2000 beacons were lit around the world to celebrate her reign, with a concert occurring around the Victorian memorial. However, Prince Philip was admitted to hospital with a bladder infection. The crowd called his name during a speech given by Prince Charles, in which he called the Queen; "Your Majesty, Mummy". She also opened the 2012 Olympics Games in London on 27th July, and the Paralympics on the 29th August. By doing this she became the first head of state to open two Olympic Games in two different countries (Montreal 1976). She also starred alongside Daniel Craig in a James Bond short movie for her entrance to the Opening Ceremony. Due to this, on April 4th 2013, she was awarded an honorary BAFTA for her patronage to the film industry, and was regarded as the "most memorable Bond Girl yet".
On March 3rd 2013, she was admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital, but was released the next day. It is believed that she suffered gastroenteritis. She has also limited her travelling. The Queen did not attend the biennial CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) in November hosted by Sri Lanka, instead sending Prince Charles. It was the first time since 1973 that she didn't attend the meeting.
The Queen has been a figurehead for her people since her succession in 1952. Even though she doesn't intend to step down, majority of her work is being done by Prince Charles, due to her age. She is the oldest British Monarch in history, and the second longest reigning living monarch, behind King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
Titles and Styles
She was educated privately under the care of her mother and governess Marion Crawford. Her lessons focused on history, language, literature and music. Many relatives and peers referred to her as sensible and well-behaved compared to Princess Margaret.
When her grandfather died, Princess Elizabeth's father became heir presumptive to the throne. Elizabeth wasn't expected to become Queen but when Edward VIII abdicated, her father became King George VI and Elizabeth became heiress presumptive. Elizabeth became fluent in French and received private tuition in constitutional history from Henry Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton College. She socialized through the 1st Buckingham Palace Girl Guides Company and later enrolled as a sea ranger. When her parents toured Canada and the U.S., Elizabeth stayed in Britain and wrote to her parents often. She made her first transatlantic call with them on May 18th of that year.
When war was declared in September 1939, London was devastated by bombing from the German Luftwaffe. As children living in major cities were evacuated to the country, so to were Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. There were plans for the Princesses to go to Canada but Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) would not allow it. Until Christmas 1939 they stayed at Balmoral Castle, them they went to Sandringham House, Norfolk. They stayed at Royal Lodge , Windsor, uniti; moving to Windsor Castle. They staged pantomimes in aid of the Queen's Wool Fund. In 1940 the 14 year old Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast during the BBC's Children's Hour, addressing other children evacuated from major cities across the country.
She assumed official duties at 16 and begun solo public appearances. Her first solo appearance was a visit to the Grenadier Guards of which she was appointed Colonel-in-Chief the previous year. During World War II she served in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service as an honourary Second Subaltern, service number 230873. By an amendment to the Regency Act she became a Counsellor of State on her 18th birthday. The first time she acted in such a capacity was when her father visited Italy in July 1944. She trained as a driver and mechanic and was promoted to honourary Junior Commander five months after joining the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service. On V.E Day she appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, and with Princess Margaret, she went anonymously in the streets to celebrate.
She made her first foreign tour in 1947 accompanied by her parents and sister. During the tour, on her 21st birthday, she broadcasted the following pledge to the British Commonwealth:
"I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong."
In 1934 and 1937, Elizabeth met her future husband, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. They are second cousins once removed through King Christian IX of Denmark and third cousins through Queen Victoria. They met again on a tour of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in July 1939. She instantly fell in love with him and they announced their engagement on the 9th July 1947. Philip was foreign born, had no financial standings and had sisters married to German noblemen with NAZI connections. It is believed that Elizabeth's mother didn't approve of the marriage, but it was still given approval. Philip renounced his claims to the Danish and Greek thrones and converted to Anglicanism. Philip was then styled Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten. before the wedding he was created HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
They married on the 20th November 1947 at Westminster Abbey. They received 2500 gifts and saved ration coupons to buy material for her gown, designed by Norman Hartnell. The Duke of Windsor and the Duke of Edinburgh's German relations were not allowed to come.
On the 14th November 1948, Prince Charles was born and letters patent allowed Elizabeth's children to use the style HRH and rank of royal prince or princess. Princess Anne was born two years later in 1950.
The couple lived at Windlesham Moor near, Windsor Castle until the 4th July 1949 and then lived at Clarence House in London. Between 1949 and 1951, Philip was stationed in Malta and the couple lived in the hamlet of Gwardamanga, at Villa Guardamangia, the rented home of Lord Mountbatten. Charles and Anne remained in Britain.
On the death of George VI in 1952 she succeeded to the throne after spending a night at the Tree Tops Hotel. Philip told his wife of her fathers death at their Kenyan home, Sagana Lodge. The Queen quickly returned to Britain and she was proclaimed Queen throughout her realms. Letters patent kept the Royal House Windsor, and didn't let it change to the "House of Mountbatten". But all male descendants that didn't bare the royal titles would have the last name "Mountbatten-Windsor". Leading up to the coronation, Princess Margaret wanted to marry Peter Townsend, a divorcee 16 years her senior with two sons. The Queen told her sister to wait a year but Margaret abandoned her plans of marriage and eventually married Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Despite Queen Mary's death on the 24th March 1953, the coronation went ahead as normal and took place at Westminster Abbey on the 2nd June 1953. All of it was televised except the anointing and communion. Norman Hartnell designed the dress which included floral emblems from Commonwealth countries.
From the start of her reign, The Queen witnessed the destruction of the British Empire and the growth of the Commonwealth of Nations. Spanning from 1953-1954, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh embarked on a six month tour around the world. She was the first reigning monarch to visit Australia and New Zealand. Three quarters of Australia saw her during her visit. The amount of travel she has done over the years has led to her being the most widely traveled head of state.
When Sir Anthony Eden resigned on the 10th January 1957, the Queen had to choose whom was to be the Prime Minister as there was no formal regulation for the Conservative Party to choose a new leader. Consulting the British Cabinet, Lord Salisbury, the Lord President of the Council, Lord Kilmuir, Winston Churchill and Chairman of the Backbench 1922 Committee, the Queen appointed Harold Macmillan as Prime Minister. This angered many people as the Queen chose the PM and not the party or the people. When Macmillan resigned in 1963, he advised the Earl of Home to be appointed PM and the Queen came under the same scrutiny. The Conservative Party put a formal mechanism in place in 1965.
In 1957 she visited the United States and addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Nations. She also went to Canada and opened the 23rd Canadian Parliament, becoming the first monarch to open a parliamentary session in Canada. Two years later she revisited the U.S. and Canada and when landing at St.John's, Newfoundland, she learnt that she was pregnant with her third child. The Queen showed her strength during the 1960's when she visited Ghana and dismissed safety risks, and again in 1964 when she visited Quebec after hearing a group was plotting her assassination. Yet she was not harmed by the Quebec separatist movement and the riots ended in Montreal.
The Queen attended every State Opening of Parliament except in 1959 and 1963 when she was pregnant with Princes Andrew and Edward. She gave birth to Andrew in early 1960 and birth to Edward in early 1964.
The 1960's and 1970's saw the decolonization of Africa and the Caribbean. To combat this she instituted new practices and one was walking about and meeting ordinary members of the public. The first time she did this was in 1970 during a tour of New Zealand and Australia. Over 20 countries were granted independence from Britain. Rhodesia declared unilateral independence from Britain while still expressing loyalty to Elizabeth. The Queen dismissed the PM of Rhodesia in a formal declaration and other countries placed sanctions on Rhodesia.
In February 1974, PM Edward Heath advised the Queen to call a general election during her tour of the Austronesian Pacific Rim, requiring her to fly back to London. The election resulted in a hung parliament. Heath resigned and Harold Wilson and the Labour party were asked to form a government. The 1975 Australian Constitutional Crisis also fueled republicanism in Australia when Gordon Scholes, Speaker of the House of Representatives, appealed to the Queen to reverse Kerr's decision. She declined and stated she would not interfere in the Governor-General's constitutional powers.
In 1977, the Queen marked her Silver Jubilee. The Silver Jubilee was marked by tours of the Commonwealth, parties throughout the Commonwealth and re-affirmation of the Queen's popularity with the public. In 1978 the Queen welcomed a state visit by Romania's communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu, and his wife, Elena. The Queen privately frowned the couples actions. In 1979, the former surveyor of the Queen's Pictures, Anthony Blunt, was a communist spy, and the assassination of her relative Lord Mountbatten by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. The Queen was also worried about republicanism in Canada, but even though all links to the British Parliament were removed from the Canadian Constitution, the Queen was kept as the Head of State.
During the 1981 Trooping the Colour ceremony, six shots were fired at the Queen from a close range as she rode down The Mall of her horse. The assailant, Marcus Sarjeant, was sentenced to five years prison but was released after three. The Queen's composure was praised by many during this event. Six weeks after the assassination attempt, Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul's Cathedral.
From April to September 1982 was an anxious time for the Queen as Prince Andrew, her son, fought in the Falklands War, however she was proud of his efforts. He returned home safe. On the 9th July 1982, the Queen awoke to an intruder sitting at the foot of her bed. Michael Fagan was removed by police 7 minutes after a distress call was sounded. After the U.S State visit to the United Kingdom, and the Queen's state visit to the U.S., the Queen was angered over the American invasion of Grenada, her realm in the Caribbean, without informing her.
In the 1980's, the Queen's feuding with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher came to light. Firstly, The Sunday Times of 20 July 1986 reported that the Queen was worried that PM's economic policies fostered social divisions, that there was instability within the nation's working classes, and a refusal of sanctions against apartheid South Africa. The source of this information was Michael Shea, Press Secretary to the Queen, and Commonwealth Secretary-General Shridath Ramphal. After Thatcher resigned from office, she was awarded the Order of Merit, Order of the Garter, and later made a life peer (Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven). However many claim the Queen was instrumental in the end of South African apartheid.
From 1987, republicanism was a high profile agenda, with many realms debating if they should retain the monarchy. With the defeat of the Meech Lake Accord, Quebec and Canada began to debate republicanism. This followed with the deposition of the elected Fijian government in a military coup. The Governor-General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau was overthrown, and Fiji was declared a republic. This republicanism feeling reached Britain in 1991 with the Queen's finances estimated, and the idea of her paying Income Tax was debated, as the biggest landowner in Britain.
In 1991, in the wake of victory in the Gulf War, the Queen addressed a joint session of the U.S Congress, becoming the first British Monarch to do so. 1992 was not such a good year. On the 24th November 1992, on her 40th Jubilee at Guildhall, she referred to 1992 as her 'annus horribilis', meaning 'horrible year'. In March, second son Andrew separated from his wife Sarah, while in April, her daughter Anne divorced Captain Mark Phillips. During a state visit in October, eggs were thrown at the Queen in Dresden. Yet, it was in November, when Windsor Castle suffered severe fire damage, that caused much personal pain. The Queen again received criticism as she it was expected the public pay for the reconstruction. However, reforms made the Queen pay income tax, reduce the civil list. The Royal Residences were opened with the Queen getting 10% of the profit, with it going to the Windsor Castle repair bill. In December, Charles separated from Diana. The year ended with the Queen suing The Sun newspaper for breach of copyright when it published the script of her Christmas message two days before broadcast. The newspaper payed her legal fees and donated £200,000 to charity.
Prince Charles and Diana finally divorced in 1996, after consultation with Prince Philip, Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, Private Secretary Robert Fellowes, and PM John Major. A year later, on the 31 August 1997, Diana died in a car crash in Paris. The Queen, was at Balmoral on holiday, with Prince Phillip, Prince Charles, and the young Princes William and Harry. The Royal Family were criticised for showing little sympathy as they didn't come down to London immediately, didn't mention Diana in their church service, and didn't fly the flag at half mast over Buckingham Palace. However, this public hostility disappeared when the Queen made to the public on the 5th September, the eve of Diana's funeral. She showed reverence and admiration for Diana and the public quickly forgave the Queen.
2002 saw the Golden Jubilee of the Queen's reign. After 50 years, her Kingdom has shrunk, and the British Empire turned into the Commonwealth. However, it was an achievement that hadn't been seen since the reign of Queen Victoria. It was believed by many that it wouldn't be a success as both Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, had died in February and March. The Queen was the clear matriarch of the Windsor family. A tour of the realms took place and there were three days worth of events in the United Kingdom.
In 2003, the Queen has keyhole surgery on both knees and in 2006, had problems with her back muscles which stopped her from opening the new Emirates Stadium. In May 2007, The Daily Telegraph claimed that the Queen disliked many of Tony Blair's policies and was worried about the overstretched army in Iraq and Afghanistan, and rural issues. However, it is believed that she admired Blair's peace keeping in Northern Ireland. In 2008, she attended her first Maundy service outside of England and Wales, at Church of Ireland St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.
In 2010, she addresses the United Nations General Assembly for the second time, being introduced by Ban Ki Moon as the "anchor for our age". She spoke in her capacity as Queen of all her Realms, and Head of the Commonwealth. She also opened a memorial garden for all the British victims of the September 11 attacks in New York.
From May 17th-20th 2011, the Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, made a state visit to the Republic of Ireland. This was the first visit of a British Monarch since Ireland became a republic. It was the largest security operation in Irish history and involved the Queen visiting Irish nationalist sites such as the Garden of Remembrance and Croke Park, a scene from the 1920 Bloody Sunday massacre. At a state dinner at Dublin Castle, she spoke in Irish saying: "A Uachtaráin, agus a chairde" she said — "President and friends". This astonished many guests and even caused President Mary McAleese to say "wow" three times. The speech amazed many guests with its tolerance and sorrow.
The Queen also made a visit to Australia in October 2011, her 16th visit to her pacific realm. Many newspapers called it "the farewell tour" due to her declining public commitments and age. During this tour, Australian Republicanism was at it's lowest.
In 2012, the Queen reached her Diamond Jubilee, with celebrations occurring throughout Britain and throughout her realms and the Commonwealth. Whilst the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh toured the United Kingdom, other royals toured various parts of the Commonwealth. On June 4th, 2000 beacons were lit around the world to celebrate her reign, with a concert occurring around the Victorian memorial. However, Prince Philip was admitted to hospital with a bladder infection. The crowd called his name during a speech given by Prince Charles, in which he called the Queen; "Your Majesty, Mummy". She also opened the 2012 Olympics Games in London on 27th July, and the Paralympics on the 29th August. By doing this she became the first head of state to open two Olympic Games in two different countries (Montreal 1976). She also starred alongside Daniel Craig in a James Bond short movie for her entrance to the Opening Ceremony. Due to this, on April 4th 2013, she was awarded an honorary BAFTA for her patronage to the film industry, and was regarded as the "most memorable Bond Girl yet".
On March 3rd 2013, she was admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital, but was released the next day. It is believed that she suffered gastroenteritis. She has also limited her travelling. The Queen did not attend the biennial CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) in November hosted by Sri Lanka, instead sending Prince Charles. It was the first time since 1973 that she didn't attend the meeting.
The Queen has been a figurehead for her people since her succession in 1952. Even though she doesn't intend to step down, majority of her work is being done by Prince Charles, due to her age. She is the oldest British Monarch in history, and the second longest reigning living monarch, behind King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
Titles and Styles
- 21 April 1926 – 11 December 1936: Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth of York
- 11 December 1936 – 20 November 1947: Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth
- 20 November 1947 – 6 February 1952: Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh
- 6 February 1952 – present: Her Majesty The Queen