Queen Elizabeth 70 years on the throne: Everything you need to know

– 1952: From Princess to Queen –

Princess Elizabeth, then 25, was traveling to Kenya with her husband, Prince Philip, when her father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952, at the age of 56.

She shortened the trip and went back to Britain.

– 1953: Coronation –

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II did not take place until the following year. He was crowned at Westminster Abbey in front of 8,500 assembled guests on June 2, 1953.

The ceremony was seen around the world and led to an increase in sales of television sets.

– 1977: Silver Jubilee –

During the Queen’s 25 years on the throne she reaffirmed her pledge of lifelong service to Britain and the Commonwealth, which she gave in a speech in 1947 at the age of 21.

She toured the country and the Commonwealth. The celebratory street parties provided some respite from the economic downturn at home, marked by industrial decline and strikes.

– 1992: ‘Annus horribilis’ –

The Queen’s eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, separated from Princess Diana, and their second son, Prince Andrew, separated from his wife Sarah.

Her only daughter, Princess Anne, divorced her husband, Mark Phillips. His favorite home, Windsor Castle, west of London, was also severely damaged by the fire.

The queen called the 12 months “anus horribilis”.

– 1997: Death of Diana –

Diana’s death in a car accident on August 31, 1997 shook the royal family, causing rare criticism from the Queen for staying at her Balmoral estate in Scotland.

She eventually returned, the Union Jack was flown at half-mast at Buckingham Palace, and the Queen paid a televised tribute to Diana, helping to quell the public’s anger.

– 2002: Golden Jubilee –

The celebration of the Queen’s 50 years on the throne came in the same year that her own mother and younger sister Margaret died, and showed public support for the monarchy.

A huge crowd gathered at The Mall in central London to watch Queen guitarist Brian May play the national anthem from the roof of Buckingham Palace after a star-studded pop concert.

– 2011: State visit to Ireland –

The Queen’s first visit to Ireland by a British monarch since the Republic of Ireland gained independence in 1922 saw the republic’s largest ever security campaign.

An address in Irish, as well as other symbolic gestures, helped cement reconciliation and the peace process in Northern Ireland, after years of conflict over British rule.

– 2012: Olympics and Diamond Jubilee –

The Queen and other senior royals toured every region of Britain to mark their 60 years on the throne. Lights were lit across the country and a river competition was held in London.

The opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics had a surprise cameo hit for the monarch alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig.

– 2021: Covid, Philip, health concerns –

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the aged Queen into self-isolation in Windsor, from where she has made public appearances by video conference.

Prince Philip died in April 2021 at the age of 99, while fears for the Queen’s own health grew later that year when she spent a night in hospital and was forced to cut back on her duties.