Elizabeth II, born on April 21, 1926, is the reigning Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Born in the vibrant city of London, England, she goes by her given name Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor. Her father, George VI, ascended the throne in 1936 after her brother’s abdication. Elizabeth is the eldest daughter of George VI and his wife, Isabel. Following the Anglican tradition, she was baptized into the faith. Elizabeth received her education at home, where her mother and governess, Marion Crawford, provided her with extensive knowledge in various subjects including history, language, literature, and music. Marion Crawford even authored a biographical book called “The Little Princesses,” which depicted the early years of Elizabeth and her sister, Margarita. The book not only highlighted Elizabeth’s love for horses and dogs but also showcased her remarkable sense of responsibility at a young age.
When Elizabeth was older, she got married to Lieutenant Phillip, who was the Prince of Greece and Denmark. Because of this, Phillip and Elizabeth became known as the Dukes of Edinburgh. Their marriage resulted in the birth of four children: Charles, who became the Prince of Wales and the next in line for the throne, Princess Anne, Andrew, who became the Duke of York, and Edward, who became the Earl of Wessex. When Elizabeth’s father passed away, she was in Kenya with her mother, which was then a British colony. On June 2, 1953, Elizabeth was officially crowned as Elizabeth II. This grand event took place in the historic Westminster Abbey, where she became the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The event was a grand spectacle, broadcasted far and wide for all to see. Dignitaries and representatives from various European royal families graced the occasion with their presence. Queen Elizabeth II, fulfilling her duties, took on the responsibility of upholding the unified nature of the Crown within the political landscape of the former British Empire, now known as the Commonwealth post-decolonization. While the political influence of the British monarchy had waned following World War II, it continued to hold a symbolic significance. But things were changing. Elizabeth II, unlike her predecessors, embarked on numerous journeys to foster stronger political ties with the former colonies. These diplomatic efforts showcased the queen’s commitment to nurturing improved relations.
She worked hard to build connections with people from various backgrounds, regardless of their race, beliefs, or cultures. Despite becoming highly popular, she faced criticism and controversy within her own family. There was widespread discussion about the marital problems faced by her children: Prince Andrew’s separation from Sarah Ferguson, the publicized tensions between Prince Charles and the beloved Princess Diana, and the divorce of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips. To add to the turmoil, the Palace of Windsor, where the queen resided, caught fire the same year, resulting in significant material and financial losses. The government quickly announced its commitment to covering the expenses of the necessary repairs.
The previous event faced immense public scrutiny, resulting in a significant decline in the institution’s popularity. Once again, Prince Charles found himself at the center of controversy surrounding Princess Diana’s tragic car accident. The royal family’s evident lack of empathy drew considerable criticism. To remedy the situation, Queen Elizabeth II took various steps to bridge the gap with the people and foster stronger connections. She aimed to display a warmer and less formal side of her family. During their golden wedding anniversary, she expressed her intention to make the monarchy more accessible to the public. The goal was to infuse a sense of familiarity and inclusivity into the crown’s celebrations, as well as to personally visit the victims of terrorist acts. These gestures gradually yielded positive results.
The queen has always been devoted to upholding tradition and maintaining order and practicality throughout her reign. However, her popularity reached new heights during the celebrations of her silver jubilee, as she embarked on national tours and visited Commonwealth member countries. Despite her overall good health, Queen Elizabeth encountered a setback in 2003 when she faced knee problems that required surgery and forced her to cancel certain commitments. Additionally, in March 2013, she was admitted to King Edward VII’s hospital due to a stomach infection that exhibited symptoms of gastroenteritis. It was rumored that the queen expressed her discontent with the policies imposed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, particularly regarding the strain on the British Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as concerns regarding rural issues. The queen’s dynamic reign and occasional challenges have further deepened her connection with the public.
Despite the challenges, Elizabeth has been a staunch supporter of Blair’s peace efforts in Northern Ireland. She even had a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Scotland back in 2010. The celebrations of her diamond and sapphire jubilees were grand affairs that showcased the unity and joy in the United Kingdom. Elizabeth II’s reign has been praised for her skillful management of national unification, successfully averting the separation of the United Kingdom from its constituent countries. She played a crucial role in transitioning from an imperial system to a free association of nations, with a strong focus on fostering mutual cooperation, democracy, and cultural exchange among them.
Elizabeth II has had one of the lengthiest reigns ever seen in the country’s history. Despite the media’s tendency to portray her in a trivialized manner, she has always maintained her popularity. There have been numerous attempts, including referendums, in recent times to eliminate the English monarchy, but so far, they have not been successful. While some argue that this institution goes against democratic principles and is outdated, there are still many individuals who staunchly defend it. However, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of transparency in the financial affairs of the Royal House.