The Life of Queen Elizabeth II
It only took four words to mark the end of an extraordinary era: London Bridge has fallen.
After 70 years on Britain’s throne, Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at her Balmoral home on Thursday, the Royal Family announced.
As the world’s longest-serving monarch, she was a revolution. Her reign lasted from the industrial age to that of the internet as she endured countless tragedies, successes, and global phenomena over the past seven decades.
Born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, she was never expected to take the throne as queen. In 1936, her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated after his marriage proposal to an American divorcee was deemed to be too scandalous to the royal family and the entire Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth’s father then took the crown, making her the direct heir and next ruler of Great Britain.
At the age of 25, Queen Elizabeth assumed the throne and became a strong and constant leader for the world to admire. Over her tenure, the Queen worked with 15 British prime ministers, met with innumerable world leaders, and created a stronger connection from the palace to the greater public. In 1953, she broadcasted her coronation across the globe, creating an international spectacle of her rise to power and opening the world’s eyes to royalty.
She was a queen of many firsts, not just including that broadcast. Queen Elizabeth II started the royal tradition of greeting the crowd at public appearances. She was also the first British monarch to address the U.S. Congress in 1991 and consistently made noteworthy diplomatic visits across the world.
Beyond her rank, there was a reason so many felt a personal connection to the Queen. Known for her witty humor and bright sense of style, the world knew exactly who she was.
It’s hard to capture the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant in this world and a symbol of strength and resiliency for so many, resonating with people beyond the borders of her commonwealth.
Operation London Bridge will enact a meticulous plan to honor the Queen and her life for the next 10 days as Great Britain continues to mourn the loss of its monarch. This plan includes the rules of Charles’s succession to the throne, the funeral process, and more. The world will continue to honor the Queen.
She will not be forgotten as the world will forever say, “God save the Queen.”
Photo from Unsplash.