Joy, sorrow, jubilation: The milestones of Queen Elizabeth II's reign

Created: 08/14/2022, 17:07

By: Larissa Glunz

Queen Elizabeth II lives for the crown.

In her long reign she has already overcome many hurdles and celebrated some highlights.

The milestones of the exceptional monarch are still remembered today.

1 / 15God Save the Queen: The national anthem in honor of Queen Elizabeth II has been heard in Great Britain for over 70 years.

The monarch can look back on an eventful life.

(Photomontage) © Pa/Ben Stansall/dpa

2 / 15At the time of her birth, no one suspected that little Elizabeth (2nd from left) would one day take a seat on the throne.

After the abdication of her uncle Edward VIII in December 1936, the crown passed to her father George VI.

(l.) above.

The then ten-year-old Elizabeth became the first in line to the throne and her future changed from one day to the next.

© Courtesy Everett Collection/Imago

3 / 1573 years of marital bliss could Elizabeth and her Philip (99, † 2021) experience together.

The then British Crown Princess and the naval officer with German roots exchanged vows on November 20, 1947 in front of 2,000 guests in London.

© United Archives International/Imago

4 / 15The birth of the first child marks an important turning point in the life of every woman.

Elizabeth and Philip's first son, Prince Charles, was born on November 14, 1948.

The Queen became a mother for the first time at the age of 22, securing the line of succession to the British throne.

© United Archives International/Imago

5 / 15Princess Elizabeth becomes Queen Elizabeth II.: After the sudden death of King George VI.

(56, † 1952) on February 6, 1952, the then 25-year-old followed her father to the British throne.

Almost 280 million TV viewers worldwide did not want to miss the pompous coronation on June 2, 1953.

©Pa/dpa

6 / 15This milestone put the whole of London in a party mood: Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee was celebrated in June 1977 as part of the "Jubilee Days".

Street festivals, church services, fireworks etc. were held in honor of the monarch.

© Zuma/Imago

7 / 15The birth of Prince William heralded a new generation of heirs to the throne, at the time Queen Elizabeth II was already a grandmother of two.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana's first child was born on June 21, 1982.

© United Archives/Imago

8 / 15The "annus horribilis" (engl.: year of horror) 1992 is probably still remembered by the Queen to this day.

Not only the separations of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson and Prince Charles and Diana and the divorce of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips caused an uproar in the palace.

In November, a fire devastated several rooms at Windsor Castle.

© Martin Gerten/dpa

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9 / 15The Queen angered her compatriots when she remained silent for days after Princess Diana's tragic death on August 31, 1997 and did not return to London immediately.

The royal family was accused of cold-heartedness and aloofness, and their cool reaction sparked consternation in Britain.

© John Stillwell/dpa

10 / 15After two strokes of fate in spring 2002, the death of her sister Margaret (71, † 2002) and her mother Queen Mum (101, † 2002), Queen Elizabeth II had reason to smile again in the summer.

The monarch celebrated her 50th anniversary with the "Golden Jubilee Weekend" in London and several trips abroad.

© Martyn Hayhow/dpa

11 / 15Ten years later, the next milestone has already been celebrated.

In June 2012, all of London was in a state of emergency again as the unflappable Queen celebrated the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

The highlight of the celebrations: a kilometer-long parade of ships through the metropolis.

© Paul Marriott/Imago

12 / 15Queen Elizabeth II does not have to worry about her successor.

The birth of her great-grandson Prince George on July 22, 2013, the first child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, made royal history.

For the first time since 1894, there are three generations of heirs to the throne at the same time (Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George).

© John Stillwell/dpa

13 / 15Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning British monarch.

On September 9, 2015, she overtook her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria (1901, † 81), who held the office of head of state for 63 years and 216 days.

© Zuma Press/Imago

14 / 152021 Queen Elizabeth II had to say goodbye to her great love.

Prince Philip died at Windsor Castle on April 9, aged 99.

Due to the corona restrictions, the funeral service only took place in a small circle.

The image of the lonely queen moved royal fans worldwide.

© Jonathan Brady/dpa

15 / 15Queen Elizabeth II still commands her royal wave after 70 years of reign, as she demonstrated at the celebrations in June 2022.

No other British head of state before her has reached this impressive milestone, and the dutiful 96-year-old is the world's oldest reigning monarch.

© Cover Images/Imago

London – She has been on the throne for more than 70 years.

Queen Elizabeth II has seen palace guests, ministers, presidents & Co. come and go.

She is the great constant in the British royal family, who has mastered crises and overcome blows of fate with ease over the years.

The regent is also very popular with her compatriots, and Elizabeth II continues to hold her scepter firmly.