Queen Elizabeth II has served as Queen since 1952 and is the longest-reigning monarch in Britain. However, at what age did she ascend to the throne? Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born on April 21, 1926, in London.
She was the firstborn child of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Duke and Duchess of York, and was third in line to the throne behind her father and her uncle, the Prince of Wales.
Queen Elizabeth II, who held the title of England’s longest-reigning Queen, peacefully passed away at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle on Thursday. Throughout her seven decades as monarch, the country she ruled over underwent a period of significant upheaval and transition on a massive scale.
At What Age Did Queen Elizabeth Ascend to the Throne?
Following a prolonged battle with illness, King George VI passed away on February 6, 1952. While staying at the Royal Estate in Sandringham, he peacefully passed away in his sleep.
The King’s eldest daughter, Princess Elizabeth, also held the position of second in line to the throne after her father. At the age of 25, she promptly assumed the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II, and took on all the responsibilities associated with the title without delay.
At the time, she was in Kenya, making her the only Sovereign to accede to her position while traveling overseas in over 200 years. She continued the legacy of her father by assuming her throne.
When Did Elizabeth II Become Queen Exactly?
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, following her succession to the throne earlier that same year. At the age of 27, she ascended to the throne.
According to the website of the British royal family, this event was “a solemn ceremony,” and Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, presided over the proceedings.
Representatives from both the House of Peers and the House of Commons, as well as representatives from all of Britain’s most important public interests, were present at the ceremony. The Prime Minister, prominent citizens from other Commonwealth nations, and representatives from other states were also in attendance.
Despite the persistent rain at the time, large crowds of people still lined the path to witness the procession. Additionally, the event was broadcast on radios worldwide, and for the first time, it was televised at the Queen’s request. Approximately 20 million people around the world watched the event.
The ceremony commenced at 11:15 in the morning and lasted for nearly three hours. The ceremony comprised six distinct segments: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture (including the crowning), the enthronement, and the adoration.
During the Coronation service, the Queen wore the St. Edward’s Crown, which was crafted in 1661 and weighs four pounds and twelve ounces. The crown is made of solid gold and measures 12 inches in diameter.
She was the 39th Sovereign to receive the honor and was the sixth queen to be crowned in Westminster Abbey in her own right, following in the footsteps of Queen Mary, who was the first queen to be crowned there on October 1, 1553. St. Edward’s Chair, which has been used for every coronation since it was made in 1300 for Edward I and is now permanently housed at Westminster Abbey, was chosen for her coronation.
Why Wasn’t Prince Philip Crowned King?
Prince Philip, also known as the late Duke of Edinburgh, who lived to be 99 years old before passing away, was never granted the title of “king.”
In Britain, a woman who marries a king has the right to be called a queen, but the criteria differ for men who marry female monarchs such as Queen Elizabeth II.
They are not allowed to be called kings because that title is reserved exclusively for individuals who come from royal bloodlines and inherit the throne.
She married Prince Philip in 1947, several years before her accession to the throne in 1952. After some time had passed, she conferred upon Philip the title of “prince,” although he had previously been known as the Duke of Edinburgh.
Global mourning ensued in response to the news of her death. Instantly after the news of her passing was made public, crowds began gathering outside the gates of Buckingham Palace, and international leaders began sending notes of grief, praising her sense of duty and tenacity.
She passed away on September 08, 2022.
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