Written by | Dong Xin
According to the official social platform account of the British royal family, on the afternoon of September 8, local time, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom died at balmoral Castle in Scotland at the age of 96.
Born on 21 April 1926 and ascended to the throne in 1952, Elizabeth II is the longest reigning monarch in British history.
This year marks the 70th year of Elizabeth II's reign. On June 2, the United Kingdom celebrated the "Platinum Jubilee" for four consecutive days. After attending the opening ceremony, Elizabeth II was absent from several events due to "physical discomfort".
On the last day of the celebration, the Queen, dressed in a green suit and accompanied by her family, suddenly appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, triggering cheers from the crowd.
The British National Radio and Television (BBC) has reported that the Queen has become a "cornerstone of the country" over the long years and has become an integral part of britain's image.
In the past century, the Queen of England has set many precedents.
- In 1945
- "The Woman Who Grew Up In Wartime"
Since the establishment of the British army in the mid-17th century, the law has stipulated that the King or Queen of England is the titular supreme commander of the army. Members of the British royal family have a tradition of military service, and Queen Elizabeth is the only woman in the British royal family who participated in World War II.
In 1945, at the age of 19, Elizabeth joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service, the Rear Guard Support Force, number 230873. After six weeks of driving and car repair training, she became the first officially trained car mechanic in the British royal family and earned the rank of honorary second lieutenant.
The British newspaper "The Independent" said that Elizabeth II was a "woman who grew up in wartime", "she drove trucks for the military, learned how to repair equipment", and also experienced the baptism of gunfire with other Britons.
- In 1953
- Coronation for the first televised broadcast
Elizabeth II was the third in line to the throne, her father was the second son of King George V, and her uncle was King Edward VIII.
In 1936, Edward VIII abdicated and was succeeded by his younger brother as King George VI. Princess Elizabeth, who was 10 years old at the time, became the first heir to the throne as the eldest daughter of George VI.
On 6 February 1952, George VI died of illness, and Princess Elizabeth, who was on a trip to Africa, succeeded to the throne at the age of 25.
On 2 June 1953, Elizabeth II was coronated at Westminster Abbey, which was televised live, the first time in British history.
According to the BBC, the total population of the United Kingdom was 36 million that year, the coronation ceremony was broadcast by about 27 million people, and 11 million people were on the radio to listen to the ceremony live.
After the coronation, Elizabeth II returned to Buckingham Palace, where 3 million people cheered along the roadside.
- In 1970
- Take LinkedIn royal chamber into the crowd
In 1970, Elizabeth II and Prince Philip took Princess Anne on a trip to Australia and New Zealand. In the meantime, she leisurely walked through the crowd of welcome people in the middle of the road, greeting everyone as she walked.
The move broke with centuries-old traditions of the British royal family. Previously, they were all surrounded by bodyguards waving to the crowd from a distant car.
The BBC reported that the first "walk" was suggested by the Queen's personal secretary, Sir William Hesseltin, and later became a routine for members of the British royal family to do official business at home and abroad.
- In 1986
- The first British head of state to visit China
According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Kingdom announced its recognition of New China in January 1950, and was the first Western power to recognize New China.
In 1986, Elizabeth II paid a six-day state visit to China, becoming the first British head of state in history to visit China.
On the morning of October 12, 1986, then Chinese President Li Xiannian held a grand ceremony outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People to warmly welcome Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, to Visit China. Deng Xiaoping, then director of the Central Advisory Committee, met at Yangyuanzhai at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse and hosted a luncheon to entertain Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
At the welcoming banquet, Li Xiannian spoke highly of Elizabeth II's visit to China, calling it "an important milestone in the history of Sino-British relations." ”
Elizabeth II said that visiting China was a long-cherished wish of hers, and she had been eagerly looking forward to this visit. She also recalled that Queen Elizabeth I had written to the Wanli Emperor of China expressing the hope that trade between Britain and China would develop, but the letter could not be delivered.
"Fortunately, the postal service has progressed since 1602, and the letter you invited us here has arrived safely, and accepting this invitation has given us great joy." At that time, Elizabeth II also gave a copy of this letter from more than 400 years ago to Li Xiannian as a memorial.
At the end of the visit, the Queen wrote a letter of thanks to Li Xiannian in her own handwriting, saying, "Everywhere we go, we can feel the deep friendship of your country, and we are fascinated by what we have seen and heard about China's ancient civilization and its vibrant and vibrant people." She added, "Hopefully, this good relationship will continue and develop." ”
According to public reports, the gilded lion in front of Building 18 of the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse was originally placed in the Yuanmingyuan, but was later robbed by the Eight-Power Coalition and returned by the Queen during her visit to China.
- In 1991
- British monarch who speaks to the U.S. Parliament
During her reign, Elizabeth II made more than 300 foreign visits, making her the most visited British monarch.
On 15 May 1991, during a visit to the United States, Elizabeth II addressed the U.S. Congress, becoming the first British monarch in history to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress.
- In 2011
- Visited Ireland for the first time in 100 years
In May 2011, Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were invited to visit Ireland, the first time she had set foot on Irish soil as a British Head of State and the first visit to Ireland by a British monarch since 1911.
At that time, Elizabeth II laid wreaths in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, for both irish anti-British independence fighters and fallen soldiers who fought with Britain in World War I.
British media commented at the time that the Queen's visit to Ireland was an "extraordinary moment" in the history of relations between the two countries, marking the progress made in the relations between Britain and Ireland.
As a return visit, in 2014, then-Irish President Higgins paid a four-day state visit to the United Kingdom. In her welcome dinner speech, Elizabeth II said that the people who live on the island should live together like neighbors and friends, respect their respective countries, sovereignty and traditions, cooperate for the common good, and live happily in each other's company.
- In 2012
- The oldest "Bang Girl"
"I announce the official opening of the 30th Summer Olympic Games." On 28 July 2012, Elizabeth II inaugurated the London Olympic Games.
This is her second time unveiling the Summer Olympics. From July 17 to August 1, 1976, the 21st Olympic Games were held in Montreal, Canada, and Elizabeth II also presided over the opening ceremony.
At the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, the 86-year-old Queen's avatar "Bond Girl" entered one of the most impressive clips. In a pre-recorded short film, the Queen is escorted from Buckingham Palace to a helicopter by Craig, the actor who plays 007 James Pound. After meeting Craig, the Queen also uttered an immortal line from the "007" series of films: "Good evening, Mr. Bond."
Subsequently, the two "parachuted" from the helicopter and came to the "London Bowl" in a "crossing" manner.
- In 2022
- Reigned for 70 years Appointed 15 British prime ministers
On 2 June 2022, Elizabeth II became the first British monarch in history to reign for 70 years, and since 1955, all the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom have been appointed by Elizabeth II.
Her appointed British Prime Ministers included Winston Churchill, Anthony Eaton, Harold McMillan, Alec Douglas-Home, Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, James Callaghan, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Leeds Terrass.
Elizabeth II and Churchill
△ Elizabeth II and Terrasse
On 6 September, Elizabeth II appointed her 15th British Prime Minister, Terrass, in Balmoral Fort, Scotland.
This broke with the 70-year-old practice of appointing a new prime minister in London and the last time Elizabeth II appeared in the public eye.
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