The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

I was born on April 21^st, 1926, in London. My father, Prince Albert is not supposed to become the King because he has got an older brother, Prince Edward.

But when my grandfather, George V, dies, my uncle becomes King Edward VIII but he decides to abdicate because he wants to marry an American divorcee called Wallis Simpsons.

In 1936, my father becomes King George VI and I become the heir to the throne : I'm only 10 years old.

When I am 21, I marry my distant cousin Philip Mountbatten of the Royal Navy. He is also Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. The marriage takes place in Westminster Abbey on November 20^th, 1947. Philip becomes the Duke of Edinburgh.

Our first child, Prince Charles was born in November 1948, at Buckingham Palace. Anne, our only daughter was born in August 1950.

In the summer of 1951 my father's health is very bad and when Philip and I are in Kenya, he dies on February 6^th, 1952. 

I am 26 years old, and I am now Queen Elizabeth: I come back to England immediately. 

I am crowned at Westminster Abbey on June 2^nd, 1953.

I start a very long reign.

Philip and I also have two more children: Andrew, in 1960 and Edward in 1964.

I visit all the countries of the Commonwealth, the countries with a strong link with the United Kingdom, our ancient colonies!

In 1977, it's my “Silver Jubilee” for my 25 years as a Queen.

I have a big London banquet with the leaders of the 36 members of the Commonwealth. I travel all over Britain and Northern Ireland, and go to the South Pacific and Australia, to Canada, and to the Caribbean.

During the 1980s, our children get married and we become grandparents: William was born in 1982, Harry in 1984.

Unfortunatelly, in the 1990s, the royal family faces many challenges. It is annus horribilis. 3 of our children separate and divorce: Prince Charles and his wife, Diana, Prince Andrew and his wife, Sarah, and Anne and her husband Mark.

My castle, the royal residence of Windsor Castle, takes fire and I must open Buckingham Palace to the public in the summer to pay for repairs. 

Princess Diana, William and Harry's mother dies in 1997 in a car accident in Paris and I am very criticised because people think I don't care about her death.

2011 is a great year because Prince William marries Princess Catherine and I love her very much!

In 2012 I celebrate my “Diamond Jubilee”: 60 years on the throne. 

I am now a great-grandmother!

On September 9^th, 2015, I break Queen Victoria’s record of 63 years and 216 days as a Queen!

Because of Covid, I leave London in March 2020 and I live in Windsor but I can't see my family very much.

In 2021, my dear husband Prince Philip dies a few days before his 100th birthday.

On 6^th February 2022, I am the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee: 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives will take place throughout the year, culminating in a four day bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2^nd to Sunday 5^th of June.