Queen Elizabeth II was born 100 years ago on April 21, 1926. Britain’s longest-reigning monarch held the throne for 70 years, concluding with her passing at age 96 in September 2022. Platinum Jubilee festivities honored her milestone just three months earlier. She stood as a steadfast symbol of strength, stability, grace, and dignity for the nation. Born as Princess Elizabeth, third in line to the throne, she ascended to heir apparent after her uncle King Edward VIII’s abdication and later became Queen.
Her remarkable life featured countless memorable occasions, captured from her 1953 coronation to her final Buckingham Palace balcony appearance. Key highlights include:
Audience with Liz Truss
Queen Elizabeth II hosted newly elected Conservative leader Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle on September 6, 2022, inviting her to form a government as Prime Minister. Held in Scotland due to the monarch’s health, this traditional meeting occurred just two days before her death on September 8.
Final Balcony Appearance
On June 5, 2022, the Queen made her last public balcony wave at Buckingham Palace, visibly moved by crowds lining The Mall. She appeared alongside her son King Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, aged eight, seven, and four.
Platinum Jubilee Milestone
The 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrated 70 years of reign, a record for British monarchs. She began her rule at age 25 on February 6, 1952, following King George VI’s death while she visited Kenya.
90th Birthday Festivities
Queen Elizabeth II reached her 90th birthday on April 21, 2016, the first British monarch to do so. Events featured a Windsor walkabout, a televised gala at Windsor Castle, a Thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and beacons lit across the nation.
Speech After London Bombings
Queen Elizabeth II addressed Royal London Hospital staff on July 8, 2005, praising their response to the prior day’s central London attacks. The bombings claimed at least 50 lives and injured hundreds more.
