Feb. 6, 1952.Society was not even a decade removed from the travesties of World War II, “I Love Lucy” was beginning its global television domination, and Dwight Eisenhower was a month into his second year as U.S. president.Unbeknownst to the world, a tragedy was about to bring a new leader onto the world stage. King George VI of Britain was found dead in his bed at Sandringham House, his country estate. He died in his sleep after several years of poor health. Despite this, at 56, his death had not been expected. Nearly 7,000 miles away in Africa, his 25-year-old daughter ascended to the throne and began to mark her place in history as Queen Elizabeth II. Now 70 years later, she becomes the first British monarch to reach their Platinum Jubilee. As the British commonwealth prepares to mark the occasion, we look back at an extraordinary 70 years of service:The unexpected queenNeither Queen Elizabeth II, nor other members of the British Royal Family, anticipated that she would ever become the monarch. When she was born in 1926, she was third in line to the throne behind her uncle, then-Prince Edward and her father, then known as the Duke of York. At the time, Edward was 32 and expected to eventually marry and have his own heirs, knocking Elizabeth down the line of succession. Eleven months after Edward ascended the throne in 1936, he caused a crisis by announcing he would abdicate the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.Within less than a year, Elizabeth went from third to first in line to the throne. She and her family moved into Buckingham Palace and her father stabilized the monarchy and the royal family for the next 16 years. Then-Princess Elizabeth spent her formative years being educated at home with her younger sister Princess Margaret. In 1947, she married her husband, Philip, in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. By 1952, the young couple had two children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne. Princes Andrew and Edward would follow in 1960 and 1964, respectively. Due to George VI’s health, Elizabeth and Philip were asked to step in for multiple engagements, including a tour of Australia and New Zealand, by way of Kenya. It was in the African nation that both Elizabeth and Philip learned their lives had changed.A participant of historyNow 95, Elizabeth has seen up close what has been and will be written about in the history books. She is both the longest-reigning British monarch and the longest-serving female head of state in history. She is just the sixth female to ascend to the British throne. In September 2015, she surpassed the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who ruled for 63 years, seven months. In her reign, Elizabeth has had 14 British Prime Ministers. She has met with 13 out of the last 14 U.S. presidents. Seven Catholic popes have served in their post in the last 70 years.Elizabeth has seen men walk on the moon, the fall of the Berlin Wall and apartheid in South Africa, and all sizes of worldwide successes and tragedies. A family affairElizabeth and Prince Philip were married for over 73 years before his death in 2021. From their four children, they had eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Elizabeth remained close with both her mother and sister until their deaths in 2002, just as Elizabeth marked her Golden Jubilee.Twenty years later, she is one of the few remaining links to the past.A historic celebration Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee itself will include a variety of public events and community activities, as well as “national moments of reflection” on the Queen’s 70 years of service.The monarch’s private estates – including Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle – will also join in with Jubilee themed events.One of the initiatives due to take place as part of the celebrations is known as the “Platinum Pudding” celebration – a nationwide baking competition seeking out a new dessert dedicated to the Queen. UK residents 8 and over will be invited to create a recipe and the finalists will be judged by a panel including famed baker Mary Berry, Monica Galetti and the Buckingham Palace head chef Mark Flanagan.The winning recipe will then be made available to the public ahead of the Jubilee Weekend.Other events planned to mark the occasion include the “BBC Platinum Party at the Palace” – a live concert which promises to bring together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars to celebrate significant moments from the Queen’s reign.On Thursday June 2, more than 1,500 towns, villages and cities throughout the UK and its overseas territories will light a beacon to mark the Jubilee. The capitals of Commonwealth countries will also light beacons.The Jubilee Weekend celebrations will also see “Big Jubilee Lunches” take place across Britain, including flagship events in London and at Cornwall’s Eden Project – where the idea for the lunches originated.A Platinum Jubilee Pageant will also be held, in which artistic performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers and volunteers will unite to tell the story of the Queen’s reign in a festival of creativity. It will take place in London and will include street arts, theater, music, circus, costumes, and visual technology.This pageant will involve a “River of Hope” section that will comprise 200 silk flags that will process down The Mall – the road in London that leads to Buckingham Palace – like a river. School children are invited to create a picture of their hopes and aspirations for the planet over the next 70 years.The artwork for the flags will be focused on climate change and incorporate the children’s messages for the future.The pageant will take place on June 5, the last day of the Platinum Jubilee Weekend celebrations, as the events marking the monarch’s historic 70-year reign draw to a close.CNN contributed to this report.
Feb. 6, 1952.
Society was not even a decade removed from the travesties of World War II, “I Love Lucy” was beginning its global television domination, and Dwight Eisenhower was a month into his second year as U.S. president.
Unbeknownst to the world, a tragedy was about to bring a new leader onto the world stage.
King George VI of Britain was found dead in his bed at Sandringham House, his country estate. He died in his sleep after several years of poor health. Despite this, at 56, his death had not been expected.
Nearly 7,000 miles away in Africa, his 25-year-old daughter ascended to the throne and began to mark her place in history as Queen Elizabeth II. Now 70 years later, she becomes the first British monarch to reach their Platinum Jubilee.
As the British commonwealth prepares to mark the occasion, we look back at an extraordinary 70 years of service:
The unexpected queen
Neither Queen Elizabeth II, nor other members of the British Royal Family, anticipated that she would ever become the monarch.
When she was born in 1926, she was third in line to the throne behind her uncle, then-Prince Edward and her father, then known as the Duke of York. At the time, Edward was 32 and expected to eventually marry and have his own heirs, knocking Elizabeth down the line of succession. Eleven months after Edward ascended the throne in 1936, he caused a crisis by announcing he would abdicate the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
Within less than a year, Elizabeth went from third to first in line to the throne. She and her family moved into Buckingham Palace and her father stabilized the monarchy and the royal family for the next 16 years. Then-Princess Elizabeth spent her formative years being educated at home with her younger sister Princess Margaret.
In 1947, she married her husband, Philip, in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. By 1952, the young couple had two children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne. Princes Andrew and Edward would follow in 1960 and 1964, respectively.
Due to George VI’s health, Elizabeth and Philip were asked to step in for multiple engagements, including a tour of Australia and New Zealand, by way of Kenya. It was in the African nation that both Elizabeth and Philip learned their lives had changed.
A participant of history
Now 95, Elizabeth has seen up close what has been and will be written about in the history books.
She is both the longest-reigning British monarch and the longest-serving female head of state in history. She is just the sixth female to ascend to the British throne. In September 2015, she surpassed the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who ruled for 63 years, seven months.
In her reign, Elizabeth has had 14 British Prime Ministers. She has met with 13 out of the last 14 U.S. presidents. Seven Catholic popes have served in their post in the last 70 years.
Elizabeth has seen men walk on the moon, the fall of the Berlin Wall and apartheid in South Africa, and all sizes of worldwide successes and tragedies.
A family affair
Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married for over 73 years before his death in 2021. From their four children, they had eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Elizabeth remained close with both her mother and sister until their deaths in 2002, just as Elizabeth marked her Golden Jubilee.
Twenty years later, she is one of the few remaining links to the past.
A historic celebration
Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee itself will include a variety of public events and community activities, as well as “national moments of reflection” on the Queen’s 70 years of service.
The monarch’s private estates – including Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle – will also join in with Jubilee themed events.
One of the initiatives due to take place as part of the celebrations is known as the “Platinum Pudding” celebration – a nationwide baking competition seeking out a new dessert dedicated to the Queen. UK residents 8 and over will be invited to create a recipe and the finalists will be judged by a panel including famed baker Mary Berry, Monica Galetti and the Buckingham Palace head chef Mark Flanagan.
The winning recipe will then be made available to the public ahead of the Jubilee Weekend.
Other events planned to mark the occasion include the “BBC Platinum Party at the Palace” – a live concert which promises to bring together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars to celebrate significant moments from the Queen’s reign.
On Thursday June 2, more than 1,500 towns, villages and cities throughout the UK and its overseas territories will light a beacon to mark the Jubilee. The capitals of Commonwealth countries will also light beacons.
The Jubilee Weekend celebrations will also see “Big Jubilee Lunches” take place across Britain, including flagship events in London and at Cornwall’s Eden Project – where the idea for the lunches originated.
A Platinum Jubilee Pageant will also be held, in which artistic performers, dancers, musicians, military personnel, key workers and volunteers will unite to tell the story of the Queen’s reign in a festival of creativity. It will take place in London and will include street arts, theater, music, circus, costumes, and visual technology.
This pageant will involve a “River of Hope” section that will comprise 200 silk flags that will process down The Mall – the road in London that leads to Buckingham Palace – like a river. School children are invited to create a picture of their hopes and aspirations for the planet over the next 70 years.
The artwork for the flags will be focused on climate change and incorporate the children’s messages for the future.
The pageant will take place on June 5, the last day of the Platinum Jubilee Weekend celebrations, as the events marking the monarch’s historic 70-year reign draw to a close.
CNN contributed to this report.
