Becoming the Queen of the United Kingdom on 6th February 1952, and coronated on 2nd June 1953, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, will officially become the longest reigning monarch in Britain on Wednesday 9th September 2015, overtaking Queen Victoria, her great-grandmother, to set a new record.
On 9th September, the Queen would have surpassed Queen Victoria's record of 63 years and 217 days. She would have spent a total of 23,226 days as the reigning monarch, on 9th September.
Born as Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21st April 1926, to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Prince Albert, Duke of York, who later became King George VI.
Looking back at the celebrations of the Queen's Coronation in 1953, no doubt, it was no small affair. It was for the first time that the ceremony, which took place in Westminster Abbey, was broadcast on television to a global audience. It is said that a staggering 27 million or more Britons had gathered around theirs or their neighbours' television to watch a never-seen before coronation ceremony. Televising the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was idea that was outrightly rejected initially by Buckingham Palace, as well as the Prime Minister of Britain during that era, Winston Churchill. However, due to the unanimous public opinion, they were forced to changed their decision.
Many Britons, as well as admirers of the Queen will be rejoicing this great achievement. However, the Queen herself has no intention of celebrating on 9th September, as she does not find this to be respectful towards the late Queen Victoria. As quoted in the Daily Mail newspaper, one source revealed, “The Queen has no intention of celebrating on the actual day. She would see that as very disrespectful to one of her ancestors.”
However, Royal aides has given an indication that bigger celebrations are to take place in next June, when the Queen will be celebrating her 90th birthday. A senior aide expressed, “We are not aware of any private plans [to celebrate on 9th September], the Queen made it clear she wanted no fuss.”
There was, however, a time where the British empire faced a downfall. It is said that between 1945 and 1965, the number of colonial people ruled by the British monarch decreased from 700 million to five million, a significant decline which demonstrated the downturn of power.
Queen Elizabeth II became the sixth female monarch since the Norman conquest and although she has become the longest reigning monarch in Britain, ruling for 63 years running strongly, she is not the longest reigning monarch globally. Sobhuza II of Swaziland had ruled for 82 years, while in Europe, Sun King Louis XIV reigned in France for a strong 72 years and three months.
Yet, it is a matter of pride for those living in the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II's reign is arguably instrumental in creating a multiethnic society, where people from different cultures, countries and religions live in cohesion in one nation, being British first and then representing their cultures and religions.
Asian Voice wishes Her Majesty for her outstanding achievement and her selfless contribution to the country.
