A giant of history. A tireless innovator. Unique in the world. Not only of the monarchy, but also of female power. She who has led the country into modernity. And now, without her, the UK is definitely more fragile

Elizabeth of England, 70 years of reign in 70 portraits Photo Video

The second Elizabethan age is over. With the death of Elizabeth II, a giant of history goes away, a tireless innovator, a unique figure in the panorama not only of world monarchies but also of female power. Without her, the British Crown will be much less bright, the United Kingdom is in danger of falling apart (Scotland is pawing) and the centrality of Great Britain in the international chessboard could undergo a temporary clouding. She, who has led the country from the colonial age to the modern one, has been for over 70 years the point of union and strength of a nation in all the most difficult moments. Because no one like her has sacrificed her life, from a very young age, in the service of others- Photo | video 1 | video 2 | video 3 | video 4

Elizabeth of England, children and grandchildren at her bedside - guard

IT WAS NOT A QUEEN - Queen by chance, Elizabeth. His father, George VI, was not supposed to ascend the throne. His brother, Prince Edward, was the legitimate heir. And in fact he was crowned in 1936 as Edward VIII. But in December of the same year he decided to abdicate, for the sake of the divorced American (who could not marry) Wallis Simpson, leaving the burden of the crown to his stammering and extremely reluctant brother Bertie to sit on the throne. Elizabeth was convinced, as was her queen mother, that it was the stress of that unexpected role of her that killed him in 1952 at the age of 57, opening the throne room to her eldest daughter. Lilibet, as she was called in the family, learned of the death of her beloved father while she was in Kenya, on tour with her husband Philip. It was he who broke the news. Elizabeth was 25 years old.

Elizabeth of England, the longest-lived queen in history: everything you (perhaps) don't know about her - guard

THE BEST MAN IN THE WORLD - Only 5 years earlier she had married 'the best man in the world', as she herself said to her cousin Margaret Rhodes. A love at first sight that had made her fall in love with the handsome Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark as soon as she had met him, only thirteen, at the naval college of Dartmouth in 1939. He was a young man of 18, with a complicated life behind him, a broken family and a nonexistent kingdom. He was born on 10 June 1921 on a kitchen table on the Greek island of Corfu but soon his family was forced to flee and sentenced to exile in France. Philip was raised by his uncle Louis Mountbatten in Great Britain and did not have a penny. At first the union was opposed by the king and queen, but Lilibet was adamant. Either him or nobody. The marriage lasted 73 years until Philip's death in 2021. A tragedy that marked the decline of her Majesty's health. Together they had four children, Carlo, the heir to the throne, Anna, Andrea and Edoardo, mostly raised by court babysitters. Elizabeth was not a good mother, she has always preferred horses and dogs to humans, her only passions. But as a grandmother - of William, Harry, Zara, Peter, Beatrice, Eugenie, Louise and James - she redeemed herself and always closely followed her grandchildren, especially William and Harry after the loss of their mother, Lady Diana.

Historical photos of Elizabeth of England - guard

THE MOST DIFFICULT MOMENT - Diana entered the Queen's life in 1980, just nineteen. Elizabeth immediately fell in love with her and always supported her, even though she refused to intervene and forbid her son Carlo from her to continue seeing Camilla Parker Bowles. Only after the interview with Panorama , in which Diana confessed adultery and spoke of a marriage 'a bit crowded' (she, Carlo and Camilla), the sovereign decided that it was time for a divorce. And so she wrote that letter: 'My dearest Diana,' it began like this, 'My dearest Diana,' in a minute and neat handwriting, and ended with the usual phrase: 'With love from Mama.' The request was final: Diana and Carlo had to divorce. But the most difficult moment for Elizabeth and the monarchy came the day after Lady Di's death, on August 31, 1997. William was 15 and Harry 13, the first thought was for them. As the world mourned the People's Princess and London was transformed into a giant altar of flowers, prayers and cards, the Queen sought to protect her grandchildren. When the press began to criticize her for her absence she didn't care. William and Harry were safe there in Scotland. When the newspapers attacked her because the Union Jack flag was not flying at half mast over Buckingham Palace, Elizabeth was incredulous. Tradition did not allow it. The world reacted to Diana's disappearance and only silence came from the royal family. Convincing the queen to leave Balmoral was a daring undertaking. Her private secretaries, Robert Fellowes and Robin Janvrin, clashed with her and Philip heavily. Elizabeth did not want to give up. But all of her advisers were against her. On the morning of the fourth day after Diana's death, the sovereign changed her attitude. As a pragmatist as she is, she understood that she would have to adapt to the changing situation and times. She ordered a mass in which Diana's name would be pronounced and honored, and arranged for the return to London with Philip and her grandchildren. That evening she gave a speech in Diana's honor and on the day of her funeral, as the coffin passed, she bowed conspicuously. The queen never bows except to the Cenotaph, the war memorial. After that demonstration of affection and esteem for Diana, the anger and criticism of newspapers and subjects subsided. The monarchy was safe, but a little less bright.

Queen Elizabeth's family tree - guard

MANY FIRST TIMES - The first queen capable of driving, the only one to obtain a qualification as a mechanic and one of the first career women of the last century. Beyond the crown there is much more. Elizabeth II has not only become Britain's longest-lived monarch, but during her extraordinary 70 years of her reign she has broken many other records, she has demolished conventions, ringed first times. By ferrying the monarchy from the days of the British Empire to the Commonwealth, shaping it, making it always current and transforming it into a global brand. Never, like her, has managed to embody the change of times, maintaining their privacy while living the most public existence imaginable. Merit of absolute self-denial to the cause. She has always protected the institution even to the detriment of her family, she has never indulged herself, apart from dogs and horses, and she has kept away from the scandals that have instead clouded her children.

Queen Elizabeth and all her proverbial hats - laws | Photo | video

A REVOLUTIONARY - But also thanks to its ability to keep one foot in tradition and one in the future. While representing a conservative institution, and for many, anachronistic, Elizabeth was in her own way a revolutionary. It was she who wanted the change of the Salic law for the succession to the throne, creating a monarchy of equal opportunities. Before, the norm preferred male heirs to females, even if born for seconds. She also historic the signing of her on a law of the Commonwealth charter in support of equal rights and against discrimination of gays. She took an extraordinary position because she, as sovereign of all, she was forbidden to express political views or any other kind. But gestures were enough for her. She was the first British sovereign to visit the Republic of Ireland and to shake hands with a former commander of the IRA, the paramilitary organization of Northern Irish separatists, guilty of several attacks, including the one in which Lord Mountbatten, his favorite cousin, was killed. her. But not only. Elizabeth was also the first to pay taxes to the British government and the first to open Buckingham Palace and other residences to the public, making the royal family more accessible and kicking off the building of the British monarchy brand. With lots of souvenirs sold all over the world, from tea placemats to figurines of her beloved corgi dogs.

Elizabeth of England, the latest commitment was the appointment of the new prime minister Liz Truss - guard

POPULAR BECAUSE MODERN - One of the secrets of its popularity is precisely this unexpected modernity: «The queen knew how to make herself current. She was always in step with the times, which is why, even today, the English monarchy has a relevant place in the world, ”said the writer Andrew Morton, the famous author of the biography of Lady Diana. In 2007 Elisabetta had already opened an all-royal channel on YouTube. In 2010 she opened the Flickr page, then she switched to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And ten years ago she made her Christmas wishes in 3D. Still, she has always kept a low profile. By character. She has always been shy, like her father George VI, she has rarely had delusions of grandeur and has often rejected her glitz and ostentatious luxury. Of her Qualities appreciated by the subjects who loved her much more than her children. Because Elisabetta has always been there. With her ability to unite the country in the most difficult times, from World War II to Covid. 'We will come back to hug each other,' she had told the British in the darkest period of the pandemic. And everyone had clung to her words.

Elizabeth of England and Kate Middleton, find the differences ... if you can- guard

THE YEARS OF DUSK - They weren't easy. With the third son Andrea accused of rape and his nephew Harry who, with his wife Meghan Markle, has chosen to leave the family and criticize it from afar at every possible opportunity. She, as always, thought only of preserving the monarchy, driving them both out of the family, no matter how painful it was. The appointment of Camilla queen consort was sounded as the last act of the handover. Elizabeth knew that the throne was safe and that she would have a great future in the hands of Charles, first, and then of William. Her mission was accomplished.

Source: oggi.it