Queen Elizabeth II | 1926-2022
We offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Millions across the country will mourn the loss of The Queen who passed away 8 September 2022.
The Queen has ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history, becoming a much loved and respected figure across the globe. Her death brings the end of a 70-year tenure, during which she has served as a beacon of stability throughout some of the most tumultuous of times.
Elizabeth was the elder daughter of Prince Albert duke of York, and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. As the child of a younger son of King George V, the young Elizabeth had little prospect of acceding to the throne until her uncle, Edward VIII , abdicated in her father’s favour on December 11, 1936, at which time her father became King George VI and she became heir presumptive.
During World War II she and her sister, Princess Margaret Rose, spent much of their time safely away from the London blitz and separated from their parents, living mostly at Balmoral Castle in Scotland and at the Royal Lodge, Windsor, and Windsor Castle.
Early in 1947, Princess Elizabeth went with the king and queen to South Africa. After her return, there was an announcement of her betrothal to her distant cousin Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. The marriage took place in Westminster Abbey in 1947 and they went on to have four children.
Elizabeth became Queen in 1952, following the death of her father; her coronation was later held at Westminster Abbey in June 1953. There followed a 70-year path of building a modern monarchy which was celebrated at the “Platinum Jubilee" earlier this year; a four-day national holiday that included the Trooping the Colour ceremony and a spectacular concert at Buckingham Palace, and a public pageant featuring street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival, and costume to honour the queen’s reign.
Whilst her financial and property holdings have made her one of the world’s richest women, she was known to favour simplicity and valued learning and a deep understanding of both culture and politics. Privately, she was a family beacon, a dog lover and a keen horsewoman, keeping horses sourced from all around the world.
Elizabeth, a world-known state leader, a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother, her spirit will for sure live on.
With love,
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