Young Queen Elisabeth II & The end of an era

I wrote this article ten years ago and I think its only right to update and republish it today when Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's and in fact the oldest head of state, has passed away on September 8, 2022 at age 96 at Balmoral (her Scottish estate where she spend much of the summer) after reigning for an astonishing 70 years. 

 

Her health was not that good but she still found the strength to appoint Liz Truss as the new prim-minister of UK two days before her death proving once again she was someone that devoted her life and energy to her people and nation.

 

 “I have to be seen to be believed.”
Queen Elizabeth II

 

Just keep in mind the below text was written a decade ago:

 

I just finished watching this three part documentary called “The Diamond Queen” that  I initially thought (based only on the title) was a science fiction short story about aliens living on a diamond planet in a galaxy far, far away and their fearless leader and queen. Logical assumption or so I thought!!!

Well it proved to be an “inside” piece about Queen Elizabeth II and her 70 years long reign! Still, I kept on watching and realized … she was actually young once. I knew that rationally but as she was quite old for most of my existence on earth I kind of forgot that.

In fact Elisabeth was crowned after the death of her father King George VI, when she was only 25 (in 1953). Can you imagine that?! 

I’m a few years older and I’m barely able to take care of myself! I can’t even commit to a pet! Forget about being in your twenties and having such a powerful sense of duty and being able to take on such a lifelong commitment (and it was just after the Second World War too)!

A few facts I learned about young Elisabeth:

• She and her sister were home-schooled
• When she was a little girl Her Majesty the Queen was known as Lilybet and even the media referred to her as "Princess Lilybet"
• She meet her future husband (Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark) when she was 14 (1940) and they started writing letters to each other.
• During the Second World War she wanted to help somehow and enrolled with the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service where she worked as a driver and loved it
• Her marrying Prince Philip in 1947 was pretty controversial and low key (her mother didn’t approve because some of his relatives were suspected of being Nazi supporters).  One year later she had her first child – Charles.Over the years she had three more kids.

Now, I live in a country that’s been a republic for 70 years and I’ve only read about the time Romania was a monarchy in history books but I still find it fascinating. 

So you’ll understand why I looked up some photos with a young Elisabeth to see for myself and to share with all of you.

 Left -1933 next to her little sister Margaret, Right -1930s King George VI with the queen and princess Elizabeth

 1942 - King George VI and family

July 1947 - Princess Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace during the announcement of her engagement to Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh)

Left - 1947 Princess Elizabeth wedding, Right  - 1953 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at the Queen's Coronation

 Left - 1952 Queen Elizabeth II by Dorothy Wilding, William Hustler and Georgina Hustle, Right- Queen Elizabeth II by Baron

 Iconic photos of the Queen that were frequently reproduced on covers, banknotes, stamps and coins over the last 70 years!

 Left -1953 Queen Elizabeth, Right - 1954 Queen Elizabeth II trip to Australia

 1963 Queen Elizabeth II in uniform

 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have been married 72 years now (he died in April 2021 at 99 years old)

 Photos: 2, 3.

 I hope you enjoy this!