Yesterday, September 8th, Queen Elizabeth II – the UK’s longest-serving monarch, was announced dead at Balmoral, after reigning for 70 years. Buckingham Palace said the queen, who was 96, died peacefully at Balmoral Castle, her estate in the Scottish Highlands. Her son immediately became Britain’s new monarch, King Charles III. Here are eight things we know about the late monarch.
Elizabeth II was Crowned Queen at 25
The late queen’s father, king George VI died at the age of 56 on February 6, 1952, while Elizabeth was visiting Kenya with her husband, Prince Philip. Queen Elizabeth II was later crowned at Westminster Abbey in central London on June 2, 1953 at the age of 25.
The Queen Was the Longest-Serving Monarch in History
Queen Elizabeth II’s ruled for 70 years and seven months, which is the longest reign in the history of the British monarchy.
She Had Four Children
The late queen had four children including King Charles III, Prince Andrew, Duke of York; Ann, Princess Royal; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
Queen Elizabeth II Didn’t Attend a Formal School
Queen Elizabeth II was educated at home alongside her only sister and sibling, Princess Margaret who was born in 1930. Both of them were educated under the supervision of their mother and their governess, Marion Crawford. Their education focused on topics around history, language, literature, and music.
Queen Elizabeth Was Head of Seven Independent Commonwealth Countries After her Coronation
The then 25-year-old Queen Elizabeth II became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries after her coronation. These countries included the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
Queen Elizabeth II Toured More Countries in History
The late queen holds the historic record for the most countries visited by an individual monarch. In her lifetime, she visited more than 120 countries including Nigeria, on six continents.
Queen Elizabeth II was the First British Monarch to Visit the Republic of Ireland
The late queen Elizabeth visited the Republic of Ireland in 2011, making her the first British monarch to visit the country since its independence in 1922.
Queen Elizabeth II led the 54 Commonwealth Nations
The queen was the head of the 54 Commonwealth nations before her demise. Nigeria is also part of the commonwealth nations. The late queen’s father, King George VI, was the first monarch to be formally decorated as Head of the Commonwealth.
