The day of destiny

It is a moment of history that was well worth the wait.  For only the second time in royal history, four generations of monarchs have posed together.  It's been 119 years since we saw a queen regnant with the three men who will succeed her in the same photograph.  Victoria set the pace and now her great, great granddaughter has emulated her.  One queen regnant, three kings in waiting and one more day of destiny.

Queen Elizabeth II with her successors on October 23rd 2013 at St James' Palace, London

 

When Victoria sat down at the Royal Lodge in Windsor on July 16th 1894 for that first historic photograph of four generations of monarchs together, she thought she held in her arms the guarantee of her dynasty.  In fact, that came a year later when she cradled the future George VI on the day of his baptism.  But the hopes and the dreams were there.  Like Elizabeth II, Victoria was never expected to be queen on the day of her own christening but both have given longevity and vitality to an institution that they were never meant to lead.  From carefree little princesses to queens to mothers to great grandmothers, their paths have taken them to the same destiny.  To leave the crown they were never meant to wear with three generations ready to inherit it.

Queen Victoria with her successors on July 16th 1894 at the Royal Lodge, Windsor