Elizabeth Alexandra Mary became Monarch in the early hours of February 6th 1952 when her beloved father, King George VI, passed away in his sleep at Sandringham. His devoted daughter was thousands of miles away in Kenya, preparing for a royal tour when his Crown passed to her. She was 26 years old and back home, some questioned whether this princess turned Queen was ready for the role.
They needn't have worried. From the moment she walked down the steps of the plane that brought her back, to be greeted by her Prime Minister, Elizabeth II was the poised and polished Sovereign. She is now the longest ruling Monarch in British history and not just because of good health. For a long reign must be a successful one as well and the Queen has managed to keep her popularity and her authority through changing generations.
She enters the 70th year of her reign with her succession secure and her Royal Family consolidated. In the next twelve months unfold, the House of Windsor will prepare for celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee which will see four days of events in the summer of 2022. And at the centre is the princess who became one of Europe's most successful ever rulers, Elizabeth II, whose reign began 69 years ago today.
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