Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953. (file)
London:
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday overtook Thailand’s king to become the world’s second-longest-reigning monarch in history, behind Louis XIV of France.
Britain is celebrating the 96-year-old Queen’s Platinum Jubilee to mark 70 years of service to the nation and grand events took place over the past weekend.
Now he has overtaken Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned 70 years and 126 days between 1927 and 2016 to set another record. Louis XIV of France remains the longest-reigning monarch, ruling for 72 years and 110 days from 1643 to 1715.
Crowned in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-serving British monarch in September 2015, surpassing her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.
After four days of royal parades, street parties, pageantries and other events across Britain and the Commonwealth to mark the Platinum Jubilee milestone, the monarch thanked the nation in a letter, saying they were “humbled and deeply touched”. and that “this new sense of solidarity will be felt for many years to come”.
The letter reads, “When it comes to marking 70 years as our Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first.”
“I am humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my platinum jubilee,” he said.
The Queen has been hit with some age-related mobility problems and has chosen to miss some events, joining her son and heir Prince Charles and second in line Prince William and close ranks of the royal family. She appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the end of the Jubilee pageant as the extended Bank Holiday weekend drew to a close.
Meanwhile, ‘The Sunday Times’ reports that William – the Duke of Cambridge – will celebrate his 40th birthday by moving his family from London to Berkshire next week.
Their eldest son Prince George, 8, and daughter Princess Charlotte, 7 will leave their prep school in London at the end of this term and are expected to attend a school near Windsor, the Queen’s permanent home since the pandemic.
William and Kate’s youngest son, Prince Louis, 4 years old, has become somewhat of a reunion media sensation She is expected to begin her schooling in Windsor after her spirited and playful performance during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the future King and Queen, will be staying at a home at the monarch’s Windsor estate this summer. In time, they are expected to move to a “big house” or castle, as Charles, Prince of Wales, does not plan to spend as much time at Windsor Castle as he is king as queen.
As the newspaper reports, Kensington Palace will remain William and Kate’s London home, where they will have their private and press offices, and they will often visit Anmer Hall, their East England family home in Norfolk.
A friend of William’s was quoted as saying, “They love it there – it’s their happy place.” He plans to make Anmer a permanent base “after the school years”.
It is a gradual sign of transition for the country’s royal family as the next generation prepares for succession.
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