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| Billie Silvey |
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| June 2011 |
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| The Coronation of Elizabeth |
| On June 2, 1953, Princess Elizabeth was crowned queen of England. I was 11 at the time, ready to start 5th grade. As far as I know, only one person from my small hometown of Happy, Texas, attended the coronation. When she got back, she invited me to her house to see her treasure trove of souvenirs— clippings, pictures and pamphlets. They were all at my disposal so long as I organized them into a report for my class in school that fall. I could even cut out pictures to illustrate the report. In those pre-Internet days, it was the only way to illustrate something. I don’t know why she chose me. Maybe it was because I was one of just a few girls in my class who lived in town and could walk over and pick things up. Maybe it was because I was tiny and a bit shy and she wanted to encourage me. Maybe it was because my father owned the newspaper, and most of the people in town knew I sometimes wrote articles for it. I remember reading through the veritable mound of coronation souvenirs, trying to choose the important details, looking over the photos to select just the right ones. I remember the jeweled crown and the fine fabrics, but mostly I remember how tiny the new queen looked and how heavy the crown looked on her head. Being a small child myself, and often overwhelmed by my own responsibilities, I sympathized. I’ve continued to sympathize over the years as British public opinion shifted from favor to disfavor with the various changes in the queen’s life and the lives of her family. It happens with our presidents—their acceptance rate rises and falls. But unlike a president, a queen never has an election. She swears an oath to her people, and they swear an oath to her. It’s a little like marriage that way. Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born April 21, 1926. Her parents were the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, later known as the Queen Mother. She was educated at home by her mother, a governess, and private tutors. During World War II, it was suggested that she and her sister be moved to Canada for their safety. Their mother refused to send the girls away alone, and she knew her husband wouldn’t leave. The royal family remained in England through the Blitz. In 1940, Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast during the BBC Children’s Hour. Speaking to children who had been evacuated, she assured them that all would be well. In 1945, at the age of 19, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service and trained as a driver and mechanic. She is the last surviving head of state to serve in uniform during World War II. She met her future husband, Prince Philip, when she was 8 and again when she was 13. They exchanged letters for a number of years until they married in 1947. They had three sons and a daughter. When her father’s health declined, Elizabeth stood in for him at public events. He died in 1952 while Elizabeth and Philip were touring Australia and New Zealand. Elizabeth succeeded her father in a televised coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey that was viewed by millions. When she became queen, Britain had a number of dominions and dependencies, but during the 50s and 60s, many achieved independence. The British Empire evolved into the Commonwealth of Nations. The 70s and 80s were marked by worldwide travels, including a trip to the U.S. for the 400th anniversary celebration of the founding of Jamestown. The 90s were a decade of problems for the royal family, including questions of succession, a fire at Windsor Castle, two very public divorces and her daughter-in-law Diana’s death in a car crash. Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years as queen, was held in 2002, not long after the death of her mother and sister. There was a three-day celebration in London. She was the first monarch to attain the milestone since Queen Victoria. She celebrated her 80th birthday in 2006, and the next year, she and Prince Philip marked their 60th wedding anniversary, the longest marriage of any British monarch. Preparations currently are being made for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. |
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| Elizabeth with her parents, grandmother and younger sister Margaret (above). The royal couple touring London after the Blitz (below). |