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HERSUBJECTSSALUTETHEIRNEWQUEENQueenElizabethIIreturnshometoBuckinghamPalaceafterherJune2,1953,coronation.TheBritishgovernmentspent$4.5milliononthe

ceremonies.

QUEENELIZABETHAT90THESTORYOFBRITAIN’SLONGESTREIGNINGMONARCH

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SHARINGWISDOMONHERDIAMONDJUBILEE“Theexperienceofvenerableoldagecanbeamightyguidebutnotaprerequisiteforsuccessinpublicoffice,”thequeen(here,atBuckingham

PalaceonJune4,2012)toldParliament.

CONTENTS

IntroductionBySimonPerry

AChildofEnglandTheWarYears

TheLoveofHerLifeRulingGreatBritain

WindsorFamilyValuesCaninesandEquinesAnnusHorribilis

TheRoyalRedCarpetTheQueenToday

FRONTCOVER:QUEENELIZABETH,JULY16,2015.PHOTOGRAPHBYJAMESWHATLING/SPLASHNEWS/CORBIS

PHOTOGRAPHFROMREUTERS/CORBIS

WHENAPRINCESSBECAMEQUEENOFGREATBRITAINSt.Edward’sCrown,madeofgold,sapphires,andotherpreciousstonesin1661,wasplaceduponElizabeth’sheadonJune2,1953.

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Sheworethiscoronationglove.

INTRODUCTION

AQUEENFORALLTIMESBYSIMONPERRY

ASUBTLEDISPLAYOFHERLOVEFORSCOTLANDTheScottishNationalGallerycommissionedthisportrait,takeninaprivatestudyatBuckinghamPalacein2014.Thequeen’sgold

anddiamondbroochdepictsthethistle,Scotland’snationalemblem.

Forthoseofuswhohavecoveredmanyoftheseevents,itwasatypicalroyalengagement.Ontheblustery,grayafternoonofSeptember9,2015,inTweedbank,Scotland,about1,000people,includingschoolchildrenwavingflagsandabrassbandplayingPharrellWilliams’s“Happy,”gatheredtowatchthe89-year-oldQueenElizabethIIofficiallyopenthenew$500millionScottishBordersRailwaylineconnectingEdinburghwithsmallercommutertownstothesouth.September9,2015,wasalsothedayElizabetheclipsedQueenVictoria’s63-year,seven-monthrecordtobecomeBritain’slongestreigningmonarch.Thequeenandherstaffhadbeendownplayingtheoccasionasjustanothermilestoneinalonglistofachievements.“Businessasusual,”ishowtheyputit.Therestoftheworldbeggedtodiffer—morethan63yearsonthethrone

Therestoftheworldbeggedtodiffer—morethan63yearsonthethroneshouldnotbetakenlightly.Butthequeenwashavingnoneofit.“Inevitably,alonglifecanpassbymanymilestones;myownisnoexception,”shetoldthecrowd.Andnow,shesaid,shewouldturntothe“businessathand”andformallydeclarethenewrailwaylineopen.Thattaskaccomplished,shereturnedtoScotland’sBalmoralCastle,aroyalfamilyresidencesince1852,foraquietdinnerwithhergrandsonPrinceWilliamandhiswife,theDuchessofCambridge.Perhaps—afternationwidecelebrationsofhercoronationonJune2,1953;herSilver,Golden,andDiamondJubilees;thediamondanniversaryofhermarriagetoPrincePhilip,94,whostoodbyhersideinTweedbankthatday—Elizabethfeltentitledtokeepatleastoneturningpointinherliferelativelyundertheradar.Ifitwerenotforaquirkofhistoricalfate,herlifewouldhavebeenoneofEdwardiangrandeur,anextensionofherchildhoodspentpaddlinginstreams,walkingherdogs,ridingherhorses.ButwhenheruncleKingEdwardVIIIgaveupthethronetomarryacommoner,herfatherbecameKingGeorgeVI,andElizabethbecamethedirectheirtothethrone.Herstoicnatureanddeterminationexceededtheexpectationsofmany.Thearrayofworldleadersshehasmetandinfluencedbogglesthemind.Herfirstprimeministerwasamanmorethantwiceherage,WinstonChurchill;11moreprimeministersfollowed.Some,suchasHaroldMacmillan,becamefavorites.Others,suchasMargaretThatcher,didnot.ElizabethhasreignedduringthetermsofadozenAmericanpresidents,fromHarryTrumantoBarackObama.Shehasofficiallyhostedmorethan110statevisitsfromleadersfromaroundtheglobe.TheBritishEmpireonwhichthesunneversetmaynotexisttoday,buttheUnitedKingdomisstillpartofthegroupof16nations,includingCanada,Australia,andNewZealand,thatcallherqueen,andsheistheheadoftheBritishCommonwealthwhichincludesanother37countries,includingIndiaandSouthAfrica.FromherhomeinBuckinghamPalace,sheisanonpoliticalbeaconintimesofnationalcelebrationsornationaltragedies.HerannualChristmasmessagesofferinspirationtohersubjects;herpublicappearancesoftenencourageasmile.Everysummer,shehostsatleastthreegardenpartiesatthepalace,invitingpeoplefromallwalksoflife(asmanyas30,000attend)toenjoytea,cakes,andastrollthroughthegrounds.Asshepreparesforher90thbirthday,sheismorebelovedthanever.Ithasnotalwaysbeeneasy,especiallyinherpersonallife.

Ithasnotalwaysbeeneasy,especiallyinherpersonallife.Thesorrowsareclear.ThemarriagesofherchildrenCharles,Anne,andAndrewfellapart(althoughhersonEdwardremainshappilywedtoformerpublicistSophieRhys-Jones).WhenCharles’sex,Diana,PrincessofWales,diedinanautomobilecrashinParisin1997,thepublicdisapprovedoftheroyalfamily’sinitialreluctancetoshowanysignsofgrief.ElizabethovercamethatdisapprovalbytouringthefloraltributestoDianaplacedatthegatesofBuckinghamPalaceandaddressingthenationontheeveofDiana’sfuneral.

“Inevitably,alonglifecanpassbymanymilestones;myownisnoexception.”

—QUEENELIZABETH

In2002hersister,Margaret,passedaway;amonthandahalflater,hermother,Elizabeth,diedaswell.Asthenationmournedthedoubleloss,therewasanotedincreaseinaffectionforthesurvivingQueen.Elizabeth’sownattitudesweresoftening,too.SheacceptedCamillaParkerBowlesintoherfamilyasPrinceCharles’ssecondwifein2005;theysharealoveofhorsesaswellasaloveof

Charles’ssecondwifein2005;theysharealoveofhorsesaswellasaloveofCharles.AndtheweddingofhergrandsonWilliamtothemiddle-classKateMiddletoninApril2011introducedanewenergytothefamily,aswellasstrengtheningthelineofsuccession.WiththearrivalofPrinceGeorgein2013andPrincessCharlottein2015—bringinghertallyofgreat-grandchildrentofive—sherestsassuredofthefutureoftheHouseofWindsor.Butassheentersher10thdecade,ageisfinallycatchingupwithher.Shestillattendsmorethan300publicengagementsayear,buttheappearancesaretailoredaccordingly,withlesswalkingabout.SowhatmakesElizabethspecial?PerhapshergrandsonPrinceWilliamputitbestintheprefacehewrotetoarecentbiographyofthequeen,ElizabethII:TheSteadfast,byLordHurd:“Afteralmost90years,wefindourselvesinaworldthathaschangeddramatically,almostbeyondrecognitiontotheworldthatTheQueenwasborninto,butwheretheroleofcharity,family,dutyandcompassionperseveres.IthinkIspeakformygenerationwhenIsaythattheexampleandcontinuityprovidedbyTheQueenisnotonlyveryrareamongleadersbutagreatsourceofprideandreassurance...TheQueen’skindnessandsenseofhumour,herinnatesenseofcalmandperspective,andherloveoffamilyandhomeareallattributesIexperiencefirst-hand...IamprivilegedtohaveTheQueenasamodelforalifeofservicetothepublic.”Highpraiseindeed.Thekindofwordsthequeenherselfmightdismissasunnecessary,likeonthatdayinTweedbank,whenshepreferredtogetdowntoherdutiesinsteadofruminatingontherecord-breakinglengthofherreign.Thismuchisknown.Elizabethwillturn90onApril21,2016.Andshewilltakeitinstride.“Iamlookingforwardtoabusy2016,”shetoldhersubjectsatthecloseoflastyear,“thoughIhavebeenwarnedImayhave‘HappyBirthday’sungtomemorethanonceortwice.”SimonPerrycoverstheBritishroyalfamilyforPeoplemagazine.

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OCANADA!FORELIZABETH,IT’SALLINADAY’SWORKThequeenofficiallyinspectedCanada’srefurbishedLondonofficesonTrafalgarSquareonFebruary19,2015.Hergrandfather,

KingGeorgeV,openedthebuildingin1925.

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AFORMALPORTRAITATTHEQUEEN’SBALMORALESTATETheunpredictableScottishweathercooperatedlongenoughforElizabethtoposebyaremotestreamcalledtheGelderBurninAugust2009.Sheworeanemerald-coveredtiaraonceownedbytheauntofthelastRussianczar,

NicholasII,andlatersoldtoElizabeth’sgrandmotherQueenMary.

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OPENINGDAYATWESTMINSTERElizabeth,withPrincePhilipbyherside,presidesovertheStateOpeningofParliamentonMay27,2015.Pertradition,shedeliveredaspeechwrittenandgiventoherbythemajorityConservativepartyministers,declaring“mygovernmentwilllegislateinthe

interestsofeveryoneinourcountry.”

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AROYALROMANCE,STILLGOINGSTRONGInNovember2007,PhilipandElizabethvisitedBroadlands,theGeorgianmansionwheretheyspenttheirNovember20,1947,weddingnight.ThehousehadbelongedtoPhilip’suncleEarlMountbattenofBurma.ElizabethisthefirstBritish

monarchtoreachadiamondweddinganniversary.

ACHILDOFENGLAND

“Shehasanairofauthorityandreflectivenessastonishinginaninfant.”

—WINSTONCHURCHILL

REXSHUTTERSTOCKSETTINGFASHIONTRENDSATAVERYEARLYAGEYoungPrincessElizabeth(posing,in1929withherparents,ElizabethandAlbert,theDuchessandDukeofYork)inspiredmanyasa

child.Whenwordspreadthatshefavoredparticulargarmentsandaccessories,saidasalespersonat

H.GordonSelfridge’sfameddepartmentstoreinLondon,“everymother,almost,wantstobuyalittleyellowfrockoraprimrosebonnetlikePrincessElizabeth’s.”

AtWindsorCastle,wheretheking-emperor,HisMajestyGeorgeV,wasawakenedfromsleepintheweehours...attheCoachandHorsespub,wherecrowdsgatheredinsideandspilledoutintotherainonBrutonStreet,inMayfair,theLondondistrictwhereGeorge’sdaughter-in-lawElizabethlabored...andinallcornersoftherealm:Thebirthbycesareansectionofachildat2:40a.m.,April21,1926,wascheeredandtoasted—withteaatWindsor,aleandwhiskyinthepubsandinthestreets.ElizabethAlexandraMaryWindsor,bornthirdintheroyallineofsuccession,wouldgrowupamidapompandsplendorthatwouldmakethedowagersofDowntonandallotherprincessesofmythseemdeprivedincomparison.Butcauldronsofchangewerealsoabubbleasthenewborn’sfirstgurgleandyawnwerewitnessedbyhomesecretarySirWilliam“Jix”Joynson-Hicks,summonedtohermother’sbedsidetoconfirmthebirthofanheirtothethrone.HergrandfatherthebelovedbutailingKingGeorgewouldlivejust10yearslonger.Herfather,PrinceAlbert,“Bertie”tofriendsandfamily—immortalized,alongwithhischronicstammer,inTheKing’sSpeech—wasthesecondsonofthereigningmonarch.Hisolderbrother,David,knownbyhisroyalappellationEdwardofWales,wasfirstinlinetothethrone.Hewasalsosingle,childless,andalreadyrumoredtohavelittleinterestininheritinghisfather’scrownandthedutiesthatwentwithit.Theearlylifeoftheblonde,blue-eyedPrincessElizabethwaschronicledwithzealbytheBritishpress,celebratedthroughouttheEmpire—andwatchedwithamixofbemusementandwonderintheformerAmericancolonies.“ThewaterwasfromtheRiverJordan,”TimemagazinereportedoftheelaboratechristeningpageantrystagedintheprivatechapelatBuckinghamPalace.FleetStreetsoonrechristenedher,andcrowdscranedforaglimpseofBabyBettyinherpramorpeepingfromawindowinBuckinghamPalace,her“royalface,small,roundandrosy,”accordingtoTime,asshesuckedherthumb.Daysafterherappearanceatthepalacewindow,BritonslearnedthecauseoftheroyalthumbsuckingwhenitwasreportedwithsomefanfarethatBabyBettyhadcutherfirsttooth.

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ANDTHEYCALLEDITCORGILOVEElizabeth’sfascinationwithallthingscorgibeganwhenshespottedthelittlecrittersatthehomeoftheMarquessofBath.Soonshewasgivenafaithful

companion(picturedabovewiththeprincessin1936)byherfather,theDukeofYork.ShecalledhimDookie—thedog,notherdad—andcontinuestoowncorgistothisday.

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Elizabethasabridesmaidattheweddingofheruncle,theDukeofKent,in1934.

Specialguests,likeSirJamesMatthewBarrie,creatorofPeterPan,wereallowedtotiptoeintohernurseryforalookattheroyalheiraslumber.TimereportedthatBarriehadapproachedQueenMarywitharequesttoseeheryear-oldgranddaughterwhileheattendedateaatBuckinghamPalace.ShepointedhimtothedoorbehindwhichElizabethlaysleeping,anightnursebyherside.AsBarriepeeredatthecrib,“shestirredinhersleep,wakenedforaninstantandlookedsleepy-eyedatthesmilingmaninthin-rimmedglasses,stiffwhitecollar,andimpeccablefrockcoatwhostood,stillatiptoe,besidehercrib.Then,withasmallpinkyawn,HerRoyalHighnessdismissedSirJames.”FellowauthorandstatesmanSirWinstonChurchillfirstmetElizabethatBalmoralCastlein1928,whenshewastwo,andtoldhiswifeshewas“acharacter.”Churchillproclaimedthathesawintheweelass“anairofauthorityandreflectivenessastonishinginaninfant.”Mostoftherestoftheroyals-watchingworldcametoknowalivelyandprecocioustotwhobyagetwowastrainedbytime-honoredcookierewardmethodstostandstill,wavetirelesslyathergrandfather’sthrongingsubjects,andholdherbladderforlongstretchesinpublic.Announcementofherfavoritecolorprecipitatedsustainedrunsonyellowfrocksandbonnetsattheyoungones’departmentatH.GordonSelfridge’s.AcrossthepondinNewYork,thesmartestshopssoldimported“PrincessElizabethPrams”for$250.Nooneinalltherealmwasmoresmittenwiththelittlegirlthanitsmonarch,whogavehertheplaceofhonoronhislapastheyrodethroughthestreetsofLondoninhisroyalstretchDaimler.“Nooneelseexceptthequeenridesoutsooftenwiththeking,”Timereported.Whentheking-emperortookill,hisgranddaughter,knownamongtheroyalsandtheirintimatesas“Lilibet,”fromherownpronunciationofhername,beggedhermother,“LilibetseeGran’patoday?”No,camethereply.“LilibetcannotseeGwampaanymore.Gwampahasbadcold.”Tothereliefofhissubjectsonprematuredeathwatchin1929,thekingreturnedtoLondonafteralongconvalescence.“Stillwananddroop-shouldered”butinstantlyrestoredashis“unspoileddarling,”Lilibet,greetedhimatKing’sCrossStationwith“ajoyoushop-skip-and-jump,”Timewrote,HisMajestylookedallatonceyounger,“firmofstepandwithanewvitalityofmovement”ashefollowedhertothewaitingDaimler.“‘Comealong,G’anpa!’pipedshe.”Left,notungladly,outofthespotlightwasLilibet’sfather,theeverreticentinpublic,self-deprecatingBertie,whooncetoldreporters,“MychiefclaimtofameseemstobethatIamthefatherofPrincessElizabeth.”

seemstobethatIamthefatherofPrincessElizabeth.”Herreignasonlychildendedatagefourin1930withthebirthofhersister,MargaretRose,atGlamisCastleinScotland,theirmother’sancestralhome.Uponhearingthenewsofthebirth,“BigSisterBettydemandedtoseethenewbaby,”Timereported.“Sheannouncedlaterthatshepreferredittoallherotherpets:herchowdog,hercanary,herShetlandponyJessie,presentfromGranddaddyGeorgeV.”

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SISTERHOODISPOWERFUL...ANDFUNThat’samischievousPrincessElizabethplayingagameoftug-of-warwithasprigofheatherattheAbergeldieCastleFeteinScotlandonJune9,1933.Hersister,Margaret,busiesherselfwiththetent’sguyropes.Theprincessessoldwhiteheatherto

benefittheCrathieChurchatthegardenfair.

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ThesistersplayattheLittleHouse,aminiaturecottageinBerkshire,England,givenasapresentfromthepeopleofWalesforElizabeth’ssixthbirthday.

Buttheirfather,Bertie—whoasaboywashimselftreatedmoreasapetthanasiblingtohisbrotherEdward,PrinceofWales,heirtotheirfather’sthrone—wasdeterminedthathisdaughterswouldgrowupasequals.Indeed,accordingtoElizabeth’sbiographerRolandFlamini,“thetwoprincesseswereraisedalmostastwins,sharingthesamenursery,followingthesameroutine,andoftenwearingidenticalclothes.”Thegirlsrompedtogetheronthepalacegroundsandroyalcountryestates,playedwiththeirterrierpuppiesandcorgis(Elizabeth’slifelongfavorite),stabled,caredfor,andlearnedtotrainaroyalsuccessionofpetponies,andsharedthesamenanniesandgovernesses—includingtheredoubtableMarion“Crawfie”Crawford.Sheenforceddaily“silentreading”periodsinwhichthegirlsconsumedtheclassics,andshetaughtthemhistory,geography,grammar,andarithmetic.Othergovernesseswerebroughtintoteachthegirlsmusicanddance,andFrenchwastaughtbyatutorwhosenamemusthavegiventheyoungroyalspause—MarieAntoinette.CrawfiealsoeducatedtheminthewaysoftheoutsideworldbyshooingtheprincessesaboardcitybusesandtheTubefortoursofLondon.Theywereschooledtoointheregalritesbynolessaninstructorthantheirsterngrandmother,QueenMary,whofrownedoncommonerpracticeslikesmilinginpublic.Duringoneplayfulbuteducationalgameof“Presentationat

Court,”thequeenaskedthegirls,“WhomhaveIthehonorofreceiving?”RepliedLilibet,“LordBathtubandLadyPlug!”Thequeencrackednotasmilebutlatercouldn’thelpbutask,“Howdidyouhappentothinkofsuchqueernames?”LilibetconfessedthattheiruncleDavid,thePrinceofWales,haddroppedbyastheypreparedforthegameandsuggestedthenames.Hemusthavedonesopurposelytotweakhismother’ssenseofroyalprotocol.Soonhewouldoutrageit.Theprincesses’ownmother,Elizabeth,theDuchessofYork,hadspentmuchofherchildhoodonherfather’sfamilyestateandatthesameGlamisCastleinScotlandwhereMargaretwasborn.ThecastleisalsoknownasthesettingofShakespeare’sMacbeth.

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ACROWNJEWELINHERFATHER’SEYESElizabethwavesfromthebalconyofBuckinghamPalacefollowingthecoronationofherfatherasKingGeorgeVIonMay18,1937.Shewas11atthetime.“Ihavewatchedyougrowupalltheseyearswithpride,”thekingwrotetoherseveralyears

later.

InJanuary1936,uponthedeathofLilibet’sbelovedgrandfatherGeorgeV,heruncleDavidbecameKingEdwardVIII.Andalmostimmediatelyhiseldestnieceandalltheroyalfamilybecameprimeplayersina20th-centurysuccession

andalltheroyalfamilybecameprimeplayersina20th-centurysuccessiondramathat,thoughbloodless,provedeverybitasrivetingtoaworldwideaudienceasShakespeare’sdidtothecourtiersandgroundlingsattheGlobetheater.“Ialwaystoldthoseidiotsnottoputmeinagoldenframe,”Edwardwaslaterreportedtohavesaidafterhistumultuous10-monthreignaskingwaslongover.IthadendedonDecember10,1936,whenhescandalizedtheworldbyabdicatingthethronetomarrythetwice-divorcedAmericansocialiteWallisWarfieldSimpson.Thatshewasnotdestinedtowintheheartsofherfuturehusband’scountrymenwashintedatinanOctober1936royalsnewsnoteinTime:“Mrs.SimpsonisnogreatchurchgoerandonSunday[she]remainedatBalmoralCastlewhiletochurchwenttheking.”When10-year-oldLilibetandMargaret,thensix,learnedfromafootmanthatEdwardhadabdicatedandtheir41-year-oldfather,Bertie,wastobecrownedKingGeorgeVI,Margaretturnedtohersisterandsaid,“Doesthatmeanthatyouwillhavetobethenextqueen?”

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In1941,shejoinedherparentsandhersister,Margaret,foradriveonthegroundsofWindsorCastle.

“Yes,someday,”saidLilibet.“Pooryou,”saidhersister.Indeed,theascensionofLilibet’sfathermeantherown—beingfirstinlinetotakethethroneintheeventofhisdeath;puttingasidechildishthings,includingthenamethathadstucksincethenursery;andbeginningtogrowintotheadultprincesswhowouldonedaybecomeQueenElizabeth.

princesswhowouldonedaybecomeQueenElizabeth.Withthefamily’smovefirstintoWindsorCastleandthenthe775-roomBuckinghamPalace,thesisterscontinuedtosharelivingquartersandtheirfathermadehisbesteffortstoseetoitthatMargaretnotfeelmarginalized.Heevenmadeaspecialrequesttonewspapereditorstonotcrophisyoungestfromphotosofthekingposingwithhisheirapparent.Butfromthebeginningofhisreign,hegroomedElizabethforhers,takingherformorningwalksaroundthepalacegroundstoacquaintherwiththedutiesinvolvedinhisdailyroutines.AndCrawfie’sschoolingswereaugmentedbymorerigorousstudywithanaugusttutor—HenryMarten,theeventualviceprovostofEtonCollege.ThatmeantElizabethhadtosetasideherfavoritebooksbyJaneAustenandtheBrontësistersandthehistoricfictionshelovedreadingforhistoricfact—includingdauntingtomeslikeG.M.Trevelyan’sEnglishSocialHistoryandTheEnglishConstitution,byWalterBagehot.Shecontinuedtowriteinthedailyjournalshermotherhadencouragedhertokeepsinceearlychildhood—asshewoulddothroughoutherlife.Shenodoubtmadeaninterestingentryonedayin1939when,whileaccompanyingherfatheronavisittohisalmamater—theRoyalNavalCollegeinDartmouth—her13-year-oldheadwasturnedbyadashingtallblondcadetfiveyearshersenior.YoungPrincePhilipofGreecewasinfactadistantcousinandthenephewofthefamousfamilyrelationLordLouisMountbatten.Theprincesshadmethimtwice,athiscousin’sweddingin1934andatherfather’scoronationthreeyearslater.Butnowitwasclearthatshewasseeinghimasneverbefore.Theprincess“staredathim,”recalledLordMountbatten,“andfollowedhimeverywhere.”Butherteenagecrushwassooninterrupted,ifnotforgotten,monthslaterwhen,onSeptember3,1939,BritaindeclaredwaronNaziGermany.

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THEFIRSTELIZABETH

The16th-centuryrulerhadmuchincommonwithtoday’smonarchShegainedthethroneattheageof25,livedlongerthananyEnglishmonarchbeforeher,sawherroyalfleetbattleaSpanish-speakingcountry,andpresidedoveranageofculturalsupremacy.ThatdescribesbothQueenElizabethI,whoruledEnglandfrom1558to1603,andtoday’sQueenElizabethII.Theyaredistantly—verydistantly—related.BothtracetheirlineagetoKingHenryVII,ElizabethI’sgrandfatherandElizabethII’s13-greatsgreat-grandfather.Familyscandalledtobothbecomingqueen:ElizabethIwasthedaughterofKingHenryVIIIandAnneBoleyn,hissecondwife.HeexecutedAnneandhadElizabethdeclaredillegitimate;shebecamequeenonlyaftertwohalfsiblingsdied.ElizabethIImovedupthelineofsuccessionwhenheruncleKingEdwardVIIIabandonedthethronetomarryacommoner.ElizabethI’snavybattledtheSpanishArmada;ElizabethII’sBritishfleetdefendedtheFalklandIslandsagainstArgentina.ButbothElizabethanerasmaybebestrememberedforthe

againstArgentina.ButbothElizabethanerasmaybebestrememberedforthecreativegeniuseswhoflourishedundertheirsovereigns:WilliamShakespeare;andJohn,Paul,George,andRingo.

THEWARYEARS

“Wearetryingtodoallwecantohelpourgallantsailors,soldiers,andairmen.”

—PRINCESSELIZABETH

APWARHITSHOME:THEBOMBINGOFBUCKINGHAMPALACEKingGeorgeVIandhiswifeinspectthedamageafteraGermanattackonSeptember10,1940.“Itcouldhavebeenmuchworse,”shruggedtheking.Hisdaughters,ElizabethandMargaret,weremostlykeptawayfromLondonat

thetime.

EvenbeforethefirstboltsoftheGermanblitzkrieg—“lightningwar”—struckPolandinSeptember1939andignitedworldwideconflagration,itsthreatthunderedthroughoutEurope.Inresponse,bombshelterswerebuiltbelowBuckinghamPalaceandcarvedintothebedrockbelowWindsorCastle;at

BuckinghamPalaceandcarvedintothebedrockbelowWindsorCastle;atBalmoralCastle,gasmaskswereissued.Then,fourmonthsafterPrincessElizabeth’s13thbirthday,thekingdomshewouldonedayrule,alongwiththerestoftheworld,wasengulfedinwhatwouldprovetobethemostcatastrophicwarinhumanhistory.Lessthanayearlater,HitlerenteredParisandpromisedtomakeBritainthenextconquestofhisunstoppablewarmachine.SoontheBlitz—dayandnightLuftwaffebombingraidsthatrainedfireandterroroverLondonandLiverpoolandpopulationcentersthroughoutEngland—wasatfullroar.Andso,ratherthanenjoyingacarefreewhirlofglitteringballsandheadyromance,ElizabethenteredherteensknittingsocksforBritishsoldiers,collectingtinfoilandrollingbandagesforthewareffort,sendingportionsofherfive-shillingweeklyallowancetoemergencychildwelfarefunds,wearingsecondhandclothes,adheringtothewarrationsdietdictatedforallBritons,andlivingasfrugallyaswaspossibleforateenageprincessandheirtotheBritishthrone.

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THEVOICESOFBRITAINDURINGWWIIOnSeptember3,1939,thedayBritaindeclaredwaronGermany,KingGeorgeVI,inaradioaddressaskedhispeopleto“standcalm,firm,andunited.”

EVERETTHisdaughterElizabeth(withsisterMargaret,left)echoedthosesentimentsinaradioaddressto

BritishchildrenaroundtheworldonOctober13,1940.

EvenasbombsfellonBuckinghamPalace—itwashitninetimes,includingonceinSeptember1940whenthekingandqueenbarelyescapedwiththeirlives—theroyalcouplerefusedentreatiestoabandonLondonandevacuatePrincessElizabethandPrincessMargarettoCanada.“Thechildrenwon’tgowithoutme,”saidthequeen.“Iwon’tleavewithouttheking.Andthekingwillneverleave.”ThegirlsweresenttotherelativesafetyofWindsor,buttheirparentsremainedatBuckinghamPalace,intheheartofLondon.Throughoutthesixlongyearsofwar,theytraveledthecountry,visitingsoldiersintheirbivouacsandthewoundedinhospitals;theytouredbombed-outneighborhoods,andtheyboostedmoralewherevertheyappeared.Theking’sdecisiontoremaininEnglandforthedurationofthewar,enduringitsdeprivationsalongwithhissubjects,endearedhimtothebeleaguerednation.ButitalsomadethelikelihoodthatElizabethmightsuddenlybecalledtothethroneintheeventofherfather’sdeathseemnotatallremote.ThefuturemonarchbeganherpubliclifewithherfirstliveBBCradiobroadcastinOctober1940.Displayingpoiseandpluck,sheaddressedthetensofthousandsofchildrenwhowereevacuatedfromtheirhomesandseparatedfrom

thousandsofchildrenwhowereevacuatedfromtheirhomesandseparatedfromtheirfamiliesattheheightoftheBlitz.“Mysister,MargaretRose,andIfeelsomuchforyouasweknowfromexperiencewhatitmeanstobeawayfromthosewelovemostofall,”shesaidinaclearvoicethatofferedahintofthecalmandcompassionthatmanywouldcometoadmire.AtWindsor,lifeduringwartimemeantblackoutcurtains,barbed-wire,andhot-waterrationing—afive-inchlimitwasmarkedonallbathtubs—nottomentionwhatthequeencalled“thewhistle&screamofbombs”andtheroarofantiaircraftgunbatteriesfiringatincomingNaziattacksquadrons.Bywar’sendsome300high-explosivebombshadfallenaroundthecastlegrounds.“Thoughtheyaresogood&composed,”thequeensaidofthechildreninanotetohermother-in-law,“thereisalwaysthelistening,&occasionallyaleapbehindthedoor,anditdoesbecomeastrain.”

REXSHUTTERSTOCKElizabethencouragedBritonstojointhewarefforts(sheworkedasanambulancemechanic)andto

notforgettoenjoythesimplepleasuresoflifeinEngland.

ILLUSTRATEDLONDONNEWSLTD/MARYEVANSPICTURELIBRARY

Amongthosepleasures:feedinganelephantattheLondonZoo,circa1940.

Toeaseit,thefamilyretreatedonoccasiontoBalmoral.ThereElizabethhunteddeer,fishedforsalmon,andjoinedineveninggamesofcharades.OncetheaerialBattleofBritainwaswonandthethreatofinvasionwasoverbymid1941,ballswereheldatBuckinghamPalaceandWindsorCastle,andtheprincessesstagedplaysandpageantsthatfoundElizabethsingingandtap-dancing.Butthewarwasneverfaroff,andthechildrenofrefugeesfromtheheavilybombedEastEnddistrictofLondonwhomtheroyalfamilybilletedattheWindsorestatejoinedElizabeth’sGirlGuides(theBritishequivalentoftheGirlScouts)troopatthecastle.Whensheturned16,ElizabethwasappointedanhonorarycoloneloftheGrenadierGuards,aneliteregimentassignedtoprotecttheroyalfamily.Shebefriendedguardsmenandwoundedsoldierswhoconvalescedatthecastleandoftengrievedforthemlater.“Whatabeastlytimeitisforpeoplegrowingup,”hermotherwrote.“LilibetmeetsyoungGrenadiersatWindsorandthentheygetkilled&itishorridforsomeonesoyoung.”Betweentroopreviewsandbattleshipchristenings,visitstoWelshminersand

Betweentroopreviewsandbattleshipchristenings,visitstoWelshminersandspeechesattheNationalSocietyforthePreventionofCrueltytoChildreninLondon,Elizabethdidfindtimeformoreteenagepleasures.Forher17thbirthday,shecelebratedatWindsor,whereshedancedwithAmericanandBritisharmyofficerstomusicprovidedbyaswingorchestra.Whenshereachedmilitaryageat18,ElizabethdonnedauniformintheAuxiliaryTerritorialService,theBritishArmyequivalentoftheAmericanWACs,oneofthewartimewomen’sunits.Thoughshewasgivenaroyalpassthatallowedhertoskipbasictrainingandhead-liceinspections,shespentarigorousthreeweeksattheMechanicalTransportTrainingCenter,whereshelearnedhowtodriveathree-tonlorrythroughtrafficinthestreetsofLondon,howtochangesparkplugs,rotatewheels,bleedbrakes,andstripdownautomotiveengines.Thelaborlefthercoveredingreaseandgrimeandnotalittlewell-earnedpride.“EverythingIlearntwasnewtome—alltheodditiesoftheinsidesofacar,”shetoldafriend.“I’veneverworkedsohardinmylife.”Andsheneverpartiedsohardasshedidafortnightafterher19thbirthdaywhen,onMay8,1945—VictoryinEuropeDay—shejoinedtheecstaticandrowdystreetcelebrationsthatsweptLondonfollowingGermany’ssurrender.AfterstandinginuniformonthebalconyatBuckinghamPalacetogreetcheeringcrowdsalongsidethekingandqueenandPrimeMinisterWinstonChurchill,sheandhersisterandagroupoffriendsandafewguardianslinkedarmsandranamongthecrowdsthatsurgedthroughthecity.Fortwonightsinarowshe“walkedsimplymiles,”shewroteinherjournal,“ate,partied,bed3am!”Thesewere,shewouldsay40yearslater,among“themostmemorablenightsofmylife.”

KEYSTONE/GAMMA/GETTY

THEFIGHTINGISOVER,ANDJOYRETURNSTOENGLANDKingGeorgeVIandQueenElizabeth,withPrincessElizabethandPrincessMargaret,arejoinedbyPrimeMinisterWinston

ChurchillonthebalconyofBuckinghamPalacetocelebrateVictoryinEuropeDayonMay8,1945.

BETTMANN/CORBIS

Almosttwoyearslater,ElizabethjoinedNavymidshipmenonboardtheHMSVanguardforafree-spiritedgameoftag.

THELOVEOFHERLIFE

“Philiphasquitesimplybeenmystrengthandstayalltheseyears.”

—QUEENELIZABETH,MANYDECADESAFTERTHEIRWEDDINGDAY

FOXPHOTOS/GETTY

ADASHINGYOUNGCOUPLEMAKETHEIRINTENTIONSKNOWNAftermonthsofhidingtheiraffections—atleastbeforethepublic—ElizabethandPhilipemergedarm-in-armfrom

BuckinghamPalaceonJuly11,1947.Previously,Timereported,Philipoftenhadtosecretlyslipthroughasidedoorofthepalacetoseehisgirlatall.KingGeorgeVImadeitallofficialwithanoticeinsertedintheCourtCircularthatweek.“ItiswiththegreatestpleasurethattheKingandQueen

announcethebetrothaloftheirbeloveddaughterthePrincessElizabethtoLieut.PhilipMountbatten.”

Inanagewheredivorceseemsasprevalentasthecommoncold,themarriageof

Inanagewheredivorceseemsasprevalentasthecommoncold,themarriageofElizabethandPhilipremainsabeaconofcommittedrelationships.TheyareBritishandtheyarereserved,ofcourse,andrarelygiventopublicdisplaysofaffection.Theyhaveutteredfewpublicsentimentsaboutbeingyoungandinlove.AskPhiliphowtheycametobeengaged,assomebiographershavedone,andherespondswitharatherbland“Onethingledtoanother.”(Althoughinaonce-privatelettertoElizabeth’smother,hedidrevealthathehadfallenforhisbride-to-be“completelyandunreservedly.”)Elizabeth,manydecadesaftertheirweddingday,plainlynotesthatPhilip“hasquitesimplybeenmystrengthandstayalltheseyears.”Notexactly“Youcompleteme.”Soasthecoupleapproachestheir70thweddinganniversaryin2017,onemightwonder:What,exactly,havetheyseenineachotherforallthoseyears?PhilipwasbornontheGreekisleofCorfuonJune10,1921,witharoyalheritageandnottoomuchelse.Hisfather,PrinceAndrew,wasthebrotherofKingConstantineofGreeceandtracedhislineagetotheroyalDanish-GermanHouseofSchleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg.Philip’smother,PrincessAliceofBattenberg,wasagreat-granddaughterofBritain’sQueenVictoria.PhiliphasalotofGermanbloodandspeaksGerman,sotoconsiderhimaGreekthroughandthroughismisleading—especiallysincehewasonly18monthsoldwhenhisfatherwasexiledtoParis,takinghiswife,youngPhilipandPhilip’sfoursisterswithhim.There,PhilipbeganhisschoolinginallthingsEnglish—thelanguage,thepropermanners—underthedirectionofaBritishnannynamedMissRoose.Ashisparentsgraduallydriftedapart—hismothertoaGermansanatoriumfollowingabreakdown,hisfathertoMonteCarlo,wherehetookupwithamistress—thefamilyshippedPhilip,attheageofnine,offtoEnglandtolivewithhisgrandmother,thewidowofthegreatBritishnavalcommanderandGermanprinceLouisAlexanderMountbatten.SheinturnhustledtheyoungladtoCheam,apreparatoryschoolknownforitscoldbaths,rock-hardmattresses,and300-yearhistoryeducatingBritain’sprivilegedyouth.Philipthrivedinthatenvironment,distinguishinghimselfasafirst-classathleteintheprocess.HiseducationcontinuedatGordonstoun,arigorousboardingschoolinScotland,beforeheenteredtheRoyalNavalCollegeatDartmouth.

ILLUSTRATEDLONDONNEWSLTD/MARYEVANSPICTURELIBRARY

PHOTOGRAPHS,LETTERSKEPTTHEMCLOSEYoungPhiliplikedboatsalmostasmuchashelikedElizabeth(atBuckinghamPalacein1947).

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Thenavalcollegeiswherethestrapping18-year-oldcadet,ahandsomemanwithblondhairandblueeyes,greetedaslightlyawkward13-year-oldgirltakingatouroftheinstitutionwithherfamily.Shewasadistantcousin,andherfatherhadrecentlybecomethekingofEngland.Theyhadmetafewtimesbefore,atweddingsandotherformalfunctions,butitissafetosaythattheimpressionPhilipmadeonthevisitingElizabethonthattourwasonethatwouldlastalifetime.“Howgoodheis,Crawfie.Howhighcanhejump!”theyoungwomanexclaimedtohernannyafterwatchingPhilipleaplithelyoveratennisnet.Later,shesavoredtheanecdoteshetoldaboardtheroyalyacht—salty,butnottoosalty—hangingonhiseveryword.Uponherreturnhome,Elizabethpepperedherhandsomecousinwithletters.Ontherareoccasionswherehewoulddeigntoreply,sheracedtothenearestlavatoryinsearchoftheonlyguaranteedprivacyavailable,boltedthedoor,andreadherletterinecstaticsolitude.Ifevertherewasaroyalcrush,thiswasit.Philipgraduatedfromthenavalcollegeatthetopofhisclassin1939andjoinedEngland’seffortsintheMediterraneanandthePacificinWorldWarII.Elizabethcorrespondedwithhimthroughoutthoseassignments,perhapsglancingatthesilver-framedportraitofPhilipthatsatatopherdressingtableat

glancingatthesilver-framedportraitofPhilipthatsatatopherdressingtableathomeasshewrote.Theinfatuationgrew.Atwar’send,PhilipwasplacedonshoredutyatthenavalbasenearCorsham.Heoftenmadethe100-miletrektoLondoninhissmallblackMG,sometimesmakingtheroundsoftheWestEnd’snightspots,andfrequentlystoppingatBuckinghamPalacetohavedinnerwithElizabethandheryoungersister,Margaret.Theirfriendshipgrewintoaromance.Elizabethwasdelighted.HerfatherGeorge?Notsomuch—atfirst.“Therewasalsosomethingabouthisdaughter’sbrashyoungmanwithhisloud,boisterouslaughandhisblunt,seagoingmannersthatirritatedthegentleking,”Timemagazinereported.Despitethatchill,ElizabethandPhilipdecidedtomarryafterashortstaywithherfamilyatBalmoralCastleinthesummerof1946.Theking’slackofenthusiasmforElizabeth’sbeau—anattitudesparked,inpart,byhisconcernoverhowthepeopleofBritainwouldtaketoaGreekprincemarryingtheheiresstothethrone,evenwithPhilip’sexcellentwarrecordandBritisheducation—frustratedtheprincess.“TherewasmanyatensemomentforGeorgeasElizabethmopedaboutintearfulmartyrdomwhilehermotherandgrandmother,thedoughtyoldQueenMary,foughtherbattleforher.AtlastGeorgedecidedthattheyoungcouple(shewas20,he25)shouldwaitsixmonthstomakesureofeachother,”notedTime.

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Duringtheircourtship,hekeptherphotographinanoldleatherframetuckedawayinhisweekendbag.AndwhenElizabeth’sfamilytookheronafour-monthtriptoSouthAfricain1947,shekeptapictureofPhiliponherdressingtableandwrotetohimconstantly.Amongtheirbonds:aloveofdancing,firstdisplayedinpublicattheAssemblyRoomshallinEdinburgh,Scotland,onJuly15,

1947.

Therewereobstaclestoovercome,butnoneprovedburdensome.PhilipbecameaBritishcitizen,andpublicopinionpollsshowedthatamajorityofthenation’s

aBritishcitizen,andpublicopinionpollsshowedthatamajorityofthenation’spopulacefavoredhismarryingtheprincess.Duringthattime,asElizabethbiographerSallyBedellSmithwrote,theverytraitsthatmadetheBuckinghamPalaceestablishmentwaryofPhilipmadeElizabethlovehimallthemore.“NoneofthecriticismsofPhilip’sGermanbloodorcheekyattitudewasofanyconcerntoPrincessElizabeth.Amanofideasandappealingcomplexity,hewasabreathoffreshairtotheheiresspresumptive.Itwasclearthathewouldnotbeeasy,buthewouldcertainlynotbeboring.Hesharedhercommitmenttodutyandservice,buthealsohadanirreverencethatcouldhelplightenherofficialburdens.”ByOctoberof1946,attheweddingofPatriciaMountbattentoLordBrabourneatRomseyAbbey,thepresswitnessedthewayElizabeth,aguest,lookedatPhilip,anusher,andallbutdecidedthattheywereboundforthealtaranyday.TheofficialannouncementdidnotcomeuntilJuly9,1947,however,followedbythecouple’sintroductionataBuckinghamPalacegardenparty.AdispatchfromtheLosAngelesTimesabouttheengagementreportedthatElizabeth“ismuchprettierthanherphotographs,is5foot5inchestallandweighsaround120pounds.Shehasbrownhair,white,evenandratherlargeteethandacomplexionequaltohermother’sfamouspink-and-creamskin.Hereyesareblueandwidelyspaced.”Philip,thesameclippingnoted,stoodatsixfoottwoandweighed185pounds.Hisfriends,itsaid,“describehimas“charming”and“aman’sman.”TheweddingtookplacethatNovember,onthe20th.PhiliphadconvertedfromGreekOrthodoxytoAnglicanism,avoidingonesocialproblembeforetheceremony,andElizabeth’sfathermadetheformerlyGreekprinceaBritishroyalduke,theDukeofEdinburgh,tobecalledHisRoyalHighness,orsimplyPrincePhilip.AnotherpotentialproblemwassolvedbynotinvitingPhilip’ssisterstotheevent.TheyhadmarriedGermannobleslinkedtotheNazipartyand,sosoonafterWorldWarII,wereseenaspoliticallyundesirable.(Elizabeth’smotherprivatelyreferredtoPhilipas“theHun.”)Onthebride’sside,Elizabeth’suncle,PrinceEdward,theformerKingEdwardVIII,andthewomanheabandonedthethronefor,WallisSimpson,werealsonotinvited.Noneofthatbehind-the-scenesmaneuveringcoulderodethepublic’sjoyandfascination,however.AsElizabethmadeherwaytoWestminsterAbbeyintheroyalcoach,thousandscheeredfromtheneighboringsidewalksofLondon.Celebrationseruptedthroughouttheglobe,fromParistoPanama,fromShanghaitoManhattan—wherethousandsgotoutofbedatsixa.m.tolistentotheceremonybroadcastontheradio.Dignitaries—fivekings,sixqueens,PrimeMinisterClementAttlee,WinstonChurchill—tooktheirseatsinthecathedral.

MinisterClementAttlee,WinstonChurchill—tooktheirseatsinthecathedral.Afterafanfareoftrumpetssplitthesilence,Westminster’schoirsang“Praise,MySoul,theKingofHeaven,”andbehindaparadeofAbbeyofficialsElizabethcameuptheaisleonherfather’sarm.ThekingplacedherhandinPhilip’s,andbeforelongtheArchbishopofCanterburyasked:“Philip,wiltthouhavethiswoman?”and“ElizabethAlexandraMary,wiltthouhavethisman?”Elizabethpromised“tolove,cherish,andtoobey,”andPhilip,leaningtowardher,said,“WiththisringItheewed,withmybodyItheeworship.”AllofBritaincelebrated,manyseeingtheweddingasabeaconofhopeintheWorldWarIIrecoveryperiod.InthewordsofChurchill,itwasa“brightrayofcoloronthehardgreyroadwehavetotravel.”

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THEVIEWFROMBUCKINGHAMPALACE“ThecrowdbegantogatherearlythenightbeforeinfavoredplacesnearBuckinghamPalaceandParliamentSquare,”notedtheTimeaccountoftheweddingofElizabethandPhilip.“Thecrowdwasgood-natured,abitrowdy,ill-clad,andill-fed.And,morethaninothertimes,avidfortheshowthatwouldliftit,notbyillusionbutbylegitimate

right,intoasymbolicreminderofitsownworth.”

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ONLYELVESCOULDMAKEADRESSSOBEAUTIFULOnherweddingday,Elizabethworeagownofduchessesatin,withfittedbodiceandfullskirtheavilyencrustedwithrosesandstars

embroideredinseedpearls.“SurelyuncopyablesavebyLittlePeopleinaglen,”gushedtheNewYorkDailyNews.Twofive-year-oldpages,PrinceWilliamofGloucesterandPrinceMichaelofKent,heldher15-yardtrainofsilktulle.TheprincessandPhiliplefttheirweddingintheGlassCoach,a

statecarriagebuiltin1881.

PHOTOUNIONCOLLECTION/MARYEVANSPICTURELIBRARY

RULINGGREATBRITAIN

“Afairandyouthfulfigure,princess,wife,andmother,istheheirtoallourtraditionsandglories.”

—WINSTONCHURCHILLONELIZABETHBECOMINGQUEEN

CECILBEATON/CAMERAPRESS/REDUX

ATOUCHOFPHOTOMAGICFORHERMAJESTY’SPORTRAITThequeen’sofficialcoronationportraitinvolvedabitofpre-Photoshopmanipulation.Itwastakenbysociety

photographerCecilBeatonintheGreenDrawingRoomatBuckinghamPalace,withatheatricalbackdroppaintedtolooklikeWestminsterAbbey.TheImperialStateCrown,createdforQueen

Victoria’s1838coronation,andtheSovereign’sOrbandSceptre,whichdatebackto1661,arequitereal,however.

PrincessElizabethwenttobedinatreehutnestledinKenya’sRoyalAberdareGameReserveandawokethenextdayastheQueenofEngland.Shewas

GameReserveandawokethenextdayastheQueenofEngland.Shewasunawareofhernewposition,fornewsofthedeathofherfather,KingGeorgeVI,hadnotyetreachedthatoutpostoftheBritishEmpire.TheyoungadventurerwasenjoyingherAfricantripimmensely,delightingintheopportunitiestoobservebiggamegatheringatlocalwateringholes.Onlythedaybefore,sheseizedherhusband’sarmasaherdof30elephantslumberedintoviewbeforesunset.“Look,Philip,they’repink,”shewhispered,andbegantakingphotographsoftheanimalsencrustedinthepinkishdustoftheforest.Thatnight,tooexcitedtosleep,shekeptleavinghercottowatchformoreofthereserve’screatures.Shebeganthedaycarefree,withasimplebreakfastofbaconandeggs,andamusedherselfbytossingbananastobaboonsgatheredbelow.JustbeforenoononFebruary6,1952,cladinanapricot-coloredblouseandbrownslacks,Britain’snewqueen,stillunawareofherhighposition,leftthehutinhighspiritsoverher“tremendousexperience”andvowedtocomeagainsoonwithherfather.“He’dloveit,”shesaid.Laterthatafternoon,atalodgethecouplehadreceivedasaweddinggiftfromthepeopleofKenya,PhilipreceivedaphonecallinforminghimofGeorge’sdeath.Theprincetookhisbridedowntoanearbyriver’sedgeandrelayedthenews.Shaken,butinfullcommandofherself,ElizabethreturnedtothelodgeonPhilip’sarmandbeganmakingarrangementsforthelongtriphome.AcartookthemtotheNanyukiAirport,wheretheyflewtoUganda,andthentransferredtoafour-engineplaneforthejourneytoLondon.Thepilot’sradiopickeduparadiomessageofcondolencefromPrimeMinisterWinstonChurchill.ItwasthenthatBritain’snewqueenbrokedownintears.ElizabetharrivedatLondon’sairportthefollowingmorning.Churchillwastheretogreether,alongwithasmallgroupofprivycouncilors,adviserstothemonarchy.Sheshooktheirhands,whisperingawordortwotoeach,Philipafewstepsbehind,thenclimbedintoherwaitingcarandrodetoClarenceHouse,herhome.ThereshespokewithhergrandmotherQueenMarybeforephoninghermotherandsisteratSandringham,theroyalfamily’scountryestate.Thatnightsherested;thenextdayshesignedtheoathofaccessionbeforethePrivyCouncil,andanhourlater,heraccessionwasformallyproclaimed.“Whereas,”announcedtheofficialknownastheGarterPrincipalKingofArms,“ithathpleasedAlmightyGodtocalltoHisMercyourlatesovereignlord,KingGeorgeVI...wedonowherebywithonevoiceandconsentoftongueandheartpublishandproclaimthehighandmightyPrincessElizabethAlexandraMaryisnow...becomeQueenElizabethII...towhomherliegesdoacknowledgeallfaithand

becomeQueenElizabethII...towhomherliegesdoacknowledgeallfaithandconstantobediencewithheartyandhumbleaffection...Godsavethequeen.”

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THEKINGISDEAD,LONGLIVETHEQUEENPrincessElizabethreceivedwordofherfather’spassingwhiletouringKenya.

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Shereturnedhome,metattheairportbyPrimeMinisterWinstonChurchillandotherstateofficialsandattendedtheFebruary15,1952,funeralwithhergrandmotherQueenMaryandQueenMother

Elizabeth.

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Herfather’sfuneraltookplaceonFebruary15.Inthemonthsthatfollowed,therewasnohurrytoarrangeherformalcoronation—shewasalready,technically,thequeen.SoElizabethandthePalaceallowedthefocustostayonKingGeorgeandhis16enormouslypopularyearsonthethrone,andletthenation’ssadnessebb.

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OutofrespectforthelateKingGeorgeVI,hercoronationwasnotscheduleduntil16monthslater.Anticipationfortheeventgrewasthemonthswentby,withchildrenintheEastEndofLondoneager

foracoronationpartyandseamstressesandtailorsbusypreparingthecoronationrobes.

CORNELLCAPA/LIFE/THEPICTURECOLLECTION

TheofficialceremonyfinallytookplaceonJune2,1953,adaychoseninhopesofsunnyspringweather.ThisbeingLondon,however,thenationsettledforatraditionalgraymorning.ButtherewasmorethanenoughcolorandpageantrytomakeupfortheovercastskiesasWestminsterAbbeyfilledwithsuchdignitariesasthesultansofZanzibar,thequeenofTonga,eightprimeministers,twoarchbishopsandtheLordHighChancellorofEnglandinfull-bottomwigandgown.At11a.m.,ajoyousfanfareoftrumpetsannouncedthearrivalofHerMajesty.“VivatReginaElizabetha!Vivat!Vivat!Vivat!”shoutedtheQueen’sWestminsterScholarsasshewalkeduptheaisle,herlongcrimsontrainbornebysixmaidsofhonor.Atastoolontheleftofthealtar,Elizabethkneltandprayedalone.Sherose,andthecrowdacknowledgedherwithcriesof“GodsaveQueenElizabeth!”TheArchbishopofCanterburyproceededtoaskElizabethifshewouldgovernherpeopleaccordingtotheirlawsandcustoms,executelawandjusticeinmercy,andmaintainthelawsofGod.Sheknelt,kissedtheHolyBiblebeforeherandsworetodoso,“sohelpmeGod.”Withagoldenpenshesignedacopyoftheoath,theonlyformalcontractbetweenthequeenandhersubjects.ToremindElizabeththat“thewholeworldissubjecttothePowerandEmpireof

remindElizabeththat“thewholeworldissubjecttothePowerandEmpireofChristourRedeemer,”theDeanofWestminsterpresentedherwiththeSovereign’sOrb,agoldenglobesurmountedbyacross.Shenexttookinherhandsthesymbolsofkingliness:aringofsapphireandrubiestowedthequeentohersubjects;theRoyalSceptrewiththeCross,decoratedwiththeStarofAfrica(a516.5-caratdiamond),for“kinglypower”;theRodofEquityandMercy,to“leadyourpeopleinthewaywhereintheyshouldgo.”Thefinaltouch:ThearchbishopheldalofttheImperialStateCrownforalltosee,thenplaceditonElizabeth’shead.Cheersof“Godsavethequeen”filledtheAbbeyastrumpetsblared;outside,andallacrosstheBritishEmpire,bellspealedandcannonsroared.

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ALLOFLONDONCELEBRATEDAtWestminsterAbbey,wheretheBritishsovereignhasbeencrownedformorethan900years,ElizabetharrivedintheGoldStateCoachonJune2,1953,forher

coronationceremony.Hermaidsofhonorandherhusband,Philip,infull-dressnavaluniform,accompaniedher.Thatsameday,morethan29,000troopsfromthefarcornersoftheBritishEmpireparadedthroughthecity(includingPiccadillyCircus)asthepubliclinedthestreetsofthefour-and-a-half-milereturnroute,designedsothatthequeenandherprocessioncouldbeseenbyasmany

peopleaspossible.

LARRYBURROWSCOLLECTIONItwasnotlongbeforeElizabethembarkedonwhatwouldprovetobeoneofthemostenjoyabledutiesofhernewjob—travelingtheworldashernation’sgoodwillambassador.ThatNovember,joinedbyPhilipand10royalattendants,sheembarkedona45,000-miletouroftheBritishCommonwealth,presidingoverstateballs,gardenparties,luncheons,banquets,andotheroccasions.ItwasthefirsttimeaBritishmonarchhadcircledtheglobe.Amongherstops:Libya,Australia,Fiji,NewZealand,Jamaica,Uganda,andthePacificislandofTonga,wheresheenjoyedthecompanyofQueenSaloteTupou,whohadtraveledtoLondonmonthsbeforetowitnessElizabeth’scoronation.ShedidnotreturntoLondonuntilMay15,1954,almostsixmonthsaftershedeparted.

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HAVECROWN,WILLTRAVELElizabethhasalwayslovedtoseetheworld.Justfivemonthsafterhercoronation,shebegana45,000-miletripthroughouttheBritishCommonwealth,includingvisits

toLibya,Fiji,andNewZealand.OneofherfirststopswasJamaica,where,betweenofficialfunctions,sheandPhilipfoundtimeforadipintheCaribbean.

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Shealsomasteredtheartofthepublicappearance,speakingwithscoutsatWindsorCastlein1954andacceptingflowersfromachildinNigeriain1956.

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Inthefallof1957,ElizabethandPhilipspentsixdaysinNewYorkCity,Washington,D.C.,andJamestown,Virginia,wheretheycelebratedthe350thanniversaryofthefoundingofthefirstBritishcolonyinAmerica.InWashington,theywereguestsofPresidentDwightD.Eisenhower—afriendsincehisdaysinLondonasSupremeAlliedCommanderduringWorldWarII—forfournightsattheWhiteHouse.ThetwoleadersmetatWashingtonNationalAirport,andbetweenechoesofa21-gunsaluteandbrass-bandstrainsoftheBritishandU.S.nationalanthems,theyexchangedofficialgreetingsandbeganthegreatprocessiontotheWhiteHouse.Allalongthefour-mileroutefromtheairportto1600PennsylvaniaAvenue,amillioncelebrity-jadedWashingtonianscheeredIkeandhisguestsastheyrolledslowlyinthePresident’sbubble-toppedLincoln.AstheEisenhowergrandchildrenflattenedtheirnosesagainsttheupstairswindowpanes,MamieEisenhower(whochangedherdressattheverylastminutefrompeonyredtoolivegreen)steppedtotheWhiteHouseporch,tookthequeen’shand,andburbled:“Welcome!Wehavebeenwatchingyouontelevision.Wehavebeenwantingyoutocomeforsolong.My,youlookpretty.”AtthePresident’sstatedinner,EisenhowerworehisribbonandmedalofBritain’sOrderofMeritandtoastedthequeenandherhusband,whileElizabeth

Britain’sOrderofMeritandtoastedthequeenandherhusband,whileElizabethpraisedWashingtonas“sooftenafocusfortheaspirationsofthefreeworld.”Later,VicePresidentRichardNixonhostedaluncheonattheCapitol,andElizabethdidherbesttoseehowtheaverageAmericanenjoyedlife,attendingafootballgameattheUniversityofMarylandandstoppinginaGiantsupermarketafterthegame.(Thequeenwasparticularlyimpressedbyshoppingcartsthatcouldholdgroceriesandcarryatoddleratthesametime—somethingnotavailableinEngland.)MorethanamillionpeoplelinedthestreetsinlowerManhattantogreetherwithaticker-tapeparade;shealsoaddressedtheUnitedNationsGeneralAssembly,attendeddinnersattheWaldorf-AstoriaHotelandaballattheSeventhRegimentArmoryand,likemosttourists,madeapointofvisitingtheEmpireStateBuildingtoenjoytheviewfromthe102ndfloor.

EDCLARK/LIFE/THEPICTURECOLLECTION

ACHARMTHATSPANNEDCONTINENTSNomatterwhereshetraveled,Elizabethprovedpopularwiththelocals.FansgatheredatArlingtonNationalCemeteryinVirginiatowatchherlayawreathattheTomboftheUnknownSoldierin1951,andNewYorkersweredelightedbya1957visit,

whichincludedaballinherhonorattheSeventhRegimentArmory.

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InGhanain1961,some100,000peoplejammedAccra’sBlackStarSquareatanationalwelcomingceremonyafterleadersproclaimedaholidayinherhonor.

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And,inBenares,India,thatsameyear,thousandswatchedherrideatopa13-foot-tallelephant,withtheMaharajaofBenaresbyherside.PrincePhiliprodeonanotherelephantjustbehindthem.

Clearly,thetravelbughadbitten.In1961,ElizabethvisitedIndia,andinNewDelhimorethanamillionpeopleturnedouttowelcomeher.InthecityofJaipur,themaharajahofferedherarideonaceremonialelephant.AsElizabetheyedherprospectiveconveyance,thevoiceofPrincePhilipwasheard.“Fastenyourseatbelt,”hecried.Thequeengrinnedandclambereduptoherseat.Twodayslater,Philiptookcenterstagehimselfwhenthemaharajaputonatigerhunt.InGhanathatsameyear,PrimeMinisterKwameNkrumahtoldthequeen,“ThewindofchangeblowingthroughAfricahasbecomeahurricane.”(GhanahaddeclaredindependencefromtheBritishEmpirein1957.)Thequeen’stourgaveNkrumahacontinuedexcusetocrackdownonhisopponentsintheUnitedParty.InthecityofKumasi,policearrestedsome200“criminals,”mostofwhomwerecoincidentallyUnitedPartymembers.Thequeenserenelycontinuedhertour,however.Inthenorthernterritories,tribalchiefsputondazzlingceremonialdurbarsfortheroyalvisitors.AtTamale,muscular,nearlynudewarriorsinbikini-briefgrassskirtsperformedtheEndoftheHarvestdance.ThemostspectacularceremonywastheAshantidurbarlaidoninKumasibefore

mostspectacularceremonywastheAshantidurbarlaidoninKumasibefore35,000people,includingsome150majorandminorchiefs.HostfortheritualwastheAsantehene,OtumfuoSirOseiAgyemanPrempehII,KingofAshantiandthemostimportantchiefinallGhana.In1965Elizabethembarkedonan11-day,1,200-miletourofWestGermany,thefirststatevisitbyareigningBritishmonarchsinceEdwardVIIpaidhislastcallonKaiserWilhelmIIin1909.ThetripcameafulltwodecadesaftertheendofWorldWarII,amidfearsoflingeringresentment.Butthosefearsweremisplaced.AsGermanchancellorLudwigErhardputit,theroyalvisitwasintendedtobe“theultimatereconciliationwhichbothournationshavesought.”Forweeks,HausfrauenalloverWestGermanypracticedHofknickse(curtsies).AttheMunichmint,eightgoldcommemorativecoinshadbeenstruck;aColognerecordcompanybroughtout“TheQueenElizabethFoxtrot.”InBonn,15,000champagneglasseswereordered,andmobilelavatoriesweretrundledinfromCologneforastatereceptionfor2,500atAugustusburgCastle.Andwhilethetripdidnotstartonahighnote—theweatherwasbad;themass-circulationpaperBildZeitungranthreephotosofElizabeth’sglumfaceonherarrivalandbegged,“Pleasesmilemore,YourMajesty”—itsoonturnedintoatriumph,withcrowdscheeringandchanting“Elizabet,Eliz-a-bet!”assheplacedawreathonaBeethovenmonumentneartheBonncityhall.Oneofhermorememorabletripswasa1995visittoSouthAfrica.ShebestowedtheOrderofMeritonPresidentNelsonMandela,whohadledthemovementthatoverturnedtherulingwhiteminorityoftheformerBritishdominionandhelpedreturnthenationtotheBritishCommonwealth.“Ihavecometoseewhatislittleshortofamiracle,”thequeensaid.Mandelacalledher“anavowedfriendofourcountry,”whichsoundedmuchnicerthantheheartfeltgreetingsofschoolchildreninDurbanwhochanted,“Zulus,behappy!Theshe-elephantisamongus!”Bythecloseof2015,thequeenhadvisited128countries.HermostpopulardestinationwasCanada(27visits),followedbyAustralia(18visits).Whenaskedtoexplainherdesiretoexplore,Elizabethreportedlyhadasimpleyetlogicalexplanation.“Ihavetobeseentobebelieved.”

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COURTESYGERALDR.FORDPRESIDENTIALLIBRARY

CORBIS

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MASTERINGBRITISHHOSPITALITYPresidentNelsonMandelaofSouthAfrica(ridingwiththequeeninLondonin1996)neverstoodonformalitywhenmeetingGreatBritain’sruler.“Ithinkhewasoneoftheveryfewpeoplewhocalledherbyherfirstnameandsheseemedamusedbyit,”wroteoneMandelaaideinamemoir.Shehadherlessformalmomentswithotherleaderstoo—exchanginggiftswithPopeJohnPaulIIin1980duringthefirststatevisittotheVaticanbyaBritishmonarch;dancing(to“TheLadyIsaTramp”)withGeraldFordintheWhiteHousein1976;ridinghorseswithRonaldReaganinWindsorHomeParkin1981,andinvitingPresidentObamaandMichelle

ObamatoasleepoveratBuckinghamPalacein2011.

WINDSORFAMILYVALUES

“Sheisjustanormalgrandmother.Veryrelaxed.”—PRINCEHARRY

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AFAMILYGATHERINGINSCOTLANDElizabethandPhilipgatheredAnne,Andrew,andCharlesatBalmoralonSeptember9,1960.Elizabeth’sgreat-great-grandmotherQueenVictoria

calledBalmoral“mydearparadiseintheHighlands.”

In1994,inwhatsomesaidwasaheavy-handedattempttosalvagehisreputationinthewakeofabrutalseparation,PrinceCharlesallowedhisauthorizedbiographertodisclosethattheprincefelt“emotionallyestranged”fromhisparents,whowere“unableorunwilling”tooffertheaffectionhecravedasayoungman.Hisfather,Philip,was“verybullying”and“inexplicablyharsh.”Hismother,thequeen,seemed“detached.”ElizabethandPhilipwerereportedtobehurtbythisdisclosure.Publicly,onlyPhilipwouldcomment.“Wedidourbest,”hesaid.ButPrincessAnne,thecouple’sdaughterandCharles’syoungersister,exercisedlessrestraint—andin

couple’sdaughterandCharles’syoungersister,exercisedlessrestraint—andintheprocessdefendedElizabethfromrumorsthatshewasremoteanduncaringasamother.“I’mnotgoingtospeakforanybodyelse,”AnnesaidinGylesBrandreth’s2006biographyPhilipandElizabeth:PortraitofaRoyalMarriage,“butIsimplydon’tbelievethatthereisanyevidencewhatsoevertosuggestthatshewasn’tcaring.Itjustbeggarsbelief.Weaschildrenmayhavenotbeentoodemanding,inthesensethatweunderstoodwhatthelimitationswereintimeandtheresponsibilitiesplacedonherasmonarchinthethingsshehadtodoandthetravelsshehadtomake,butIdon’tbelievethatanyofus,forasecond,thoughtshedidn’tcareforusinexactlythesamewayasanyothermotherdid.Ijustthinkit’sextraordinarythatanybodycouldconstruethatthatmightnotbetrue.”

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INPHOTOGRAPHS,APICTURE-PERFECTFAMILYPrincessElizabethandtheDukeofEdinburghinvitedthepresstoClarenceHouse,theirLondonhome,inAugustof1951toofferacharmingpictureoffamilylifewithPrinceCharlesandPrincessAnne,whowasoneyearoldthatweek,inthecrawlingstageandtheproudpossessorofsixteeth.Theroyalfamilysolovedthe1954

colorphotobelowthattheyrereleaseditonAugust19,2015,tocelebrateWorldPhotoDay.

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What’smore,saidAnne,hermotherallowedthechildrentoexpressthemselves.“Ifshe’dbeenadisciplinarianandsaid‘No’toeverybody,we’dhaveallbeenpsychoanalyzedoutofexistenceonthebasisthatwehadtoocontrollingamother.We’veallbeenallowedtofindourownwayandwewerealwaysencouragedtodiscussproblems,totalkthemthrough.PeoplehavetomaketheirownmistakesandIthinkshe’salwaysacceptedthat.”Therewereabsences,asAnneadmits.Onlyoneyearafterthebirthofherson,ElizabethchosetojoinherhusbandforamonthontheislandofMalta,wherehewasstationed,tocelebrateChristmas,leavingCharlesbehindwithherparentsandnannies.Shewoulddothesamethefollowingyear,afterthebirthofAnne.Asqueen,herschedulefrequentlytookherawayfromLondon—includingafive-and-a-half-monthworldtourfollowinghercoronation,whenCharleswasfiveandAnneonlythree—andherchildrenwereleftbehind.Theydidchatwiththeirtravelingmotherbyradiotelephone.ButElizabethalwaystendedtomakeworkherpriority.AccordingtoroyalsauthorRobertLacey:“Dutybecamethecripplingweightinnormalfamilydevelopment.”Elizabeth’sownchildhoodwas,bymostaccounts,joyous.HerfatherandgrandfatheradoredElizabethandherlittlesister,Margaret.Thereweredogsand

grandfatheradoredElizabethandherlittlesister,Margaret.Thereweredogsandhorsesgalore.“Itwasalifeofpicnicsandpaddlinginstreams,”saidMargaretRhodes,afriendofElizabeth’ssinceshewasalittlegirl.WhileRhodesrecalledthatElizabeth“wasalwaysreserved,evenasachild,”sherememberedthequeenas“brimmingwithlove.”WhichisnottosaythatlifewasentirelyabedofrosesfortheyoungPrincessElizabeth.BiographerIngridSewardnotesthathernannyClaraKnightwas“ano-nonsensefarmer’sdaughter”whobelievedthatspoilingachildwouldleadtoaruinedadult.ShekeptElizabethonastrictschedule—breakfastat7:30a.m.,bedtimeat7:15p.m.—andinsuredthatthewishesofElizabeth’sgrandmotherQueenMarywereheeded.Theyincludedbeingtaughthowtowaveandsmile,andhowtonotfidget.ButElizabeth’smotheralsomadesureakinder,gentlernanny,MargaretMacDonald,wasassignedtoworkwithClara.ElizabethnicknamedherBobo,andthetworemaineddevotedtoeachotheruntilMacDonald’sdeathin1993.(Anothernanny,MarionCrawford,or“Crawfie,”wasclosetothefamilyfor17yearsbutfelloutoffavorforreportedlysellingherstorytothepresswithoutpermission.)AndElizabethandhersistersharedidyllicsummersatBalmoral,dancingonthelawnsandplayinggames.Inall,Elizabethenjoyedthebenefitsofatight-knit,lovingfamily,oneherfatherreferredtoas“wefour.”

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ACROWNINGACHIEVEMENT,AFAMILYMOMENTSome80,000peoplecrowdedaroundtheancientcastleofCaernarvontowatchElizabethinvesthersonCharlesasthePrinceofWalesonJuly

1,1969.

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Amongtheperksofthejob:aswordwithasilver-gilthilt,anamethystring,anermine-toppedmantle,andacontemporarygoldcoronet.Thatsameyear,Edward,Anne,Charles,andAndrew

joinedtheirparentsatWindsorCastleonNewYear’sDay.

joinedtheirparentsatWindsorCastleonNewYear’sDay.

Itwasawarmththatwassometimeswantingonherpartlaterinlife,whenalittlemorecompassion,alittlemorekindness,mighthavebeencalledfor.In1989,whenAnnebrokethenewstohermotherthathermarriagetoequestriancoachMarkPhillipswasending,“thequeen’simmediatereactionwas,‘Ihavetowalkthecorgis,’”saidroyalsauthorBrianHoey.“Sheshiesawayfrompersonalproblems.”PeterArcherofBritain’sPressAssociationnotes:“Itisnotinhermakeuptoshowpublicremorseorguilt.”Yettherearesignsthatshehasloosenedup:Shesavorsthecompanyofhergrandchildren—William,33,andHarry,31;Andrew’sdaughters,Beatrice,27,andEugenie,25;Anne’schildren,Peter,38,andZara,34;andEdward’schildrenLouise,12,andJames,8—anddidn’tevenmindwhenZaragothertonguepiercedasateenager.(“Shethoughtitwasahoot,”saysLacey.)Onelookatthesmileonherfacewhenshevisitshergreat-grandchildren—William’schildren,George,two,andCharlotte,almostone;Zara’sdaughter,Mia,two;andPeter’sdaughters,Savannah,five,andIsla,three—demonstratestheloveshehasforherfamily.IthastakentimeforElizabeth—awomanmarried69yearstothesameman—toadjusttomodernmores.ThemosttryingmomentscameduringthebreakupofCharles’smarriagetoDiana.Notonlywerethecircumstancesdifficulttotake—infidelityabounded—butalsoitseemedasifeverydetailofthebreakupwasplayedoutinthepressworldwide.Foraqueenwhoprizesherprivacy,thiswasfarfromideal.

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ONCEUPONAMUCH,MUCHHAPPIERTIMECharlesandDianaappearedsoinloveontheirweddingday,July29,1981,sharingakissontheBuckinghamPalacebalcony.

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Behindthescenes,ElizabethandDianametwithflowergirls,takingtimetocheckonlittleClementineHambro(infrontofthequeen),whohadslippedandbangedherhead.

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OnDecember21,1984,atthechristeningofPrinceHarry,youngPrinceWilliamentertainedtheroyalfamilymembersgatheredatWindsorCastle.

Shetriedherbesttokeepmatterscivil,despitemonthsofbickeringbetweenhersonandhiswife.Inlate1994,Charlescametothequeentodiscussthe

hersonandhiswife.Inlate1994,Charlescametothequeentodiscusstheconsequencesofadivorce.Theytalkedaboutneedinganexperttohandletheconstitutionalissuesofasittingprinceleavinghisprincess,andconcludedthatlegalproceedingscouldbegin.ButbeforeCharlesleft,thequeenaskedifheandtheprincesscouldactuallybeartositdowntogetheranddiscusstheissuerationally.Asaclosefriendnoted:“ThequeenknewonlytoowellthatthesimpleactofgettingtheWalesestotalkatallwasamiracle.”DianawastryingElizabeth’spatience—particularlybygrantinganinterviewtotheBBConNovember20,1995,inwhichsheconfessedthatshehadbeenunfaithfultoCharles.(OfcourseCharleshadadmittedhisowninfidelityonaTVdocumentarythepreviousyear;asDiananotedintheinterview,referringtoCamillaParkerBowles,“Therewerethreeofusinthismarriage,soitwasabitcrowded.”)Withinamonth,thequeenwrotebothCharlesandDiana,urgingthemtoagreetoanearlydivorce.BuckinghamPalacereleasedastatementsayingCharlesfavoredthedivorce;buttherewasnoofficialwordfromDiana.InMarch1996,Dianafinallyreleasedherownstatementsayingshewasreadytodivorcetoo.Elizabeth’sreaction?“ThequeenwasmostinterestedtohearthatthePrincessofWaleshadagreedtothedivorce,”wasallherpressofficewouldsayatfirst.Later,itwouldannouncethatthequeenwishedthedivorcediscussions“beconductedprivatelyandamicably.”Oncethedivorcewassettled,ittooktimeforCharlesandhismothertofullyconnect.ThestickingpointwasCharles’sfuturebride,Camilla;thepressnotedthatElizabethwasnotenamoredofherson’sconsort.Theturningpointoccurredin2002,when,bybringingCamillatoeventscelebratingElizabeth’s50yearsonthethrone,CharlesprovidedstrongevidencethathewasgaininggroundinhiscampaigntoofficiallybringCamillaintothefamilyfold.Thequeen“hasseenthelogicofit,thatinherjubileeyearshedoesn’twanttobefallingoutwithherson,”ChristopherWilson,authoroftheCamillabiographyTheWindsorKnot,toldPeople.“Thishasallbeendoneforthesakeoffamilyunity,andIthinkCharleshaswontheday.”CharlesandCamillagotengagedaroundChristmasof2004,andbeforelongthequeenissuedastatementsaying,“TheDukeofEdinburghandIareveryhappythatthePrinceofWalesandMrs.ParkerBowlesaretomarry.”Forthequeen,“veryhappy”isgushing.SheandPrincePhilipdidnotattendtheirweddingatWindsorGuildhallonApril9,2005,buttheydidattendablessingofthecoupleatSt.George’sChapelinWindsorCastleandheldareceptionforthematthecastle.

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THEQUEENISAMUSED...ANDTHENSOMEThewonderisn’twhyQueenElizabethlaughedasshepassedPrincePhilipinfullregalia(includingbearskinhat)outsideBuckinghamPalaceonJanuary1,2005.Thewonderishowshemanagedtomaintainhercomposureonsomanyotheroccasions.OnDecember15,2006,PrinceWilliamsmiledforthequeenattheRoyalMilitary

AcademyinSandhurst.

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Amorefestivewedding—andonemoreinkeepingwithElizabeth’ssenseofroyaltradition—tookplaceonApril29,2011,whenElizabeth’sgrandsonWilliammarriedKateMiddletoninalavishceremonyatWestminsterAbbey.Elizabethdidherbesttomaketheoccasionascomfortableaspossiblefortheyoungheirtothethrone,urginghimtomaketheoccasionhisown.“Iwasgivena[guest]listinthefirstmeetingof777names,andnotoneofthemonthereIknew.Soitwasabitdauntinganditwaslike,well,thatseemstobetheguestlist’ssorted,butnoroomforfriendsorfamily.AndIwasn’ttoohappyaboutit,”WilliamtoldABCNews.“Shesaid,‘Ridiculous.Getridofthelist.Startfromyourfriends.’”That’sasideofElizabeththepublicrarelysees.“Inasmallroomwithclosemembersofthefamily,thensheisjustanormalgrandmother.Veryrelaxed,”saidWilliam’sbrother,Harry.“Sheobviouslytakesahugeinterestinwhatwealldo,that’sherchildrenaswellashergrandchildren.Shewantstoknowwhichcharitieswe’resupporting,howlifeisgoinginourjobsandsuch.Soyouknow,shehasavestedinterestinwhatwedo.”

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FORGINGTIESWITHAQUEENINWAITINGThepublic’sacceptanceofKateMiddletonintotheroyalfamily,fromthedayshemarriedPrinceWilliamonApril29,2011,tothepresent,mirrors

thefeelingsofthequeen.Thetwosharedalaughwhilewatchingachildren’ssportseventinNottinghamonJune13,2012

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Shealsorewardsrelativeswhoimprovetheimageoftheroyalfamily—evenHarry,whomshemadeaKnightCommanderoftheRoyalVictorianOrderlastJunedespitesomeroughpatches(nudepartyinginLasVegas,anyone?)inhisyoungerdays.Whilethequeendidnotannouncethereasonsforthehonorbeing

youngerdays.Whilethequeendidnotannouncethereasonsforthehonorbeingconferred,HarryhadrecentlycompletedsuccessfultoursofNewZealand,theCaribbean,andtheMiddleEastonbehalfofHerMajesty.TheknighthoodwasbestowedinaprivateceremonyatBuckinghamPalace,withnocameraspresent,makingitabitmorepersonalthanotherroyalhonors.

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ANOFFICERANDSEVERALGENTLEMENPrinceHarry’sgraduationfromtheRoyalMilitaryAcademyinSandhurstbroughtoutthefamily’sdressuniformsonApril12,2006.Fromleft:PrinceCharles,MajorGeneralAndrewRitchie,AcademySergeantMajorSimonNichols,QueenElizabeth,

DuchessCamilla,theDukeofEdinburgh,Harry,andPrinceWilliam.

ThequeenhonoredPrinceWilliambymakinghimaKnightoftheThistle,thehighesthonorinScotland,giventomenandwomenwhohaveheldpublicofficeormadeasignificantcontributiontonationallife.Theadmirationismutual:Ina2011interviewwithauthorRobertHardman,Williamsaidofhisgrandmother,“AsI’vegotolder,she’sbecomeanevenmoreimportantpartofmylife.”Thequeen“caresnotforcelebrity,”saidWilliam.“That’snotwhatmonarchy’sabout.It’saboutsettingexamples.”Hebelieveshermanyyearsonthethronehelptheentireroyalfamily.“It’slikearugbyteam.Ifyou’repickingfortheWorldCupfinal,you’repickingexperiencewithyouth.Everythingisbetteroffhavingthatbalanceandthatmix.Ithinkthat,especially,goesforthemonarchyaswell.”AsElizabethapproachesher90thbirthday,familyremainsimportantforpersonalandprofessionalreasons.Thereisthejoyofseeinghergreat-grandchildrenandwatchingthemgrow,ofcourse.(“Welovetohaveanothergirl,”shesaidshortlyafterthebirthofPrincessCharlottelastyear.)AndthereistheassurancethattheHouseofWindsorwillgoonforyearstocome.Shehas

theassurancethattheHouseofWindsorwillgoonforyearstocome.Shehaskeptthefamilyintactthroughtroubledtimes,anditisthrivingtoday.

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Thissummer,thequeenisexpectedtonameKateashersuccessoraspatronofWimbledon’sAllEnglandLawnTennisandCroquetClub,atitleshehasheldfor64years.Bothlovetennis.

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THEQUEENANDKATE

ProvidingGreatBritainwithtraitstobetreasured:stabilityandcontinuityThepictureabovesummarizesallElizabethstrivestomaintaininherroyalfamily,andallCatherine,DuchessofCambridge,hopestobringforwardintothe21stcentury.TakenonJuly5,2015,atthechristeningofPrincessCharlotteattheChurchofSt.MaryMagdaleneontheSandringhamestate,itshowstheroyalsasahappyfamily,properlydressed,respectful,withjusttheslightestdashofrebelliousness—courtesyoftheanticsofyoungPrinceGeorgeinhisredshorts.TherearesignsthatElizabethapprovesoftheeventualitythatKatewillbequeenoneday.Oneclue:Ata2015statebanquetforthevisitingpresidentofChina,XiJinping,Katewasgivenaprominentseatingplacement,rightnexttothepresident,andtheloanofapearlanddiamondlotusflowertiarafromElizabeth’sprivatecollection.Still,there’snoquestionofwho’stheboss.AtKate’s34thbirthdaycelebrationatSandringhamlastJanuary,theduchesswas

Kate’s34thbirthdaycelebrationatSandringhamlastJanuary,theduchesswasseencurtsyingtothequeen.Verytraditional.JustasElizabethlikesit.

CANINESANDEQUINES

“Iwasmightilyimpressedbyherabilitiesasadogtrainer.”

—WINSTONCHURCHILL

APTHEPERFECTBIRTHDAYPRESENTPrincessElizabethwasgiventheopportunitytoplantheactivitiesforher13thbirthdaycelebrationonApril21,1939.Shechosetospendthedayridingher

horseinWindsorGreatPark.Noonewassurprised.

OnthoseoccasionswhenElizabethentertainsatBuckinghamPalace,itisthesoundofscufflingpaws,notblaringtrumpets,thatheraldsherappearance.“Whenthedoorsopen,incomethecorgis,followedbythequeen,”saysapalacesource.“Itworksasatremendousicebreaker.”Hercorgis—ormoreprecisely,herPembrokeWelshcorgis,smart,alert,affectionatedogsoncebredtoherd

herPembrokeWelshcorgis,smart,alert,affectionatedogsoncebredtoherdsheep,horses,andcattle—areavitalpartofherlife.They’rewithheratthepalaceandathercountryretreats;theytravelwithherbytrain,plane,andautomobile;infacttheyrarelyleaveherside.Royalswatcherssaythatmorethan30havegracedthehallsofherhomessinceshebecamequeen.Shehasbeenacorgiownersince1933,whenshewasalittlegirlandherfather,theDukeofYork,arrangedforabreedertoshowasmallnumberofpuppiestotheirfamily.Theychoseacutiewithadarkchestnutredcoat,andcalledhimDookie.Withinthreeyearsthefamilyhadacquiredanother,calledJane,andElizabethandMargaretdelightedinplayingwiththemintheirbackyard.

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LOVINGALLCREATURESGREATANDSMALLLookcloselyoryou’llmissone!That’sScrummy,Mimsy,Dookie,Jane,Choo-Choo,andStiffyonthelawnoutsidetheRoyalLodgein

WindsorGreatPark(above),playing(ormorelikelydozing)withElizabethandMargaretandtheirparents,thenknownastheDukeandDuchessofYork,circa1937.Thefamily’sloveofanimals

remainedconstantthroughouttheirlives.In1946,ElizabethandMargaretrodehorsesinthesamepark(below),wearingjodhpursandheadscarves,andevenmanagedtomaketheirsteedsdotricks:

Theanimalscouldstandwiththeirfrontlegsonbuckets.

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Theyoungprincesshadacquiredaloveofhorsesevenbeforethat.Shetookherfirstridinglessonin1930atBuckinghamPalaceMews.Onherfourthbirthday,shewasgivenherfirstpony,aShetlandnamedPeggy,byherfatherKingGeorgeVI.Asuccessionoffavoriteridingsteedsfollowed;inthe1950s,itwasaticklishmarecalledBetsy.Inthe1970sand’80s,itwasBurmese,agiftfromtheRoyalCanadianMountedPolice,whomshetook,famously,onaridewithPresidentRonaldReaganin1982.HerlastridinghorsewasSanction—thetwohadsuchabondsheclaimedhewasnear-telepathicandburiedhimonthegroundsatWindsorin2002.Sincethen,thequeenhasswitchedtoponies;amonghercurrentridesisaFellponynamedCarltonlimaEmma.Andsheknowswhatsheisdoing—despiteastubbornrefusaltowearahelmetwhileatophermount.“Sheridesforpleasure,”saysLucyHigginson,formereditorofHorse&Hound,wholabelsthequeenas“anout-and-outhorseaddict.”Thequeen’sinterestextendstoownership—shekeepsdozensofridinghorsesandracehorses—andbreeding.“Sheisfascinatedwithbloodlines,”Higginsonsays,notingthatElizabethmeticulouslypairsbothThoroughbredsandponies.“Thepleasureforherisproducingabeautifulanimal.”Thequeenlovestoseeherracehorsescompete,andwasonceamajorplayerinBritishracing.(These

herracehorsescompete,andwasonceamajorplayerinBritishracing.(Thesedays,however,wealthyhorseenthusiastsfromtheMiddleEastcontrolmostofthestudsinEngland.)In2013,herThoroughbredEstimatewontheGoldCupatRoyalAscot—afive-dayracingmeetingalsoknownforthecolorfulfrocksandhatsshewearstothetrack.Sheremainsinvolvedinotherhorseendeavors,includingeventing,showing,carriagedriving,andpolo,andisthepatronoftheRoyalWindsorHorseShow,Britain’slargestoutdoorequestriancompetition.RoyalsobserversbelievethecaninesandequineshaveatherapeuticeffectonHerMajesty.“Isupposethathadshenotbeenqueen,she’dlikedtohavebeenanicehorseyladywithlotsofdogsandhorses,”saysHigginson.“She’sgotsomuchelseinherlifetoconcentrateon,Ithinkthisisherwayofbeingabitnormal.”Andofobtainingcomfortintroubledtimes,accordingtoauthorIngridSeward,whowritesinTheQueenandDi:TheUntoldStory,“Shedidwhatshealwaysdidwhenshewasagitated,andtookhercorgisforawalkthroughthewintrywoodsandploughedNorfolkfields.Whenshegotbackshedriedthedogsoffandthenalmostimmediatelytookthemoutagain,adisplacementactivityPrincePhilipcalledher‘dogmechanism.’”Sometimes,thecorgisgotagitatedtoo.TheBritishpressevenreportedthatoneofthequeen’sfootmenlikedtospiketheirwaterwithatouchofwhiskytogettheminamellowmood.(Hewasdemotedandreprimandedforhisactions.)Theirsometimesboisterousbehaviorisnothingnew;backin1945,anunrulypoochcalledCrackersbarkedduringaperformanceofaCarmenariabyaMetropolitanOperastarinBuckinghamPalace.In1991,sevenofthelittlefellowsgotintoarumblewiththreedogsbelongingtotheQueenMotheronthegroundsofWindsorCastle.Elizabethwadedintothemeleetobreakitup,andatleastonedisloyalbeastbitherlefthand,drawing,asTimereported,blueblood.Thequeenrequiredthreestitchesasaresult.‘‘Weadvisedogownerstobackawayfromthesefights,’’saidBritishdogexpertRogerMugfordatthetime,‘‘butthequeenissocourageous!’’TheDailyExpressbarked:‘‘Nowthatthequeen’scorgishavebittenthehandthatfeedsthem,whydoesn’tshechangetoadecent-lookingroyaldog?’’

APADOG’SLIFEISAGOODLIFEWITHTHEQUEENTherearemanyperksassociatedwithbeing

oneofQueenElizabeth’scorgis,nottheleastofwhichinvolvesalittlelovingscratchfromHerMajestyherself.

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YoucanavoidthelinesdeplaningatHeathrowAirport.

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Andyougettomeetcelebrities,liketheNewZealandAllBlacksrugbyteam(atBuckinghamPalaceonNovember5,2002),andpretendyou’renotinterested.

Notachance.Elizabethisloyaltohercorgis—andtheircousins,thedorgis,aroyalbreedcreatedwhenoneofElizabeth’scorgisfellinlovewithoneofPrincessMargaret’sdachshunds.Theresultwasahybrid,anelongateddogwithasleekcoatandabushytail.Thequeenpersonallyfeedsbothbreeds,walksthem,andevenoverseestheirburialinproperlymarkedgravesatherSandringhamestate.ButthedaysofthoselittlefeetrunningwildinBuckinghamPalacemaybecomingtoaclose.In2012,horseanddogtrainer(andElizabethconfidant)MontyRobertsdisclosedthatthequeendidnotwanttobringnewdogsintothehouseafterthedeathofoneofherfavorites,acorginamedMonty(yes,thedogwasnamedafterherfriend).“Shedidn’twanttohaveanymoreyoungdogs,”RobertstoldVanityFair.“Shedidn’twanttoleaveanyyoungdogbehind.Shewantedtoputanendtoit.”Thequeencurrentlyownstwocorgis,andstilllovestowalkwiththematBalmoral.“TherearealotofrabbitsaroundBalmoral,certainly,”Robertssaid,“andthequeengetsexcitedwiththedogschasingtherabbits,eggingthemon.Tellingthemtokeepgoing—‘Keepongoing!’”

ANNUSHORRIBILIS

“Nineteenninety-twoisnotayearonwhichIshalllookbackwithundilutedpleasure.”

—QUEENELIZABETH

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THE900-YEAR-OLDWINDSORCASTLEISAHOUSEONFIRETheblazeisbelievedtohavestartedwhenapicturerestorerworkingintheCrimsonRoomofthe1,000-roompalaceaccidentally

sprayedcleaningfluidontoahalogenlamp,creatingablowtorcheffectthatignitedatapestry.

TheWindsorshadbeenthroughmuch—theyhadbeenthroughtheabdicationofEdwardVIII!—buttheyhadnotbeenthroughanythinglike1992.ThiswastheyearwhenElizabeth’ssecondson,Andrew,separatedfromhiswife,Sarah;whenherdaughter,Anne,divorcedherhusband,CaptainMarkPhillips;whenGermandemonstratorsthreweggsatherinDresden;whenthefactthatshedidnotpaytaxesbecameatabloidissue;whenhersonCharlesandhiswife,Diana,becameanevenbiggertabloidissue;whenWindsorCastleburned.OnNovember24,ataluncheonatGuildhallgivenbytheLordMayorofLondonostensiblytocelebratethe40thanniversaryofheraccessiontothethrone,Elizabethdeliveredherfamousspeechdelineatingtheterribletimesand,

throne,Elizabethdeliveredherfamousspeechdelineatingtheterribletimesand,uncharacteristically,pleadedforunderstanding.“Nineteenninety-twoisnotayearonwhichIshalllookbackwithundilutedpleasure...ithasturnedouttobeanannushorribilis.”Thefirewasspectacular.Itguttedthenortheastcornerofthecastle,partsofwhichweremorethan900yearsold,onNovember20,theQueen’s45thweddinganniversary.Ittook220firefightershourstobringitundercontrol.Thestateapartments,usedforhigh-levelofficialentertaining,didnothaveasprinklersystem,andintheendmorethanthreeacresoffloorspaceweredestroyed.PrinceAndrew,theonlyfamilymemberonsite,metfirefighterswhentheyarrived—minutesafterthefirstalarm—andsaidsimply,“I’mtheDukeofYork.HowcanIhelp?”Afterquicklycallinghismother,whowasatBuckinghamPalacereceivingnewdiplomaticappointees,hejoinedthecastlestaffof400—drilledforjustsuchaneventuality—inshuttlingfurnishings,artworks,andentiresuitsofarmorontoaplastictarpinthecastle’sone-and-a-half-acregreenquadrangle.Whenhismotherarrivedandtouredthesite,Andrewturnedpressspokesman,tellingreporters,“Thequeenisabsolutelydevastated.”

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ALLGOODTHINGSMUSTEND,EVENFORROYALSThestrainsintheirmarriageseemedevidentwhenCharlesandDianatouredAustraliain1988,stoppingtorecommissiontherestored

paddlesteamboatAdelaideontheMurrayRiver.PrinceAndrewandhiswife,SarahFerguson,looklessthaninlovewhileattendingamatchattheGreenwichPoloClubinConnecticutonSeptember

19,1987.

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Otherindignitiesmayhaveleftherdevastatedaswell.TouringDresdeninOctober,Elizabethappearedstunnedasasmallbandofprotesters,perhapsrememberinghowBritishandAmericanbombersdestroyedtheGermancityduringWorldWarII,hurledtwoeggsatherassheenteredtheChurchoftheHolyCross.Andthentherewasthematterofhertaxes—orrather,theroyaltraditiondictatingthatmonarchsdonotpaytaxes.WhenBritishcitizenslearnedthattheywereabouttofootthebillforrepairstothefire-ravagedWindsorCastle—tothetuneofupto$100million—theygrumbled.Loudly.Elizabethrectifiedtheissuebyvolunteeringtopay40percentontheincomefromherestimated$85millioninprivateinvestments.Ithurt,butnottoomuch:hernetworthremainedatabout$11billion.Buttheseweresimplymattersofstate;itwasmattersoftheheartthatcausedgreatergriefforElizabeth.SonAndrew,thehandsomeplayboyprince,seemedtohavefoundamatchmadeinheavenwhenhemarriedSarahFergusonin1986.“Sheisthebestthinginmylife,”Andrewoftentoldfriends,whilehisbrideopenlygushed,“Ilovehiswit,hischarm,hislooks.Iworshiphim.”Butaftertheirtwodaughterswereborn,AndrewandSarah,betterknownasFergie,werelivingseparatelives.Andrewbegantoslamherpalsas“ponceyphilistines,”andFergiebegantoknockhissometimesboorishbehavioras“terriblygauche.”InMarch,onthesixthanniversaryoftheirengagement,BuckinghamPalacemadeitcoldlyofficial:TheDukeandDuchessofYork’smarriagewas,forpractical

itcoldlyofficial:TheDukeandDuchessofYork’smarriagewas,forpracticalpurposes,over.Theyhadagreedtoseparateformally,withtheoptionofdivorceaftertwoyears.

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DianawouldbecomeclosefriendswithMajorJamesHewitt(atWindsorParkin1991),andCharleswouldrekindleanoldflame,CamillaParkerBowles(in1995).

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Thebitternesswascontagious.PrincessAnnebegandivorceproceedingsagainstherhusband,equestriancoachMarkPhillips,inApril.Theysharedapassionforhorses,butapparently,asTimenoted,itwasnotenoughtomakea

stablemarriage.Eighteenyearsearlier,sherodeintheGlassCoachtoherwedding.ThedivorcewasconsiderablymoremundaneandwasfollowedbyAnne’ssecondmarriagetonavycommanderTimothyLaurencethatDecemberinScotland.Whenitcametomaritaldiscord,however,nothingcouldtopthetravailsofCharlesandDi.Theircourtshipand1981marriagecaptivatedthenation,ifnottheworld.NolessanauthoritythantheArchbishopofCanterburyproclaimed,“Hereisthestuffofwhichfairytalesaremade:theprinceandprincessontheirweddingday.”Butinfidelitywouldintrudeonbothsides,andtheabilitytomaintaineventhepretenseofmarriageforthesakeofappearancesbecameimpossible.OnAugust24,thetranscriptofaphoneconversationbetweenDianaandaclosefriendwaspublishedinTheSun,withDianadescribinglifewithCharlesas“realtorture,”andhersayingshehadcaughttheQueenMotherwatchingher“withastrangelookinhereyes.”Dianaandhersons,WilliamandHarry,continuedtoresideatKensingtonPalace,whileCharles’srelationshipwithCamillaParkerBowleswasparsedwithadistinctlackofgentilitybytheFleetStreetpress.ThePrinceandPrincessofWalesofficiallyseparatedonDecember9;theydivorcedfouryearslater.

CORBISMOURNINGTHEDEATHOFDIANAWhilethequeenspokeof1992asher“annushorribilis”(at

GuildhallonNovember24thatyear),1997provedworsefortheBritishpsyche.

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Thedeathofthenow-divorcedDianaalongwithherboyfriendDodiFayedandtheirdriverinanautomobilecrashinParisbroughtthenationtotears—thoughtearswerenotevidentatBalmoral,

wheretheroyalfamilyviewedmakeshiftmemorialsleftbythegrievingpublic.

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AseaofflowersgrewinfrontofDiana’shomeatKensingtonPalace,andafteranunrelentingbarrageofcriticism—andsomewordsfrommedia-savvyPrimeMinisterTonyBlair—theroyal

familyblinked.Elizabethtooktheextraordinarystepofmakingalivetelevisedspeechtoassurehersubjectsthat“wehaveallbeentryinginourdifferentwaystocope.”

THEROYALREDCARPET

“She’slovely...veryfriendly.She’sgotakeenpad.AndIlikedthestaff.”

—PAULMCCARTNEY,AFTERHISINTRODUCTIONTOQUEENELIZABETHIN1965

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HOLLYWOODROYALTYMEETSTHEREALTHINGElizabethshookhandswithMarilynMonroe,lightlywrappedingoldlaméfortheoccasion,ataRoyalFilmPerformanceofTheBattleoftheRiverPlateattheEmpirecinemainLeicesterSquare,London,inOctober1956.(That’sVictorMaturestandingnexttoMarilyn.)MindfulthatMonroe’scountrymanorwasnearWindsorCastle,thequeenbeamedtotheactress:“We’reneighbors!”Bothwomenwere30yearsoldatthetime.

Smalltalkmaybethebiggestchallengeaqueenfaceswhilegreetingcelebritiesatroyalconcertsandcharityevents.SogiveElizabethanAforeffortwhen,uponbeingintroducedtoguitarlegendEricClaptonataBuckinghamPalacereceptionin2005,shesimplyasked:“Haveyoubeenplayingalongtime?”Nooneexpectedthequeentoquotethelyricsof“Layla.”(Bytheway,Claptonpolitelyinformedher,“Itmustbe45yearsnow.”)Andinfactmostmusicians,actors,athletes,andstatesmenappeartobequitesatisfiedwithjustawordortwofromHerMajesty.Consideringthesheernumberofstarswhohavecrossedherpathoverthepast60yearsorso,it’snowondershehaslearnedtheartofkeepingherconversationsbrief—acharactertraitmemorializedinaBeatlesditty(“HerMajesty’saprettynicegirl,butshedoesn’thavealottosay”).In1965,whenshepresentedeachofthefourBeatleswithMBEhonors,orMemberoftheOrderoftheBritishEmpire,JohnLennonrecalledthatsheaskedhim,“Haveyoubeenworkinghardlately?”Then,turningtoPaulMcCartney,sheasked,“Haveyoubeentogetherlong?”RingoStarrjokedthatthebandhadbeentogether40years.“Andthenshelaughed,”rememberedPaul.“Weallhadalittlelaugh.”Shehasbeenfascinatedbyperformersfromanearlyage.Accordingtoa1945UnitedPresswiredispatch,19-year-oldPrincessElizabethfavoredthecrooningofBingCrosby(“AccentuatethePositive”wasafavoriteofhers),themusicofColePorterandJeromeKern,andthemoviesofBetteDavis,NormaShearer,andGreerGarson.Thesedaysherinteractionswithpopculturestarsmostlikelycomeaboutbecausesheissupportingacharitybenefitinghersubjects.Thatdoesnotmeanshekeepsupwithallthemajornamesinentertainment,despitehavingshakenthehandsofHughJackman,JenniferLopez,AngelinaJolie,KevinSpacey,ReneeZellweger,andJimCarreyinrecentyears.MadonnarecalledthepremiereoftheJamesBondmovieDieAnotherDay,whenthequeenmetJohnCleese—who,asamemberofMontyPythonandthestarofFawltyTowersdefinedBritishcomedyfordecades.Elizabethtookhishandandwarmlyinquired:“Andwhatdoyoudo?”Nomatter,thestarsstillloveher.AsMcCartneysaidaftermeetingherallthoseyearsago,“She’slovely...veryfriendly.”

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CLOSEENCOUNTERSOFTHESHOWBIZKINDThestarsmaychange,butthequeen’sfirmhandshakeremainsconstant.ElizabethmeetsRussiandancerSergeiTszvetkovandHsuChuHua,leaderoftheChineseBallet,in1955;LadyGagain2009;PaulMcCartneyandAnnieLenoxin2012;andCatherineDeneuve(withChristopherLee,UrsulaAndress,WoodyAllen,andRaquelWelchto

Deneuve’sleft)in1966.

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AREGALIMITATORANDTWOSECRETAGENTSHelenMirrenportrayedElizabethin2006’sTheQueenandgreetedElizabethataBuckinghamPalacereceptionin2014,below.

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Forthe2012SummerOlympics,thequeenjoinedDanielCraiginaJamesBondspoofshownat

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ThetwohadmetattheLondonpremierofCasinoRoyalein2006.

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ShemettheoriginalfilmBond,SeanConnery,withhiswife,attheYouOnlyLiveTwicepremierein1967.

THEQUEENTODAY

“Shehasservedthiscountrywithanunerringgrace,dignityanddecency.”

—PRIMEMINISTERDAVIDCAMERON,SEPTEMBER9,2015

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COUNTRYCOMFORTATHERSCOTTISHRETREATThequeentreasuresherlatesummergetawaysatBalmoral,adrafty30-roombaronialcastleprivatelyownedbyherfamilysince1852.(ItwaspurchasedbyPrinceAlbertforQueenVictoria.)Theestateincludesworkingfarmland,moors,

andforests.

IfQueenElizabethhasanyplanstoslowdownattheageof90,sheisnotshowingherhand.ConsiderherscheduleforthefirstweekofFebruarythisyear.OnMonday,February1,ElizabethvisitedtheRoyalAirForcebaseinNorfolk,dinedatanairmen’smess,andviewedanexhibitdetailingthebase’shistory.OnFebruary4,sheofficiallyopenedahospiceinHillington,metthestaff,trustees,andvolunteers,andspenttimewiththerapypatients.February5calledforameetingandlunchwiththeemirofKuwait.SheattendedservicesattheChurchofSt.PeterandSt.PaulinWestNewtononFebruary7,andpresentedprizesfor

PeterandSt.PaulinWestNewtononFebruary7,andpresentedprizesforchildren’schurchattendance.Lastyearalone,ElizabethvisitedGermanyinJune,receivedavisitfromPresidentXiJinpingofChinaatBuckinghamPalaceinOctober,presidedoveraBritishCommonwealthmeetinginMaltainNovember,andtooktimetowriteBritishastronautMajorTimothyPeakeanoteashejoinedtheInternationalSpaceStationinorbit,wishinghim“aproductivemissionandasafereturntoEarth.”(Herofficeisbigonnotes—almosteveryBritishcitizenwhoreachestheageof100andeverycouplecelebrating60yearsofmarriagegetsonefromher.)

SPLASHNEWSACCLAIMCOMESINMANYFORMSHerDiamondJubilee—honoring60yearsonthethrone—elicitedresponsesbothhumorousandecstaticin2012.Ateamofgardenerscreatedtwo11-foot-tall

terra-cottaflowerpotsintheimageofElizabethandPhilipinLondonfortheoccasion

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Some650schoolchildrencheeredforHerMajestyinGravesend,KentonMay31;and,below,achildofferedthequeenabouquetoutsideHaymarketMemorialClockTowerinLeicesteronMarch8.

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Soshekeepsbusy.Elizabeth’sdayusuallybeginsat7:30eachmorningwithabath,followedbyasimplebreakfastofcornflakesorSpecialK,toppedwithapricots,prunes,ormacadamianuts,andacupofTwiningsEnglishBreakfasttea(milk,nosugar).Sometimesherhusbandpreferstoeatearlier,soshekeepsbusyatthebreakfasttablereadingnewspapers—includingtheRacingPost,tokeepuponhorseracing—andlistenstotheBBCradio’sTodayprogram.Shethenscanshercorrespondence(eachdaythequeenreceivesbetween200and300letters),readsafewherselfandtellsmembersofherstaffhowshewould

likethemanswered.Nextup:areviewoftheofficialpapersanddocumentssentherwayfromgovernmentministersandherrepresentativesinforeigncountries.Shealsomakestimefor10-to20-minuteaudienceswithambassadors,commissioners,andotherofficials.Lunch,servedatonep.m.,typicallyincludesgrilledDoversoleonabedofwiltedspinach;anafternoonsnackmightincludeEarlGreyteawithasamplingofcakes,scones,andsandwicheswiththecrustscutoff.Herafternoonsareoftenspentonpublicengagements,includingvisitstoschools,hospitals,factories,militarybases,artgalleries,andshelters.Dinner?PerhapspheasantfromtheSandringhamestateorvenisonorsalmonfromBalmoral.Andyes,shedoesrelax.There’stendingtoherhorsesanddogs,ofcourse.Shedelightsinhaving“tiaratime,”usingtinytoolstotweakherjewels;she’sfondofwatchingDowntonAbbey,andwhileshe“can’tstand”opera,shelovestolistentobigbandmusicandshowtunes.“Herfavoritesong,whichsheandPhilipcall‘theirsong,’is‘PeopleWillSayWe’reinLove’fromOklahoma!,”saysBrianHoey,herlongtimebiographer.

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EASYLIESTHEHEADTHATWEARSTHESECHAPEAUXThequeenregardsherheadwearasakeypartofeveryroyalappearance.“She’sveryconsciousofherhats,”PhilipSomerville,oneofHerMajesty’sofficialmilliners,toldPeoplein1996.“Shewantsthemtofittheoutfitperfectly.”Shedoesnotmindrecyclingthemwithnewscarvesorribbons.Hatsnotretrimmed,reworn,orhandeddowntorelativesmayendupinstorageatBuckinghamPalace.“Shewearsthemmany,manytimes,”

saysaspokesman,“soshedoesn’thaveasmanyasyoumightimagineforoneofherstature.”

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Sheisnotlookingforafussonherspecialday,butshewillgetoneanyway.Candleswillnotsufficewhencelebratingsuchanoccasion.SoonApril21,2016,her90thbirthday,thepeopleofGreatBritainwilllightbeaconsontopofmountainsandchurchsteeples,onfarmsandonvillagegreens,inparksandalongthenation’sshores.MembersoftheArmyCadetForce,representing

alongthenation’sshores.MembersoftheArmyCadetForce,representingBritain’syouth,willilluminatelanternsonthetopsofthefourhighestpeaksinthecountriesoftheUnitedKingdom—BenNevis,Scotland;MountSnowdon,Wales;ScafellPike,England;andSlieveDonard,NorthernIreland.InScotland,thequeen’sBalmoralEstatewillofferfreecupcakestovisitors.IncentralLondon,pertradition,herbirthdaywillbepubliclymarkedbygunatmidday:a41-gunsaluteinHydeParkanda62-gunsaluteattheTowerofLondon;therewillalsobea21-gunsaluteinWindsorGreatPark.

PHOTOGRAPH©HARRYBENSON2010

Aphotographicportraitfrom2010inEdinburgh,Scotland.

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LARGERTHANLIFEElizabethisjoinedatBuckinghamPalacebyCanada’sPrimeMinisterStephenHarperfortheunveilingofa10.3-by-7.3-footportraitofherselfbyCanadianartistPhil

RichardsonJune6,2012.TheportraitnowresidesinRideauHall,hometothequeen’srepresentativeinOttawa,Ontario.

ElizabethherselfwilllightaceremonialfirstbeaconsomewhereclosetoWindsorCastle.ShewillmostlikelyalsoengageinaRoyalWalkabout—herpracticeofstrollinginpublicplacestoallowthepublictocatchaglimpseofher.Furthercelebrationsthatdaywillbeprivate.InkeepingwiththeBritishcustomofmovingofficialcelebrationdatestomonthswhentheweatherhasachanceofbeingalittlenicer,moreformalobservationsofthequeen’s90thbirthdaywilltakeplaceinMayandJune.Kickingoffthefestivitieswillbea90-minuteextravaganza,runnightlyfromMay12to15,dedicatedtoElizabeth’sloveofanimals.Morethan900horsesand1,500participantsfromFijitoCanadatoChiletoAustraliawillparticipate.Lesttheybeforgotten,theshowwillalsotakenoteofElizabeth’saffectionforherdogs—andevenpaytributetoHerMajesty’sracingpigeons.ElizabethisthepatronoftheRoyalPigeonRacingAssociationandownsaround200birds,someforbreedingbutmostforracing.

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CELEBRATINGAN88THBIRTHDAYINSTYLEElizabethandPhiliprodefromBuckinghamPalaceduringLondon’sannualTroopingtheColourceremony,officiallymarkingher88thbirthdayonJune14,2014.Theceremonydatestothe17thcentury,whenthecolors(flags)ofabattalionwere

carried(or“trooped”)downtherankssothattheycouldbeseenbysoldiers.

ThecelebrationcontinueswithaserviceatSt.Paul’sCathedralinLondononJune10.Thecongregationwillconsistonlyofinvitedguests,buttheservicewillbetelevised.Thedayalsohappenstobethe95thbirthdayofElizabeth’shusband,Philip,theDukeofEdinburgh—amanwhohasmadeitquiteclearthathedoesnotwantanypublicnoticeoftheoccasion.Atraditionalbirthdaymilitaryparade,calledTroopingtheColour,occursthefollowingdayinLondon’sWhitehallneighborhood.Later,membersoftheroyalfamilywillappeartogetheronthebalconyofBuckinghamPalace,givingthepublicanotheropportunitytoseeHerMajestyinperson.Thebirthdayfestivitieswindupthefollowingday,Sunday,June12,withthePatron’sLunch,astreetfestivalandpicnicluncheonforabout10,000payingguestsalongtheMallleadingtoBuckinghamPalace.Theevent,organizedbythequeen’seldestgrandchild(PeterPhillips,the38-year-oldsonofPrincessAnne)hasdrawnsomeflackforitsticketpriceof$215.“Ithadbetterbegood”forthatprice,thunderedTheTimesofLondon.Phillipsdefendedthecost,sayingallprofitswouldgotocharity.“Wehadtoshowthatthiswasn’tacaseoftryingtocutcornersbecausethequeenhappenstobemygrandmother,”hesaid.Thequeen,ofcourse,isaboveanysuchcontroversy.AndsoshecontinuestoruleGreatBritain,lettingneitheragenorarapidlychangingworlddetractfromdoingtheworkshewasborntodo.After64yearsonthethrone,shecontinuestodevoteseveralhourseachdaytoreadingofficial

onthethrone,shecontinuestodevoteseveralhourseachdaytoreadingofficialgovernmentpapersplacedinherbatteredredleatherdispatchboxes;shestilltravelsfrequently,andconsidersitherdutytoprepareforlocalluncheonsandribbon-cuttingceremoniesasdevotedlyasshewouldforastatedinnerattendedbyleadersofthefreeworld.Andsheremainsaforceforgood,offeringmessagesofinspirationandoptimismineventhemosttryingtimes.“There’sanoldsayingthat‘itisbettertolightacandlethancursethedarkness,’”Elizabethsaidinher2015Christmasmessage.“Therearemillionsofpeoplelightingcandlesofhopeinourworldtoday.”Thequeen“hasbeenarockofstabilityinanerainwhichourcountryhaschangedsomuch,”notesBritain’sPrimeMinisterDavidCameron.“Andwecouldnotbemoreproudofher.Shehasservedthiscountrywithunerringgrace,dignity,anddecency,andlongmayshecontinuetodoso.”

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ADRAMATICSALUTEABOVETHEPALACEBritain’sRedArrows,theRoyalAirForce’sflightdemonstrationsquad,joinedwell-wishersbelowincelebratingthequeen’sofficial89thbirthdayonJune13,2015.Theroyalfamily,includingthequeen’s23-month-oldgreat-grandson,PrinceGeorge,

lookedoutfromthebalconyofBuckinghamPalace.

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AFAMILYGATHERINGFORTHEQUEEN’S89THInanotherview,Camilla,DuchessofCornwall;Charles,PrinceofWales;PrinceWilliam,DukeofCambridge,holdingPrinceGeorgeofCambridge;Catherine,DuchessofCambridge;QueenElizabethII;PrinceHarry;James,ViscountSevern(PrinceEdward’sson);PrincePhilip;andPrinceAndrewwatchtheRAFflyoveronthe

queen’sbirthdayin2015.

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INLONDON,APROUDTRADITIONCONTINUESElizabethisjoinedbyPrinceCharlesandPrincePhilipattheopeningofParliamentonMay8,2013.HerImperialStateCrowncontains2,868

diamonds,273pearls,17sapphires,11emeralds,andfiverubies.

EDITOR/WRITERLarrySuttonDIRECTOROFPHOTOGRAPHYChristinaLiebermanCREATIVEDIRECTORSharonOkamotoCOPYCHIEFParlanMcGawCOPYEDITORJoelVanLiewPICTUREEDITORRachelHatchWRITERSteveDoughertyWRITER-REPORTERSAmyLennardGoehner,DanielS.LevyPHOTOASSISTANTChristopherManahanDIRECTOROFPHOTOGRAPHYEMERITABarbaraBakerBurrowTIMEINC.BOOKSPUBLISHERMargotSchupfASSOCIATEPUBLISHERAllisonDevlinVICEPRESIDENT,FINANCETerriLombardiEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR,MARKETINGSERVICESCarolPittardEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR,BUSINESSDEVELOPMENTSuzanneAlbertEXECUTIVEPUBLISHINGDIRECTORMegan

PearlmanFINANCEDIRECTORKevinHarringtonSALESDIRECTORChristiCrowleyASSOCIATEDIRECTOROFPUBLICITYCourtneyGreenhalghASSISTANTGENERALCOUNSELAndrewGoldbergASSISTANTDIRECTOR,PRODUCTIONSusanChodakiewiczSENIORMANAGER,SALESMARKETINGDanielleCostaSENIORMANAGER,CATEGORYMARKETINGBryanChristianBRANDMANAGERKatherineBarnetASSOCIATEBRANDMANAGERKrystalVenableASSOCIATEPREPRESSMANAGERAlexVoznesenskiyEDITORIALDIRECTORStephenKoeppARTDIRECTORGaryStewartDIRECTOROFPHOTOGRAPHYChristinaLiebermanEDITORIALOPERATIONSDIRECTORJamieRothMajorSENIOREDITORAlyssaSmithASSISTANTARTDIRECTORAnne-MichelleGalleroCOPYCHIEFRinaBanderASSISTANTMANAGINGEDITORGinaScauzilloEDITORIALASSISTANTCourtneyMifsudTIMEINC.PREMEDIARichardK.Prue(Director),RichardShaffer(Production),KeithAurelio,JenBrown,KevinHart,RosalieKhan,PatriciaKoh,MarcoLau,BrianMai,RudiPapiri,ClaraRenauroSPECIALTHANKSBradBeatson,JeremyBiloon,IanChin,RoseCirrincione,PatDatta,NicoleFisher,AlisonFoster,JoanL.Garrison,ErikaHawxhurst,ErinHines,KristinaJutzi,JeanKennedy,SeniquaKoger,HillaryLeary,MelissaPresti,BhavishRai,KateRoncinske,BabetteRoss,DaveRozzelle,KelseySmith,LarryWickerCopyright©2016TimeInc.BooksPublishedbyLIFEBooks,animprintofTimeInc.Books,225LibertyStreet,NewYork,NY10281Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedinanyformorbyanyelectronicormechanicalmeans,includinginformationstorageandretrievalsystems,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher,exceptbyareviewer,whomayquotebriefpassagesinareview.eISBN:978-1-61893-444-4Vol.16,No.6•April1,2016“LIFE”isaregisteredtrademarkofTimeInc.WewelcomeyourcommentsandsuggestionsaboutLIFEBooks.Pleasewritetousat:LIFEBooks,Attention:BookEditorsP.O.Box62310,Tampa,FL33662-2310IfyouwouldliketoorderanyofourhardcoverCollector’sEditionbooks,please

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