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When Elizabeth's father became king, she naturally became the heir. If her parents had later had a son, she would have lost her position as first-in-line, as her brother would have been heir apparent and above her in the line of succession. A 14 year old Elizabeth Alexandra Mary made her first radio broadcast during the World War II addressing other children who had been evacuated from the cities saying, "We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers and airmen, and we are trying to bear our share of the danger and sadness of war. We know, every one of us, that in the end all will be well." At a very young age, Elizabeth was aware of her role as the heir to the throne. She wasn't given the title of Princess because as per the royals a woman can only be a Princess if she has married a Prince.
Elizabeth met and fell in love with her future husband Prince Philip, when she was 13. This came with a share of controversy as Philip had no financial standing, was foreign-born (though a British subject who had served in the Royal Navy throughout the Second World War), and had sisters who had married German noblemen with Nazi links. But, Elizabeth stood by her man back then and stands by him till date, even though their children have had divorces and multiple marriages. On her 21st birthday, she made the following pledge, "I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong." That is exactly what she has been doing till date.
Elizabeth was 26 when her father passed away and was 27 when she was named the Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. She is the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch as well as the world's longest-reigning queen regnant and female head of state, the oldest and longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state. She turns 93 on Sunday, 21st April, and yet she has not freed herself from her duties. The Queen is a patron of over 600 organizations and charities and she's the most widely traveled head of state.
The Queen loves riding and horse racing. She has also escaped a couple of assassination attacks, but never gone into hiding. She's a really strong woman with complete grip on her family and her people. The way she conducts herself knowing that the whole world is watching is quite something.
Here's a woman who was forced to grow up and take care of not only her family but also a whole country and she's been acing it for 66 years now.
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I'm participating in the April A to Z Challenge for 2019 and my theme is Wonder Women.
I have watched 2 episodes of Crown and your post has inspired me to watch this series and know all about this dynamic lady!
ReplyDeleteI need to get to it too!
DeleteThat comment at the end is so true... She had to grow up at a ridiculously young age. And it is all the more admirable how well she did
ReplyDeleteThey way this woman has handled her life is quite something.
DeleteShe’ sure is one strong lady! I need to catchup with Crown! I was hooked to the series but the. I just forgot about it!
ReplyDeleteShe sure is. I need to start watching it too.
DeleteShe's a strong woman indeed! Taking care of a whole country at such a young age and to have been doing that for so long is so admirable!
ReplyDelete93 and going strong! What a woman!
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