Tag: QUEEN

Categories
-Top News UK News

Intruder breaches Queen’s security near Windsor Castle

A spokesperson for the British Army said the incident is being “thoroughly” investigated…reports Asian Lite News

The British Army is investigating a security breach by an intruder posing as a priest at the barracks for guards who are stationed to protect the Queen at Windsor Castle in south-east England.

On Tuesday, ‘The Sun’ reported that the police were alerted on Wednesday morning after an unknown man spent time at Victoria Barracks in Sheet Street, Windsor. Queen Elizabeth II was at Sandringham Estate for her 96th birthday break.

The barracks are home to “The Coldstream Guards”, recognised by their red jackets and black bearskin hats. The guards have a ceremonial role as protectors of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. The man allegedly spent the previous night eating and drinking with senior officers before being offered a bed for the night, despite showing no identification or credentials.

“This is just an extraordinary breach of security,” the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

“The guy turned up at the gate in the evening and said his name was Father Cruise and claimed to be a friend of the battalion’s Padre Rev Matt Coles. He was invited in and offered something to eat in the Officer’s Mess,” the source said.

“Within a couple of hours, he was drinking with the officers in the bar and telling them stories of how he had served in Iraq. He was telling lots of tall stories and the lads were enjoying his banter and having a few drinks,” the source added.

A spokesperson for the British Army said the incident is being “thoroughly” investigated.

“The Army takes this breach of security extremely seriously and it will be thoroughly investigated as a matter of priority,” the spokesperson said.

“This incident is now part of an ongoing investigation and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this time,” the spokesperson added.

The local Thames Valley Police said: “Officers attended and removed the intruder from the barracks. No further action was required.”

ALSO READ-Modi’s peace appeal to Russia and Ukraine  

Categories
-Top News UK News USA

Trump says Queen should strip Prince Harry, Markle of titles

Donald Trump Says Queen Elizabeth Should Strip Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Of All Royal Titles…reports Asian Lite News

US President Donald Trump has said that UK’s Queen Elizabeth should strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of all their royal titles. In an interview with television host Piers Morgan, which will air on Monday, Trump took aim at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and accused Prince Harry of being “so disrespectful to the country”.

According to a clip shared by Piers Morgan on Twitter, Trump called the Duke an “embarrassment”, adding that the Queen should ban him from even visiting her in Britain and tell him “Frankly, don’t come around”. When asked by the former Good Morning Britain host if he would strip the couple of their royal titles, Trump said, “I would”.

According to HuffPost, Trump, in the same interview, even went on to say that Prince Harry is “whipped like no person I think I’ve ever seen”. He said that he is not a fan of Meghan as well, adding, “I think poor Harry is being led around by his nose.”

Trump said he believes that Prince Harry would get bored of being “bossed around” or Meghan Markle would start linking “some other guy better”, the HuffPost report further said. In the video posted by Morgan, the former US President predicted that Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle will “end bad”. He suggested that the Duke of Sussex might return to royal life on “his hands and knees”.

Donald Trump Says Queen Elizabeth Should Strip Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Of All Royal Titles

Trump predicted that Prince Harrys marriage to Meghan Markle will “end bad”. (File)

Former US President Donald Trump has said that UK’s Queen Elizabeth should strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of all their royal titles. In an interview with television host Piers Morgan, which will air on Monday, Mr Trump took aim at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and accused Prince Harry of being “so disrespectful to the country”.

According to a clip shared by Piers Morgan on Twitter, Mr Trump called the Duke an “embarrassment”, adding that the Queen should ban him from even visiting her in Britain and tell him “Frankly, don’t come around”. When asked by the former Good Morning Britain host if he would strip the couple of their royal titles, Mr Trump said, “I would”.

According to HuffPost, Mr Trump, in the same interview, even went on to say that Prince Harry is “whipped like no person I think I’ve ever seen”. He said that he is not a fan of Meghan as well, adding, “I think poor Harry is being led around by his nose.”

Also Read | “Made Sure She Is Protected”: Prince Harry After Meeting Queen Elizabeth

Mr Trump said he believes that Prince Harry would get bored of being “bossed around” or Meghan Markle would start linking “some other guy better”, the HuffPost report further said. In the video posted by Mr Morgan, the former US President predicted that Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle will “end bad”. He suggested that the Duke of Sussex might return to royal life on “his hands and knees”.

 “I’ve been a very good predictor, as you know. I predicted almost everything. It’ll end and it’ll end bad,” Trump told Morgan.

It is to mention that the full segment of “Piers Morgan Uncensored” is scheduled to air on the Fox Nation streaming service. But it has already grabbed headlines after Morgan said that the former US President walked out of the interview when he confronted him on his election lies. However, Trump later issued a statement about the interview and accused Piers Morgan of “unlawfully and deceptively” editing the clip.

ALSO READ-Trump snubs boring Twitter

Categories
-Top News London News UK News

Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 96th b’day

This year’s official birthday coincides with four days of public events from June 2 to 5 to mark the queen’s record-breaking 70th year on the throne…reports Asian Lite News

Gun salutes will ring out Thursday to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 96th birthday, although the monarch herself was expected to mark the occasion with little fanfare.

It has been a troubled year for Britain’s royal family, with concerns over the queen’s health and questions over the future of the monarchy.

Rounds will be fired from the Tower of London and Hyde Park in the British capital, where a military band will also play “Happy Birthday”.

Royal tradition since the 18th century has also seen the monarch have a second, official birthday, typically celebrated in warmer weather in June.

This year’s official birthday coincides with four days of public events from June 2 to 5 to mark the queen’s record-breaking 70th year on the throne.

British media said the queen has flown by helicopter from her Windsor Castle home, west of London, to her Sandringham country estate in eastern England.

There, she is reported to be spending time at the cottage where her late husband Prince Philip lived after he retired from public life in 2017.

The Daily Mirror quoted an unnamed royal source who said the trip was being viewed as a “positive step” given the queen’s recent health problems.

Since an unscheduled overnight stay in hospital last October, she has cut down massively on public appearances on doctor’s orders.

A back complaint and difficulties standing and walking have seen her cancel a number of engagements, including recent church events to mark Easter.

A bout of Covid-19 in February left her “very tired and exhausted”, she told doctors and patients at the Royal London Hospital during a virtual event earlier this month.

But her grandson Prince Harry told US broadcaster NBC in an interview aired on Wednesday that she was “on great form” when he saw her last week.

The queen was last seen in public at Westminster Abbey in central London on March 29 at a memorial service for Prince Philip, who died last year aged 99.

Health and succession

The queen’s enforced retreat from public life in her Platinum Jubilee year has increased attention on the succession and the monarchy’s future.

Her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, has assumed more of his mother’s responsibilities in preparation to take over the throne.

His popularity has increased in recent years, according to an Ipsos poll of more than 2,000 adults in Britain in March.

But his 43 percent approval rating is still well behind his mother (69 percent), his eldest son Prince William (64 percent) and his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton (60 percent).

Some 42 percent of those surveyed also said they believed Charles, 73, should step aside for William, who turns 40 in June.

Aside from questions about the queen’s health and the succession, the royals have rarely been off the newspaper front pages due to a succession of scandals.

Last month there was controversy after the queen’s disgraced second son Prince Andrew supported her at Prince Philip’s memorial service.

In February, he settled a US civil claim for sexual assault that had earlier seen him stripped of his honorary royal military titles and charitable roles.

ALSO READ-Boris says he will fight next election

Categories
-Top News London News UK News

Queen and family pay tribute to Philip

The service was the first major event this year attended by the Queen Elizabeth, who travelled by car from Windsor Castle with Prince Andrew, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family have joined a memorial service to celebrate the life of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Her son the Duke of York – in his first public appearance since settling a civil sex assault case – accompanied her to Westminster Abbey, the BBC reported.

Prince Philip, who died last year aged 99, was described as a “remarkable man” committed to “down-to-earth” causes.

The service was organised as Covid rules meant his funeral, held almost a year ago, had only 30 people present.

Representatives of many of his charities – including the Duke of Edinburgh Award – attended Tuesday’s service, which had 1,800 people in attendance, according to the BBC report.

It was the first major event this year attended by the 95-year-old monarch, who travelled by car from Windsor Castle with Prince Andrew.

There had been doubts she would attend, and she only made the final decision in the hours before the service.

The Queen has had mobility problems and had to pull out of the Commonwealth Service earlier this month. She also tested positive for Covid in February.

Special measures were put in place for her comfort, including keeping the length of the service to 45 minutes.

Unlike the funeral in Windsor last April, where the Queen was poignantly pictured sitting alone, she had close family members in all the seats around her.

The Queen and Prince Philip’s two elder children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, were sitting in the same row as her.

Prince William and his wife Catherine were in the row directly behind along with two of the Queen’s great-grandchildren, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The Queen’s other two sons, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, also had front row seats, across the aisle from the Queen.

But Prince Harry, who has been in a legal dispute over the provision of security, did not travel from California, where he lives.

Political leaders including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were among the guests, as were representatives from European royal families, including from the duke’s native Greece.

The service was stamped with the personality of Prince Philip, with many of the elements originally intended for his funeral at St George’s Chapel included.

Meanwhile, the Queen had chosen to be accompanied by her son Prince Andrew to her seat in Westminster Abbey despite the Epstein scandal.

Prince Andrew cheerfully waved at photographers as he and the Queen skipped several royal receptions and returned to Windsor Castle in the afternoon.    

The social media witnessed rage from the users seeing Prince Andrew escorting his mum, the Queen, to her seat in Westminster Abbey.

Prince Andrew had earlier agreed to a multi-million-dollar legal settlement with a woman who accused him of raping her when she was a teenager. In January, the Buckingham Palace had announced that Duke of York Prince Andrew’s military affiliations and royal patronages had been returned to the Queen.

The Duke of York held several honorary military titles following a 22-year service in the Royal Navy.

Andrew is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

ALSO READ-Queen holds virtual meeting with Indian High Commissioner

Categories
-Top News COVID-19 UK News

Queen Elizabeth tests positive for Covid 19

British Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for Covid-19, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Sunday…reports Asian Lite News

Queen Elizabeth II tested positive on Sunday for Covid-19 but aides said her symptoms were “mild”, as politicians wished Britain’s longest-serving monarch a rapid recovery in her 70th year on the throne.

In what is meant to be a banner year of Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the news comes at a stressful time for the 95-year-old queen with scandals stalking her two eldest sons, Charles and Andrew.

It is also ill-timed for the UK government, in a week when embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to declare a victory of sorts over the pandemic by announcing the scrapping of remaining legal restrictions in England.

The queen’s heir Prince Charles, 73, tested positive for a second time for the coronavirus on February 10, two days after meeting his mother at Windsor Castle, west of London.

The queen — who is believed to be triple-vaccinated — resumed in-person audiences at the castle last week, but complained to one attendee of suffering from stiffness and was photographed holding a walking stick.

Announcing her first positive test, a Buckingham Palace statement said: “Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week.

“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”

It issued a later statement in which the monarch sent her “warmest congratulations” to the British women’s and men’s curling teams, after they won gold and silver medals respectively at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

“I’m sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from Covid and a rapid return to vibrant good health,” Johnson tweeted, as members of his cabinet sent their own best wishes.

Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour party, tweeted: “Get well soon, Ma’am.”

‘Symbol of the nation’

Among well-wishers gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London, cancer scientist Pasquale Morese said it was “sad” news.

“She’s a symbol of the nation,” he said. “She’s boosted and everything, so she should be alright, hopefully.”

With the infection coming two months before the queen turns 96, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said: “There will be concerns because of her age, no doubt about that.

“But the queen by nature is stoic. I think she’s someone who looks at things in a very, very positive way,” he said, anticipating “reasonably regular updates” from the palace.

Queen Elizabeth has generally enjoyed robust health over her long life, but an unexplained issue saw her spend a night in hospital last October.

Nationwide celebrations to mark her Platinum Jubilee are due to be held in June, after she marked 70 years on the throne on February 6.

The Covid scare comes with the royal family mired in difficulties, including tensions with Charles’s second son Prince Harry, who now lives in California with his wife Meghan.

ALSO READ-Africa registers 11.1 million Covid cases

Categories
-Top News UK News

Queen will return to normal duties after short break

Buckingham Palace said the queen, who spent the occasion at her Sandringham residence in east England, had now returned to her Windsor Castle home where she will resume her official duties…reports Asian Lite News

Queen Elizabeth, who celebrated the 70th anniversary of her accession to the British throne over the weekend, will be returning to normal duties, a Buckingham Palace source said on Monday, having been advised to take it easy by her doctors.

The 95-year-old, the world’s oldest and longest-reigning monarch, has been little seen in public since she spent a night in hospital last October for an unspecified ailment, and was then instructed by her medical team to rest.

On Sunday, she became the first British sovereign to spend seven decades on the throne in a dynasty that traces its origins back almost 1,000 years to Norman King William I and his 1066 conquest of England.

Buckingham Palace said the queen, who spent the occasion at her Sandringham residence in east England, had now returned to her Windsor Castle home where she will resume her official duties.

Despite her advancing years and the loss of her husband Prince Philip last year, she has continued to perform high-profile engagements, and a palace source said she would now resume her routine of audiences and meetings, both in person and virtually.

She is expected to attend three engagements in person in March: a diplomatic reception at Windsor Castle, the Commonwealth Service at London’s Westminster Abbey, and a service of thanksgiving at the same venue for the life of Philip, her husband of 73 years who died aged 99 last April.

“I was blessed that in Prince Philip I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it. It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father’s reign,” Elizabeth said in a message to the nation to mark her 70th anniversary of becoming queen.

“I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.”

Elizabeth also chose the occasion to give her blessing to Camilla, the second wife of son and heir Prince Charles, becoming Queen Consort when he succeeds her.

ALSO READ-Prince Charles leads tribute to Queen  

Categories
London News UK News

Prince Charles leads tribute to Queen  

A smiling portrait of the queen, surrounded by the royal coat of arms and her year of accession 1952 to the present year 2022 marks the Platinum Jubilee on the pieces…reports Asian Lite News

Britain’s Prince Charles led tributes to his mother, Queen Elizabeth, on the 70-year anniversary of her accession to the throne on Sunday, saying it was an opportunity for the country to unite and celebrate her service to the nation.

Charles also thanked the queen for her statement on Saturday that she hoped the heir to the throne’s wife, Camilla, would become Queen Consort when he becomes king.

“We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother’s wish,” he said in a statement. “As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.

“The year of this unprecedented Platinum Jubilee brings an opportunity for us all to come together in celebrating the service of The Queen, by whose example we will continue to be led in the years to come.”

Typo on souvenir raises eyebrows

A spelling mistake on the souvenirs manufactured to mark Queen Elizabeth II‘s 70th year of accession to the British throne has grabbed attention. The error has been printed on thousands of commemorative tea sets, mugs and decorative plates, reported the BBC.

A smiling portrait of the queen, surrounded by the royal coat of arms and her year of accession 1952 to the present year 2022 marks the Platinum Jubilee on the pieces.

However, instead of “To Commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II” the plaque reads “To Commemorate the Platinum Jubbly of Queen Elizabeth II”.

The pieces were produced at a factory in Changzhou in China, as per The Sun report. Wholesale Clearance UK agreed to buy the pieces, which have been advertised as “Queens Platinum Jubliee (Jubbly) Souvenir Stock with Slight Typo Mistake”.

Karl Baxter, the Clearance website boss, was quoted as saying by the BBC that he will pitch them as collectors’ items “in classic Del Boy-style”. “What could be more unique than our limited-edition misprinted crockery?” he said.

The 10,800 items have been offered for 32,400 pounds instead of 323,892 pounds with a 90 per cent discount. Interestingly, the Wholesale Clearance UK website has brought a sitcom connection for the sale. “Become an Only Fools and Horses fan and wow your friends with your Lovely Jubbly set!” the website says.

The royal.uk website states that the queen will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. She took to the throne on February 6, 1952, at the age of 25.

ALSO READ-Queen joins select group of longest-reigning monarchs

Categories
-Top News UK News

Queen joins select group of longest-reigning monarchs

Queen Elizabeth II reign has been surpassed by just two other major monarchs in recorded history — France’s 17th-century ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV and Thailand’s King Bhumibol, reports Asian Lite News

At the grand old age of 95, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is the world’s longest-reigning living monarch.

Her reign has been surpassed by just two other major monarchs in recorded history — France’s 17th-century “Sun King” Louis XIV and Thailand’s King Bhumibol.

Here are the world’s longest known reigns:

France’s Louis XIV

The “Sun King” Louis XIV, who reigned for 72 years between 1643 and 1715, is the longest-reigning monarch on record.

Born in 1638, Louis ascended to the throne at the age of four. As well as making France Europe’s preeminent power after three major wars, he was a gifted ballet dancer. He married twice and built the immense Palace of Versailles near Paris.

Thailand’s King Bhumibol

The modern record is held by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, crowned under the name of Rama IX in June 1946.

The widely revered monarch died in October 2016 at the age of 88. His seven turmoil-laden decades on the throne were marked by a communist insurgency, coups and street protests, throughout which he was seen as a figure of constancy.

Elizabeth II

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II inherited the throne on February 8, 1952 at the age of 25 after the death of her father, George VI.

She still reigns over another 14 nations in the Commonwealth as well as heading the organisation, which takes in a third of humanity.

Elizabeth II will overtake King Bhumibol Adulyadej as the longest-reigning modern monarch if she is still on the throne on June 12, 2022.

Austria‘s Franz Josef I

Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph reigned for nearly 68 years between 1848 and 1916.

The head of the powerful Habsburg dynasty ruled over a multi-ethnic realm with more than 50 million people. Seen as both a custodian of imperial glory and the tragic figure responsible for its decline, many also blame him for World War I.

Britain’s Queen Victoria

Queen Elizabeth’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, reigned for almost 64 years from 1837 until 1901 when the British Empire was at its height and gave her name to the Victorian age.

Japanese Emperor Hirohito died in January 1989 at the age of 87 after reigning for 62 years.

Initially seen as a demigod, questions remain over his role in Japanese expansionism before and during World War II.

After the war, he became a mere figurehead as his nation drew close to the United States and for long became the world’s second-largest economy.

ALSO READ-Queen marks 70 years on throne

Categories
-Top News London News UK News

Queen wants Prince Charles’ wife to be known as ‘Queen consort’

Charles has always been adamant his “darling wife” should receive the title, The Times reported citing a source, with a spokesperson for the couple saying Saturday they were “touched and honoured” by the news…reports Asian Lite News

Queen Elizabeth II has announced that she wants Camilla, the wife of her heir Prince Charles, to ultimately be known as Queen Consort, as she became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades Sunday.

The 95-year-old said she hoped her daughter-in-law will be known as Queen Consort when Charles accedes to the throne, in a remarkable journey to public acceptance for Camilla after being vilified for her role in the break-up of Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana.

Addressing the nation in a written statement on the eve of the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, the Queen said that when Charles becomes monarch she hoped the British people would give him and Camilla “the same support that you have given me”.

Charles and Camilla, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, had a highly publicised relationship that ended their previous marriages and there had been doubts over whether the public would accept her.

They married in 2005, with a royal announcement that Camilla would become known as Princess Consort due to the sensitivity of the issue, but she gradually won plaudits as the future king’s loyal wife.

Charles has always been adamant his “darling wife” should receive the title, The Times reported citing a source, with a spokesperson for the couple saying Saturday they were “touched and honoured” by the news.

Tireless service

Britain’s Sunday newspapers swiftly put the story on their front pages.

“Camilla WILL become Queen,” wrote the Daily Mail, while The Sunday Times said “Queen anoints Queen Camilla”, saying the move ended “years of controversy and confusion over Camilla’s future title”.

The announcement came as Elizabeth II began her Platinum Jubilee in subdued fashion at Sandringham in eastern England, the 20,000-acre (8,100-hectare) estate near the north Norfolk coast which is close to her heart.

Four days of festivities are planned for early June, coinciding with the anniversary of her 1953 coronation, including a military parade and music concert, street parties, a nationwide “Big Jubilee Lunch” and a “Platinum Pudding Competition”.

On Monday, there will be ceremonial gun salutes in London’s Green Park, close to Buckingham Palace, and at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland — traditionally not held at weekends.

Britain’s longest-serving monarch acceded to the throne aged 25 on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father King George VI.

During her reign, she has remained a constant through periods of huge social and political upheaval — a living link to Britain’s post-war and imperial past.

In September 2015, she surpassed Queen Victoria’s 63 years and seven months on the throne and, despite some health concerns over the past year, has appeared determined to continue her record-breaking reign.

Speaking in parliament this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sunday was “a moment of national celebration” while noting it was “a day of mixed emotions for Her Majesty”.

After husband Philip’s death in April last year, the Queen returned to public and official engagements, including hosting world leaders at the G7 summit.

She was forced to slow down on advice from doctors, however, after an overnight hospital stay in October sparked public concern.

Since then, she has largely stayed at Windsor Castle and made few public appearances.

But on Saturday, the Queen held a reception for locals at Sandringham, reportedly her largest in-person public engagement since the autumn health scare.

ALSO READ-Queen marks 70 years on throne

Categories
-Top News UK News

Queen marks 70 years on throne

Queen Elizabeth (Roya;l Family/Twitter)

When she ascended the throne, Josef Stalin, Mao Zedong and Harry Truman were running the Soviet Union, China and the US, respectively, while Winston Churchill was British PM, reports Asian Lite News

Queen Elizabeth marks 70 years on the British throne on Sunday, a milestone never reached by any of her predecessors over the last 1,000 years, and one which only a few monarchs across the globe have ever achieved.

Elizabeth, 95, became the queen of Britain and more than a dozen other realms including Canada, Australia and New Zealand on the death of her father King George VI on Feb. 6, 1952, while she was in Kenya on an international tour.

The news was broken to her by her husband Prince Philip, who died last year aged 99 after more than seven decades by her side.

Elizabeth will mark ‘Accession Day’ in private as is customary, not viewing it as something to celebrate. But there will be four days of national events to mark her Platinum Jubilee in June.

“While it is a moment for national celebration, it will be a day of mixed emotions for Her Majesty as the day also marks 70 years since the death of her beloved father George VI,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament on Wednesday, thanking the monarch for “her tireless service”.

Elizabeth has continued to carry out official duties well into her 90s, but has been little seen in public since she spent a night in hospital last October for an unspecified ailment and was then instructed by doctors to rest.

However, Buckingham Palace on Friday released footage ahead of Sunday’s landmark, showing her viewing items from previous royal jubilees, such as a fan given to her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria to mark her 50th year on the throne in 1887, signed by family, friends and politicians.

Ironically Elizabeth was not destined to be monarch at her birth, and only became queen because her uncle Edward VIII abdicated to be with American divorcee Wallis Simpson. But in 2015, she overtook Victoria as Britain’s longest-reigning sovereign in a line that traces its origin back to Norman King William I and his 1066 conquest of England.

“Inevitably a long life can pass by many milestones – my own is no exception,” Elizabeth said in 2015, adding that the record was not one “to which I have ever aspired”. Her son and heir Prince Charles said it was a moment other people were more excited about than she was.

While small in stature — standing at 5ft 3ins according to reports — she has been a towering figure in Britain for seven decades.

When she ascended the throne, Josef Stalin, Mao Zedong and Harry Truman were running the Soviet Union, China and the United States, respectively, while Winston Churchill was British prime minister.

Including Churchill, she has been served by 14 prime ministers — a quarter of all there have been in Britain since Robert Walpole 300 years ago. During her reign, there have been 14 U.S. presidents, all of whom she has met bar Lyndon Johnson.

ALSO READ-UAE leaders send Jubilee tributes to Queen Elizabeth