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Thursday, 2 February 2012
The King has been dead for 60 years
EXACTLY 60 years ago this week, King George VI died and his daughter, Princess Elizabeth, instantly became Queen.
The Queen came to the throne on 6 February 1952, although her coronation – or crowning – didn’t take place until 2 June 1953.
This year there will be Diamond Jubilee celebrations, marking the Queen’s 60 years on the throne, both in Britain and overseas, especially over the Diamond Jubilee central weekend (2–5 June).
But how did Princess Elizabeth become Queen?
After her marriage in 1947, Princess Elizabeth began to make visits abroad with her husband, The Duke of Edinburgh.
This way of life didn’t last long, because her father, King George VI, wasn’t well. In 1952, his illness forced him to abandon his planned visit to Australia and New Zealand. Princess Elizabeth took his place.
On Wednesday 6 February 1952, Princess Elizabeth was in Kenya when she received the news of her father’s death. It meant she had immediately ascended the throne to become Queen – leading to the phrase: “The King is dead. Long live the Queen.”
The tour had to be abandoned, and the young Princess flew back to Britain as Queen. She was greeted by Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the airport. The Queen’s coronation took place in Westminster Abbey, but not until 2 June 1953.
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Zorua101 (Age 13) wrote on Thursday, 2 February 2012 @ 17:38
Happy Diamond Jubilee! :)
09AhmedA (Age 13) wrote on Thursday, 2 February 2012 @ 17:45
wow long time
PinkBoden (Age 14) wrote on Thursday, 2 February 2012 @ 19:30
Long Live The Queen! ♥
CHERUB15 (Age 13) wrote on Thursday, 2 February 2012 @ 20:33
60 years on the throne-long live the Queen worked! :)
superdog7 (Age 12) wrote on Friday, 3 February 2012 @ 12:58
that is a long time on the throne! i just got my scout dimond juily badge
Lino_123 (Age 12) wrote on Friday, 3 February 2012 @ 16:46
if i was going to be queen i wouldnt be able to wait that long to be crowned!
shoeless27 (Age 10) wrote on Friday, 3 February 2012 @ 17:43
God save our gracious queeeeeen God save our noble queeeeen God save our queeeeeeeeeen
samz (Age 13) wrote on Friday, 3 February 2012 @ 19:09
well all those long live the queens must of worked
wiz_girl (Age 14) wrote on Friday, 3 February 2012 @ 21:13
She's coming to my town to start off her Jubilee. And she's coming to see my artwork which is going to be on display in the mansion she is visiting. It's to celebrate her jubilee
annacatshe (Age 12) wrote on Saturday, 4 February 2012 @ 11:14
long live the queen
tomo63 (Age 12) wrote on Saturday, 4 February 2012 @ 12:55
the queen is awesome! long live the queen!
sambarose2 (Age 11) wrote on Monday, 6 February 2012 @ 13:12
Long live the awesome queen! And happy Diamond Jubilee! :D
Twilight13 (Age 11) wrote on Monday, 6 February 2012 @ 18:30
Wow. Really? Well long live the queen and happy Diamond Jubilee!
Nintendog8 (Age 10) wrote on Tuesday, 7 February 2012 @ 17:15
(If you want to keep this up, post this message,without saying this part) Long Live the Queen
Nintendog8 (Age 10) wrote on Tuesday, 7 February 2012 @ 17:15
Long live the Queen
clarerose6 (Age 12) wrote on Tuesday, 7 February 2012 @ 17:44
Happy Diamond Jubilee Your Majesty, have a really great year!
Sam121 (Age 7) wrote on Thursday, 9 February 2012 @ 16:12
Happy Diamond Jubilee, Long Live the Queen!You must be sad but don't be you are a Queen and you'll always be one ... to me!! Your my number 1 fan!!! But really is that how long the King was dead? My grandad must of been 5 or 4