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Timeline: Queen Elizabeth
20/12/2007 14:02 - (SA)
London - Queen Elizabeth II, 81, became Britain's oldest living monarch on Thursday, having outlasted 11 prime ministers.
Following is a series of key dates during her reign.
June 2, 1953: Coronation of Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey. Later broadcast on television, which is itself in its early years, the lavish ceremony marked the beginning of her reign.
1977: To celebrate 25 years of her reign, the Queen toured the countries making up the Commonwealth, travelling some 90 000km. The ceremony in London attracts about 11 million tourists.
1982: For the first time in four and a half centuries, a British monarch - who is the head of the Anglican church - meets with the head of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II.
1992: After a series of scandals and the collapse of the marriages of three of her children - Charles, Anne and Andrew - Elizabeth II publicly admits the difficulties facing the royal family.
On November 20, a fire ravaged part of Windsor Castle. The Queen describes 1992 as an "annus horribilis".
The Queen announces that she will pay tax on her personal revenues, for the first time, and also reduces the cost of the "Civil List" - the total cost of her official duties to the British taxpayer.
1997: In the aftermath of the death of princess Diana, the Queen's coldness contrasted with the outpouring of emotion by the general population. Some observers call for a monarchy that is more human, and closer to the people.
2002: Death of princess Margaret, the Queen's only sister, on February 9, followed by the death of her mother, Elizabeth, the queen-mother and wife of king George VI, on March 30, aged 101.
In June, the Queen's Jubilee - celebrating 50 years since her accession to the throne - is marked by four days of festivities.
2007: The Queen and her husband Prince Philip celebrate 60 years of marriage on November 20.
Since her coronation, Queen Elizabeth II has awarded 387 000 titles or awards, made 256 official state visits to 129 foreign countries, and dealt with 11 prime ministers, from Winston Churchill to Gordon Brown, according to Buckingham Palace.
- AFP
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