The Reign of Queen Elizabeth II: 70 Years on the Throne

Photo By: Shutterstock

The Story
Elizabeth Alexander Mary, most commonly known around the world as Queen Elizabeth II (the second), 96, recently celebrated her Platinum Jubilee.  Having ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952, at just 25 years old, her Majesty the Queen has officially reigned for 70 years, making her the first monarch in British history to achieve this accolade. Although there have been a series of unfortunate events and scandals that have plagued the royal family in recent times such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) stepping down from their duties and leaving the royal family and the UK altogether, the sexual abuse allegations of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and the passing of the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the royals have remained steadfast in their duties of service.
 
In addition, the Queen has faced health challenges of her own, having recently recovered from COVID-19. The concern for her health resulted in her majesty’s decision to forgo a few of events scheduled throughout her Jubilee celebration. Speaking on her influence, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, the Queen’s grandson and future King of England said, “I think I speak for my generation when I say that the example and continuity provided by The Queen is not only very rare among leaders but a great source of pride and reassurance.” Tributes from other world leaders were also relayed to the Queen with President Emmanuel Macron of France saying, “You are the golden thread that binds our two countries, the proof of the unwavering friendship between our nations,” and former US President, Barack Obama saying, “Your life has been a gift, not just to the United Kingdom, but to the world.”
 
Although Prince Harry and Meghan officially stepped down as senior members of the royal family, they returned to the UK to celebrate The Queen’s jubilee where she also met the couple’s daughter, and her great-granddaughter, Lilibet for the first time since her birth in 2021. 
 
 
Abron’s Hot Take
Congratulations are in order! That’s all one can really say when you think about this. Regardless of how you may feel about the royals, whether you like them or not, I think we can all agree that what Queen Elizabeth II has accomplished is extraordinary.  Not to mention, she’s made history by becoming the first monarch to reign for as long as she has and she’s a woman! I think that pretty much defies the antiquated thinking that leadership positions are better served with men at the helm.
 
Hopefully, the lesson learned here is that globally, we embrace women as world leaders. In the US we’ve come pretty close with Hillary Clinton getting the presidential nomination back in 2016, Nancy Pelosi serving as the only female Speaker of the House of Representatives in US history, and with the inauguration of our first female Vice President in Kamala Harris. I don’t see this jubilee as just a celebration in the UK, but as a shining example and global representation of what true leadership and service to country looks like. Congratulations to her majesty The Queen. I guess Beyoncé was on to something when she declared back in 2011 that girls really do run the world!