On 3 February 1954 the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II stepped ashore in Sydney, becoming the first reigning monarch to visit Australia. Australians turned out in their millions to catch a glimpse of the young Queen. She visited Australia for two months, keeping up a gruelling schedule and it is estimated that almost three-quarters of the Australian population saw the Queen at least once during the visit. From 9 - 18th March she visited Queensland and travelled to Brisbane, Bundaberg, Toowoomba, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton.
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; born 21 April 1926)is Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms. Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth). Her father ascended the throne on the abdication of his brother King Edward VIII in 1936, from which time she was the heir presumptive. She was educated privately at home and began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. In 1947, she married Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, with whom she had four children: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth – then 25 years old – became head of the Commonwealth and queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon. She has reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes, such as devolution in the United Kingdom, accession of the United Kingdom to the European Communities, Brexit, Canadian patriation, and the decolonisation of Africa. Between 1956 and 1992, the number of her realms varied as territories gained independence, and as realms, including South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (renamed Sri Lanka), became republics. Her many historic visits and meetings include a state visit to the Republic of Ireland and visits to or from five popes. Significant events have included her coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees in 1977, 2002, and 2012, respectively. In 2017, she became the first British monarch to reach a Sapphire Jubilee. In 2021, after 73 years of marriage, her husband Prince Philip died at the age of 99. Elizabeth is the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch.
Size: 3012px × 4000px
Location: Australia
Photo credit: © American Photo Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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