In 2017 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate 65 years as Head of the Commonwealth. This milestone gives us all another opportunity to reflect on her long and illustrious reign and to give thanks to Her Majesty, whose steadfastness and commitment to the Commonwealth is exemplary.
When in 1947 Princess Elizabeth celebrated her twenty-first birthday in South Africa she made a broadcast dedicating her life ‘whether it be long or short’ to the service of the Commonwealth. Just five years later, on 6 February 1952, King George VI died and Princess Elizabeth immediately acceded to the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II and taking on all of the responsibilities which came with her new title. Throughout her 65 year reign as Head of the Commonwealth – and Sovereign of 15 Commonwealth realms – she has devoted much of herself to the Commonwealth’s development, helping to nurture this ‘family of nations’…
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