Queen Elizabeth II the Record Breaking Monarch

Britain’s Queen set up a new record on 9^th September 2015. The longest reigning queen so far had been Queen Victoria – Elizabeth’s great-great grandmother. She reigned from 1837 to 1901 for 63 years, 226 days, 16 hours and 13 minutes. Pretty long time, isn’t it? But her great-great granddaughter has been reigning even longer. Whether Elizabeth II expected to spend such a long period of time on the throne of Britain, we don’t know. She became queen when she was 25 years old. Now she is 89 years old and is looking forward to celebrating her 90^th birthday next April. A whole nation will celebrate together with her and make her big day even more memorable.

Some facts about Queen Elizabeth II: She was born on 21^st April, 1926. She doesn’t have a surname, but has three first names instead. Her full name is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. She was named Elizabeth after her mother, Alexandra after her paternal great-grandmother and Mary after her paternal grandmother. Her parents are Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother and George VI. Her husband is Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. They got married in 1947. She’s got four children: Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Prince Andrew, Duke of York. She has eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren among them Britain’s favourites, George and Charlotte, Prince and Princess of Cambridge. Her Majesty is the Head of State of the UK and 15 other Commonwealth realms.

The Queen was born at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London in a house which was destroyed by a World War II bomb and was never rebuilt. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. At the time she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and her father, The Duke of York. But it was not expected that her father would become King, or that she would become Queen. In 1930 her sister, Margaret was born and the family of four lived a quiet family life until her grandfather, King George V, died. His eldest son came to the throne as King Edward VIII, but, before the end of the year, King Edward VIII had decided to give up the throne in order to marry the woman he loved, Mrs Wallis Simpson. Upon his abdication, Princess Elizabeth’s father acceded to the throne as King George VI, and in 1937 the two Princesses attended their parents’ coronation in Westminster Abbey.

Her Majesty never went to school. First she was educated at home, later professors of the famous Eton College came to teach her in Buckingham Palace. Princess Elizabeth studied art and music, learned to ride, became a strong swimmer and she speaks excellent French.

On Wednesday, 6 February 1952, Princess Elizabeth received the news of her father’s death and her own accession to the throne, while staying in Kenya. The tour had to be abandoned, and the young Princess flew back to Britain as Queen. She was greeted by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and other officials at the airport. The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. Crowds of people viewed the procession all along the route, despite heavy rain. The ceremony was also broadcast on radio around the world and, at The Queen’s request, on television for the first time.

You would imagine a queen’s life to be all splendour and no duty and responsibility, but the opposite is true. The Queen’s life is full of responsibilities and it’s quite hard work. She’s got public duties, such as ceremonies, receptions and visits within the United Kingdom or abroad. Other duties include reading letters from the public, official papers and briefing notes; audiences with political ministers or ambassadors.

The Queen’s working day begins like many people’s – at her desk. After scanning the daily British newspapers, she reviews her correspondence. Every day about 200-300 letters arrive from the public. She chooses a selection to read herself and tells members of her staff how she would like them to be answered. A series of official meetings or audiences will often follow. The Queen will see a number of important people. In the afternoons she often goes out on public engagements and prepares for each visit by briefing herself on whom she will be meeting and what she will be seeing and doing. The Queen carries out around 430 engagements (including audiences) a year, to meet people, open events and buildings, unveil plaques and make speeches. The Queen’s working day doesn’t stop at the end of the afternoon. Early evening may see a meeting with the Prime Minister. She has a weekly meeting alone with the Prime Minister. This usually takes place on Wednesdays at 6.30 pm. No written record is made of these meetings; neither The Queen nor the Prime Minister talk about what’s discussed between them, as communication between them always remains confidential.

In what little free time Her Majesty has left she has many interests. She is a keen photographer and enjoys taking pictures of her family. She loves horses, horse races and dogs. During her reign she has owned more than 30 corgis starting with Susan, who was a present for her 18th birthday in 1944, and introduced a new breed – the dorgi (a corgi/daschund cross). Every dog of hers that died is buried in the garden of Sandringham Palace with a gravestone on the grave commemorating the beloved pet. She has around 25 horses in training each season and is an enthusiastic attendee of Royal Ascot. Her first pony, a Shetland called Peggy, was given to her by her grandfather King George V when she was 4 years old. She likes watching soap operas, her favourite is Coronation Street. She regularly invites the cast of Coronation Street to one of her parties and has already visited the studio the TV series is filmed in.

Other interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth II:

– She celebrated two birthdays each year: her actual birthday on 21 April and her official birthday on a Saturday in June.

– Madame Tussauds have exhibited 23 different waxworks of Her Majesty to date.

– Elizabeth II was believed to be the only monarch in British history who had been properly trained to change a flat tyre or a spark plug having served in the wartime ATS – Auxiliary Territorial Service – as 2nd Lieutenant Elizabeth Windsor.

– She sent her first email from an army base in 1976. The British Monarchy also have their own Facebook account, which features royal news, photos, videos and speeches but you aren’t allowed to ‘poke’ Her Majesty.

– The Queen sat for over 130 official portraits. Her first was in 1933 when she was just seven-years-old.

– The Queen was the only person in Britain who could drive without a license or number plate on her car.

– Elizabeth had 30 godchildren.

– She sent a message of congratulations to Apollo 11 astronauts for the first moon landing on July 21, 1969. The message was microfilmed and deposited on the moon in a metal container.

– She collected clothing coupons for her wedding dress, true to the spirit of post-war austerity.

– Despite having plenty of earrings to pick from, Queen Elizabeth II was very often seen wearing the same pair. The earrings known as Queen Mary’s Button Earrings, could be spotted on a countless number of images since she had ascended the throne.

– As monarch, Elizabeth legally owned all the thousands of swans that roam and wander around Britain’s waterways.

source: 5 Perc Angol Magazin, October, 2015 

I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last seventy years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”

ELIZABETH R.

source: royal.uk

Listened to by millions of people around the world, it starts with a chorister singing the first verse of ’Once In Royal David’s City’.

The priest who introduced this service to King’s College Chapel exactly 100 years ago was Eric Milner-White.

He had served as a military chaplain in the First World War. Just six weeks after the armistice, he wanted a new kind of service, which with its message of peace and goodwill, spoke to the needs of the times.

2018 has been a year of centenaries. The Royal Air Force celebrated its 100th anniversary with a memorable fly-past demonstrating a thrilling unity of purpose and execution.

We owe them and all our Armed Services the deepest gratitude.

My father served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. He was a midshipman on board HMS Collingwood at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.

The British fleet lost 14 ships and 6,000 men in that engagement.

My father wrote in a letter: “How and why we were not hit, beats me.”

Like others, he lost friends in the war. At Christmas, we become keenly aware of loved ones who have died, whatever the circumstances.

But of course, we would not grieve if we did not love.

Closer to home it has been a busy year for my family.

With two weddings and two babies, and another child expected soon, it helps to keep a grandmother well occupied.

We have had other celebrations too, including the 70th birthday of the Prince of Wales.

Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I’d like to think so.

Perhaps part of that wisdom is to recognise some of life’s baffling paradoxes, such as the way human beings have a huge propensity for good, and yet a capacity for evil.

Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism.

But through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family, and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance.

In April, the Commonwealth Heads of Government met in London. My father welcomed just eight countries to the first such meeting in 1948.

Now the Commonwealth includes 53 countries with 2.4 billion people –  a third of the world’s population.

Its strengths lie in the bonds of affection it promotes, and a common desire to live in a better, more peaceful world.

Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.

Indeed the Commonwealth Games, held earlier this year on Australia’s Gold Coast, are known universally as the friendly games because of their emphasis on goodwill and mutual respect.

The Christmas Story retains its appeal since it doesn’t provide theoretical explanations for the puzzles of life.

Instead, it is about the birth of a child, and the hope that birth 2,000 years ago brought to the world.

Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when he was born, now billions follow him.

I believe this message of peace on Earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone – it’s needed as much as ever.

A very Happy Christmas to you all.

A new rail line under London is to be named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.

Developers say the project known as Crosssrail will be named the Elizabeth Line when it opens in December 2018. When it is finished, the line will run for more than 60 miles (100 kilometers) from east to west, including a 13-mile (21-kilometer) underground stretch through London.

The monarch, who turns 90 in April, unveiled a sign with the purple “Elizabeth Line” logo on a visit to a Crossrail tunnel on Tuesday.

Several London transit lines already have royal connections. The Jubilee subway line was named in honor of Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee marking 25 years on the throne in 1977, while the Victoria Line and Victoria railway station are named after Queen Victoria.

The announcement was made by London Mayor Boris Johnson as the Queen visited the construction site at Bond Street station.

Her Majesty is often spotted catching the train at King’s Cross when returning to her country estate in Sandringham at Christmas. She unveiled the purple Elizabeth line logo which will feature across the network, in an Angela Kelly lilac wool crepe dress with matching coat and hat for the occasion. After greeting representatives, The Queen was taken in an industrial lift to the site 92ft below ground, where she viewed part of the railway tunnel and met construction apprentices dressed in bright orange jackets and trousers.

source: dailymail.co.uk

The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year: her actual birthday on 21 April and her official birthday on a Saturday in June, when Her Majesty is joined by other members of the Royal Family at the spectacular Trooping the Colour parade which moves between Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Horse Guards Parade. Official celebrations to mark Sovereigns’ birthday have often been held on a day other than the actual birthday, particularly when the actual birthday has not been in the summer. In May or June there’s a better chance of good weather.

This military ceremony dates back to the early 18^th century or earlier, when the colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (or ‘trooped’) down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers. Since 1748, this parade has also marked the Sovereign’s official birthday. From the reign of Edward VII (1901-1910) onwards, the Sovereign has taken the salute in person at Trooping the Colour. During the ceremony, The Queen is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops.

Her Majesty then joins other members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony for a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. The Queen has attended Trooping the Colour every year of her reign, except in 1955 when a national rail strike cancelled the event. In 1981, Queen Elizabeth II was shot at during the ceremony by a seventeen-year-old, who said he had done this to become famous. The Queen was unharmed, as he used blank shots, but Marcus Sarjeant was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

The processions can be seen from the Mall. Events begin at approximately 10am, with the fly-past at 1pm. The parade is also broadcast live on the BBC in the UK.

source: www.royal.gov.uk

official birthday – hivatalos születésnap
Her Majesty – Őfelsége
spectacular – látványos
to mark a birthday – születésnapot megünnepelni
to date back to – visszanyúlni
flag – zászló
battalion – zászlóalj
reign – uralkodás
to take the salute – tisztelgést fogadni
to carry out – elvégezni
inspection – szemle, ellenőrzés
the troops – katonai csapatok
fly-past – légiszemle
to attend – részt venni eseményen
rail strike – vasúti sztrájk
to be shot at – rálőnek
to be unharmed – sértetlen
blank shot – vaktöltény
procession – felvonulás
to broadcast – közvetíteni 

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