INSIDE:
ICONIC PORTRAITS
FAVOURITE PLACES
ROYAL LOVE STORY
CROWNS & GOWNS
INSIDER INSIGHTS
CENTENARY EVENTS
ROYAL HOMES
A CENTENARY CELEBRATION
Coronation
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953 in a ceremony of pomp and splendour. We tell the story of this momentous day in her life
WORDS LAURA SILVERMAN
RETREATS ROYAL
Buckingham Palace is the monarch's main official residence, but these are the historic houses and palaces where the late Queen felt most at home
WINDSOR CASTLE
For many decades Windsor Castle was a weekend home for the Queen; within easy reach of London, it was a place to retreat from the demands of the capital. During the coronavirus pandemic and especially after the death of Prince Philip, the Queen chose increasingly to spend time at the more secluded Windsor Castle, and considered it her main home in her nal years. The Queen spent much time at Windsor since her childhood, and it remains dotted with framed photos of family members.
The magni cent castle overlooks the gardens of the East Lawn Terrace. The then Princess Elizabeth spent most of the war years at Windsor Castle and grew vegetables in the gardens. Also in the grounds is Y Bwthyn Bach (‘The Little House’), a miniature thatched cottage, complete with running water, electric lighting and handmade furnishings, which was given to Princess Elizabeth on her 6th birthday by the people of Wales. A favourite of the young princesses, it went on to be used by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. HOW TO VISIT Windsor Castle is open to visitors Thursday to Monday. You can explore the Chapel (Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) and the State Apartments, and see the Changing the Guard ceremony (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11am). rct.uk
The Golden Jubilee
4 June 2002
Queen Elizabeth II’s reign was gilded by landmarks and celebrations. In 2002, the Golden Jubilee marked half a century on the throne and saw the Queen and Prince Philip undertake extensive tours of the UK and the Commonwealth, from the Caribbean to the Isle of Skye.
Celebrations culminated in a four-day Golden Jubilee weekend in London that included a classical concert in the garden of Buckingham Palace, musical performances by Sirs Elton John and Paul McCartney, a flypast by Concorde and the Red Arrows (the RAF’s display team), and a thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral that the Queen attended in the Gold State Coach – an ornate horse-drawn carriage that was commissioned for King George III in 1760.
Did you know?
160,000 cups of tea were served at the Queen’s Jubilee garden parties
MAJESTY Pageantry &
The grand state funeral for Britain’s longest-serving monarch drew on royal traditions and ceremonies that date back centuries
WORDS ROSE SHEPHERD
