11 of the Most Pivotal Moments from the 70-year Reign of Queen Elizabeth

In honor of her Platinum Jubilee and the 70 year reign of Queen Elizabeth, we took a look at the key moments of Her Majesty’s time on the throne, recalling the highs and lows of her monarchy.

Across the weekend of June 2-June 5, the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II will take place across the United Kingdom. This remarkable event honors the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth, making her the longest reigning monarch in the history of the world. Street parties, concerts and official engagements will take place across the United Kingdom, in a joyous tribute to this wonderful achievement.

Throughout the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the world has seen momentous change. From the recovery after the Second World War into the swinging ‘60s, through economic struggles of the ‘70s and the hedonism of the ‘80s, up to the digital age we now live in, she has been a constant figure, an icon that people admire all over the world. Her style and poise inspire others and millions flock to visit her official residences, hoping to catch a glimpse of the gracious lady.

It seemed like the whole world was watching when the young Queen took the throne in 1953. Her coronation took place at Westminster Abbey, where every coronation has taken place since 1066. Queen Elizabeth became the 39th Sovereign to be crowned in the U.K.

This was the first coronation ever to be televised, letting a global audience enjoy all the pomp and circumstance of the occasion. Over 20 million viewers in the U.K. tuned in, leaving the nation almost at standstill. The Coronation Dress was embroidered with the emblems of the United Kingdom and designed by British fashion designer, Norman Hartnell.

See all the sights of London on Insight Vacations’ Best of Britain tour

The Queen’s first official state visit to the Federal Republic of Germany fell on the 20th anniversary of the Second World War. It was significant for many reasons – not only was it the first visit by British royalty since 1913, but it also showed that relations had improved between the two countries since the war. Thousands of Germans lined the streets to welcome her, knowing that her visit would bring a wider acceptance in the global community.

Follow in the Queen’s footsteps on the Best of Germany tour.

Breaking with the lengthy tradition of the public only seeing royals from a distance, or in cars, the Queen undertook her first public walkabout in Sydney. She smiled, chatted to locals and when requested for an autograph by one cheeky boy, she sent it in the post at a later date!

It’s often been reported how much the Queen loves Australia, and it certainly became clear that the feeling was mutual on this exciting occasion. She has visited the country 16 times during her reign.

Go Down Under on Luxury Gold’s Inspiring Australia tour.

Marking 25 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth had her Silver Jubilee at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Her husband, Prince Philip, accompanied her to the event, and the Queen showed her style credentials with a bright pink flowing outfit and a hat bedecked with fabric bells.

As part of the festivities the Queen visited Canada, Australia, New Zealand and took an extensive tour of 36 counties in the United Kingdom, meeting citizens of the Commonwealth where she is head of state.

The event also led to the naming of the Jubilee Underground line in London, which is silver, and the Silver Jubilee bridge across the Mersey between Runcorn and Widness was renamed.

Ride the Silver Jubilee line when you visit London on the Elegance of Great Britain tour.

The Queen became the first British monarch to visit China in 1986, which was of huge diplomatic importance after Great Britain had agreed to return sovereignty over Hong Kong to China two years previously.During her visit she saw the Great Wall of China, the Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an and the Forbidden City.

Although the Queen had remained popular for decades, in 1992 the Royal Family was rocked by some storms. It was the year Prince Charles and Diana split, Prince Andrew and Fergie also separated and the marriage between Princess Anne and Mark Philips ended. Then a few months later, a fire broke out at Windsor Castle, which destroyed over 100 rooms.

Although it was the year of the Ruby Jubilee for the Queen, she acknowledged in her speech that it had been an “annus horribilis”, words she credited to one of her “sympathetic” royal correspondents.

After the “People’s Princess”, Diana, was killed in a car crash in Paris, a nation looked to their Queen for solace. The Queen’s first concern was for her grandchildren, Princes William and Harry, but she soon returned to London from her Scottish residence of Balmoral.

Then she made a rare televised address to the public, where she won many hearts by crediting Diana‘s warmth, her commitment to others and her devotion as a mother.

Visitors of the Country Roads of Scotland tour will pass near the Balmoral Estate.

Sadly, the year the Queen celebrated 50 years of reign, she lost both her mother and her sister within weeks of each other. With the grace and dignity that she has always been known for, she carried on, undertaking a mammoth tour over 40,000 miles.

Along with Prince Philip, she took a 12-day tour of Canada in October of that year, starting in Nunavut, where the children sang “God Save the Queen” in English, French and Inuktitut.

Explore the Commonwealth country on the Landscapes of the Canadian Maritimes tour.

The Republic of Ireland and Great Britain had strained relations for many centuries, and a British monarch had not set foot on Irish soil for over a century when the Queen and Prince Philip made their visit.

In a speech made at Dublin Castle, the Queen began by speaking in Irish, surprising many present, and shared her sympathy for those affected by the conflicts in the checkered history between the countries. This marked a new period of harmony between Ireland and the U.K.

See Dublin on the Country Roads of Ireland tour.

Although known for her composure, the Queen is fond of a little fun. Her cameo at the Olympics Opening Ceremony showed Daniel Craig, as James Bond, escorting her Majesty to the event in daring fashion. According to the actor, she even improvised during the famous scene.

She even kept the skit a secret from her family before it aired.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had been married 73 years when he passed away aged 99 in April 2021. It was a love story for the ages and a testament to the power of loyalty in a time where matches can be fleeting and marriages seldom last. Sadly, coronavirus restrictions were still in place, which meant only 30 guests could attend the funeral. A photo of the Queen sitting alone in St. George’s Chapel was a poignant representation of her grief.