Since her father’s death on February 6, 1952, the world has known his oldest daughter, Elizabeth, as the United Kingdom’s reigning monarch. Over seven decades, Her Majesty has devoted herself to serving her country and the Commonwealth. But what does that really mean? What is her typical day-to-day like, what are her duties, what are her joys? Royal Insider celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign with this platinum jubilee commemorative issue and offers a peek into her life through the lens of obligation, family and pop culture.
ELIZABETH II A Day–to–Day Portrait
Introduction
The gift that keeps on giving
SYMBOL of a NATION and Patron of Charities • The Queen upholds traditions, delivers messages to the nation, recognizes the achievements of its best citizens by conferring honors and titles, celebrates special events, and offers comfort in difficult times. She and the royal family are also patrons of more than 3,000 charities around the world.
CONSTITUTIONAL Responsibilities • Beyond signing official documents that arrive to her daily in a red box, the queen officially opens Parliament each year, gives Royal assent to bills proposed by Parliament, and meets with an advisory board called the Privy Council. She can also appoint Ministers to the Crown, grant royal pardons, issue passports, and dissolve Parliament.
HEAD of the STATE and the Commonwealth • As one of the U.K.’s top representatives, she travels to other countries on official visits and hosts distinguished visitors at home. While she is still called Her Majesty in 14 countries, the queen is also the leader of a modern association of 56 independent nations called the Commonwealth.
Commanding the ARMED FORCES • Although the prime minister or the Secretary of State for Defence usually oversees military concerns, the queen is the Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces and the one they would ask to declare war if absolutely necessary.
Ceremonial Head of the CHURCH of ENGLAND • King Henry VIII created this now ceremonial title in the 1530s, and the Queen, as sovereign, holds it, even though the real spiritual leader of the Church is the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Continuing the ROYAL LINE • Through the children she had with Prince Philip, the Queen is the matriarch of a line of succession 24 people deep…and counting!
Caretaker of the ARTS • The Queen is in charge of the Royal Collection of art, which encompasses more than a million pieces including paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and ceramics. Of course, some of that art is about Her Majesty herself.
POP CULTURE Quirks • A rainbow of fashion choices, a pack of corgis, a bevy of film and TV portrayals, and souvenirs for days—the sovereign has been the center of fascination for her looks, interests, and screen potential.
Elizabeth II a Day-to-Day Portrait
PHOTO CREDITS