When was the Queen crowned? How old was Elizabeth II when she took the throne and ascension meaning explained – NationalWorld

Queen Elizabeth II will become the first ever British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee later this year

Later this year, Queen Elizabeth II is set to become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee - 70 years on the throne.

While the Queen was crowned in 1953 in Westminster Abbey, her accession actually took place the year earlier, in February 1952.

This is everything you need to know.

When was the Queens accession?

Princess Elizabeth acceded the throne at the age of 25 after her father, King George VI died on 6 February 1952. She had been the eldest of the Kings two daughters, and was thus next in line to the throne.

The Kings death came after a prolonged illness, and he passed away during his sleep in the Royal Estate at Sandringham.

The Queen had been in Kenya during this time, and subsequently became the first Sovereign to accede while abroad in over 200 years.

When was the Coronation?

While the Queens accession to the throne occurred in February 1952, her Coronation did not take place for a while yet, on 2 June 1953 in Westminster Abbey. So while she acceded the throne at 25, she was crowned at age 27.

The Royal Family explains: The Coronation of the new Sovereign follows some months after his or her accession, following a period of mourning and as a result of the enormous amount of preparation required to organise the ceremony.

The Coronation was conducted by Dr Geoffrey Fisher, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and was attended by the likes of the Prime Minister and citizens of the other Commonwealth countries, and representatives of foreign states.

More than 20 million people watched the service when it was broadcast on television at the request of the Queen. While the day was plagued by heavy rain, crowds of spectators viewed the procession along the route.

The ceremony began at 11:15am and ran for nearly three hours, with the service split into six parts: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture (which included the crowning), the enthronement and the homage.

She became the sixth Queen,and the 39th Sovereign, to be crowned at Westminster Abbey.

In 2013, the Queen celebrated her 60th anniversary of her Coronation, which was marked with a festival in the garden of Buckingham Palace, hosted by the Royal Warrant Holders Association.

What is the Platinum Jubilee?

The Platinum Jubilee will mark the Queens 70th anniversary on the throne. While Sunday 6 February would technically mark the date that the Queen ascended to the throne, it is not a date that the Queen wishes to celebrate as it is also the date of her fathers death.

The Platinum Jubilee will thus be held on Friday 3 June later this year, with the Queen becoming the first ever British monarch to achieve such an occasion.

She became the longest reigning British monarch back in 2015, when she surpassed that of the previous record holder - her great-great-grandmother Victoria.

Queen Elizabeth II commemorated 65 years on the throne in 2017 with her Sapphire Jubilee, for which she is also the only British monarch to achieve.

Whats planned for the Platinum Jubilee?

The May Day bank holiday weekend will be shifted to Thursday 2 June, with an additional bank holiday on Friday 3 June to introduce a four day weekend to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

On Thursday 2 June, the Queens birthday parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will be held, with over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians coming together in the traditional parade to mark the Queens official birthday.

Also on the Thursday, over 1,500 beacons will be lit throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, as is tradition to mark events like Royal Jubilees, weddings and Coronations.

On Friday a service of Thanksgiving for the Queens reign will be held at St Pauls Cathedral.

On Saturday 4 June, the Queen will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs, alongside members of the royal family. The BBC will also broadcast a Platinum Party at the Palace which will see some of the biggest names in the world of entertainment come together to celebrate the Queens seven decades on the throne.

Finally, on Sunday 5 June, members of the public are encouraged to take part in The Big Jubilee Lunch, where communities celebrate their connections and get to know each other a bit better, in the spirit of fun and friendship.

Also taking place on Sunday 5 June to wrap up the Platinum Jubilee celebrations is the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.

A pageant of over 5,000 people from across the UK and the Commonwealth will take place against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace, and the surrounding streets.

It will feature street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume, and celebrate the service of the Queens reign, as well as honouring the collective service of people and communities across the country.

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When was the Queen crowned? How old was Elizabeth II when she took the throne and ascension meaning explained - NationalWorld