Despite her retreat from public visibility, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to reign for 70 years on Sunday, marking the start of her Platinum Jubilee year.
The 95-year-old monarch, though, will celebrate the anniversary of her father’s death in solitude this weekend, so there will be little fanfare.
She has subsequently become a symbol of modern Britain and a living link to the country’s post-war and imperial history in an era of tremendous social and political change.
The Queen, who often ranks first in polls as the most popular royal, arrived at her enormous Sandringham estate in eastern England on January 23 via helicopter.
She had planned to spend Christmas and New Year with close family at Sandringham House, but the annual visit was postponed because of an increase of Omicron cases.
In keeping with prior years, there will be no public engagements on Sunday.
A military parade and a music concert, as well as street celebrations, a mass attendance picnic, and a “Platinum Pudding Competition,” are all scheduled for early June.
In the history of the world, only three monarchs have reigned for more than 70 years.
From 1643 to 1715, France’s Louis XIV reigned for 72 years and 110 days. From 1946 to 2016, Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej reigned for 70 years and 126 days.
Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein, governed for 70 years.
