Max Mumby, Queen Elizabeth II attends an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, 2022
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, Her Majesty Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and her other realms and territories, has died at Balmoral Castle, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, at the age of 96. She reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom for 70 years and 214 days, the longest-serving monarch in British history, exceeded in world history only by Louis XIV of France, the longest-ruling sovereign monarch whose reign is verifiable by exact date. She is succeeded by her son King Charles III. She has reigned as Queen for longer than 90% of the world's population have been alive.
Here's a presentation of her life in pictures posted by the BBC.
Mike
David Saxe: "I grew up in Montreal a long time ago. In 1951 Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited. It was a year before she became Queen. I was in grade three at the time at Lord Willingdon School, in the neighborhood of Notre Dame de Grace, and I remember the whole school being let out early that day to 'see the Princess.' We all lined up outside the school, buses were waiting, and the whole class got on one of them and we were driven to somewhere. When we arrived (wherever it was), we were assembled along the side of the street and we were all given little paper Union Jacks glued to wooden sticks and told to wave them when the procession passed. The procession arrived. The Princess and Philip were seated in the back of a black Cadillac convertible and they waved to us as they sped past. We waved back with our Union Jacks on wooden sticks. It was all over in seven seconds. The funny thing is that after all those years, I still have the image of them speeding past—etched in my memory. It only lasts for a brief moment or so but it's always there whenever I think of it. It's my first photograph."
Scott Paris: "I am so old that I actually remember watching her coronation in 1953, on a wooden TV almost the size of a refrigerator, with a mostly round screen about eight inches across. Grainy, scratchy black-and-white, of course. I was six, and I think I only remember it because my WWII-generation parents thought it was magical that we could see events in London as they happened. I think I thought it was pretty normal."
Sean: "Even as an anti-monarchist, I have always respected the dignity and grace demonstrated by Elizabeth in her role as Monarch. Not an easy role for a shy young woman to play, but she played it well to the very end. RIP."
Tom Burke: "Her Majesty has been a presence in my life as far back as I can remember. In my early 70s, I am a member of the oldest group of British people who, although born in the previous reign (George VI) have no memories of it; for us, there has always 'The Queen.'
"Of course, when I say 'a presence in my life' I don't mean personally. Like almost all British people I've never met her. No, what I mean is that she was constantly being mentioned. There were formal occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament which includes the Queen's (or King's) Speech, in which the monarch appears to give Parliament their instructions (in fact, the Speech is written by the Prime Minister); solemn occasions such as Remembrance Day—'Her Majesty will lead the nation in a ceremony of remembrance'; more relaxed occasions such as attendance at sporting and other public events; and wherever I went, in cities, towns and villages all over the country, I might find a plaque or notice saying that this particular school/hospital/public building had been officially opened/inaugurated/dedicated by Her Majesty. She put herself about over the years; in her own phrase 'I have to be seen to be believed.'
"There's a deeper importance to her long reign. The UK is a fairly conservative (small 'c') nation, but we are prepared to give new things a go and if we like them, carry on with them. The result has been that we have changed almost beyond recognition since the end of the Second World War. Against those changes we have also sought stability by trying to create a synthesis of change and tradition. Her Majesty's long reign has been a huge factor in that, and goes a long way to explaining how we have accepted so much social change (especially) while remaining, I think, true to our traditions."
Thomas Mc Cann: "I'm from Northern Ireland. Before the coronation came along home televisions we rare. The protestant population invested heavily in them to be able to watch the ceremony. Six years late the Catholics got their chance with the inauguration of a new Pope. Those were the days."
Jayanand Govindaraj: "Let me give you an Indian's view on the queen. Why eulogize a woman who did nothing particular but live in luxury for a long time, funded liberally by her subjects? In her public life, throughout her reign, her country has been on one long constant decline—socially, politically and economically within, and in the matter of global influence without. In her private life, she had a husband who was probably a closet racist, whom, nevertheless, she seems to have adored, and together they raised one of the most dysfunctional families on earth, hounding a daughter-in-law to death, and pushing a grandson to run away, probably on racist grounds. What is there to glorify? Nevertheless the myth-making machine is in overdrive right now!"
Rob Campbell (partial comment): "Yes, a sad but inevitable day. I was sailing back to Britain from India, and I guess I was sixteen years of age as she was being crowned. Many years later, I photographed her and the Duke of Edinburgh on behalf of the then Scottish Design Centre, in Glasgow. Officialdom almost frustrated the gig: as I moved from shooting their arrival inside the building, onwards to the next 'station' of that shoot, which was her signing of the visitors book, the police barred me from entry to the room, so I just returned to the PR office and sat down to see what next. In moments, another official came rushing in to usher me through security, and I got my shots, a couple of which are somewhere on my website. I say somewhere, because the other pro work gallery there is pretty much all calendar pix, and it always felt it would be disrespectful to place those royals shots amongst the girls. As Jay Maisel says, who the hell knows where anything is anymore?"
Albert Smith: "Maybe of interest among photo enthusiasts: Popular Photography, 'A closer look at some of Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite cameras.'"
Pi Manson: "I’m British. I find it incredibly depressing how sycophantic, weepy coverage has sprawled across the entire BBC. The monarchy seems to nothing but infantilise us: The Guardian had a headlining article about rainbows spotted at Balmoral!
"The Queen avoided tax while claiming millions of pounds of public money. She had the privilege to see laws that affected her 'interests,' and amend them as necessary, allowing her to avoid environmental, employment and tax regulations. The monarchy are not even allowed to be mentioned in the House of Commons (except in gushing terms), so our elected representatives may never bring up constitutional ideas that would make our country more egalitarian, democratic and, frankly, less medieval.
"It’s sad in that a human has died. But in all honesty, this Brit would see her family yanked from their palaces by thorough constitutional reform."
Mike replies: I'm not British of course, and am only observing from an armchair far away, and my opinion is worth exactly zero, but...it will be interesting to see what William will do when he becomes King. I think he is of a mind to de-emphasize the monarchy somewhat, along Scandinavian lines, although less thoroughly. Ironically that might be the best way to preserve the institution. I suspect Charles III is bound to be somewhat of a challenge for the institution, never mind his spotted past which I personally cannot blame him for, at least in its "broad brushstrokes" version. Married the wrong partner, eventually wised up and married the right one—that's hardly an uncommon course for a human being of either sex. I don't know much of the details of how he behaved in the particulars. However: he's an old man, lacking the vitality of youth and relevance to younger people; unlike his mother he's opinionated and meddlesome, mildly so perhaps, but not likely to take to the high road with gravitas and discipline like his mother did; he's a thoroughly known quantity to the British people, lacking any sort of mystery; and he doesn't seem to have the inspirational qualities of a natural figurehead—seems only a workmanlike public speaker for one thing. Is it certain Charles even really desires his new job? He seems a thoroughly decent fellow to me and I've always rather liked him. But on the other hand my pie-in-the-sky take on the situation is that the best thing he could do would be to save the cost of an extra coronation and step aside in favor of his son. I know that's not going to happen, because it doesn't fit traditions, but might not a young man in the prime of life with a beautiful wife and little kids might make for a better King in uncertain times?
In 1997 the Queen came to Stratford, Ontario, to dedicate the refurbished Festival Theatre. My daughter, 7 years old at the time, was part of a Sparks troop that was selected to be in a receiving line for Her Majesty. (Sparks are a Canadian association akin to Brownies.) It was an auspicious day, of course, and the energy was high. As we waited, I noticed that Peter Mansbridge, then anchor of CBC’s prime time newscast, The National, and his crew were in attendance. And of course the crowd was filled with other dignitaries. After what seemed a VERY long wait, RCAF helicopters rumbled in through the sky, signalling that Her Majesty was arriving. I was startled that electricity ran through my body, the hairs on the back of my neck literally stood up.
It goes without saying that day is a cherished memory in our family.
Posted by: Earl Dunbar | Thursday, 08 September 2022 at 07:39 PM
I'm not real big on queens, but I did see Elizabeth once, purely by accident. I was in London for something I forget, I believe in the spring or early summer, and it turned out to be some sort of British holiday that involved a parade with the queen going by in a carriage. On a scale of 1-100, as an America, it was about a 17 experience for me, but there were grown men in the crowd with tears in their eyes, and it wasn't the dust. The most impressive aspect of the parade for me was the cavalry (I think the Household Cavalry.) Soldiers on very large black horses and armed with swords. If you'd ever been in an opposing force and seen those coming down on you, I believe you would have frozen in abject fear. Gotta say, Elizabeth had a good run. RIP.
Posted by: John Camp | Thursday, 08 September 2022 at 10:35 PM
God save the Queen.
Have been fond of her even as a colonial subject of Hong Kong. We even have song liken here as friend of righteousness and bring prosperity etc.
Rip.
Posted by: Dennis Ng | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 12:17 AM
Being of age three score and five-teen years, I'm one year older than the new king. I can actually remember the time before Elizabeth became queen in 1954. I was about six and I can dimly remember King George VI head on coins and notes and reports in the West Australian newspaper of the Coronation.
We were monarchist toadies then, swearing allegiance to Britain and the Queen. I'm ashamed to recall describing myself as 'British subject, Australian citizen'. I'm a strong republican now (nothing to do with the GOP!) We lost the first referendum in 1999 (due to a sly trick in the wording by an obsequious PM). Now it's time, after a decent interval, to try again.
Being an insomniac, I was awake at 1.30am WA time last night listening to the radio and heard the announcement of the Queen's death. That's the closest I've been to an historic moment, I think.
Finally, what's with the big changes in font and sizes recently? Your typeface is so small today (about 6 point?) that I can hardly read it. It could be that my eyes are filled with tears :-) It's also a sans font, whereas you usually use a serif font. Yet last week, your type was HUGE, around 16 point. Huh? (I'm using Firefox.)
Posted by: Peter Jeffrey Croft | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 12:47 AM
No doubt one can comment upon the British empire. But she like 2 other leaders that help the change to more realistic arrangement. For uk it is the commonwealth. In fact just have a commonwealth game. And india is one of the key participants. She as a symbol of empire may be to some. But to many she is a symbol of friendship now. County can become republic but still not, say Australia. And whilst I heard a football match in Ireland said nasty thing yesterday, she is the only monarch visit Republic of Ireland. Let us see what she really is over the year.
The other two one just passed away is even more nasty. Unlike queen being figurehead, he is actually the head of Soviet Union. And whilst some Russians may think and even act upon his lost of Soviet Union empire, he is respected not because he is the symbol of Soviet Union but the dissolution of it.
Another one possibly not well known is the son of the first president of Taiwan (or last free china). His father is a dictator and killed all those opposite him in Taiwan when coming to the Island. Instead of continue terrorising his own country and given his Soviet Union trained (and even has a Soviet Union wife) he passed peacefully to the first Taiwan democratic elected president. China shoot missiles and American (Clinton) sent in not 1 but 2 battleship to warn. The democracy stayed on until today. With no American boots on the ground.
You may say all 3 has some “evil” past. And all had to do all these as they had no choice but change. But whatsoever I respect them for dealing with life as they inherit. Then make a better change to it.
Great human. Great being.
God bless the Queen from my heart.
P.S. I am not sure about the King though. It is not ease to keep this 1200 kingship or as the 40 kings crowned in Abbey since 900 years ago of William the conqueror. British monarch history give tears to student of history not because of any hatred or love. Just too bloody and crazy. And can they survive I do not know. Will God save the King I am not sure.
But as human we try our best. And just hope you manage do good whatever lemon the god give you. They are great lemon juice maker. Let us see any more.
Posted by: Dennis Ng | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 01:27 AM
Big Leica fan as well.
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Flavidaleica.com%2Fgallery%2Fmain.php%3Fg2_view%3Dcore.DownloadItem%26g2_itemId%3D1903%26g2_serialNumber%3D4&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Flavidaleica.com%2Fgallery%2Fv%2FCelebrities%2FCeleb-Queen_Elizabeth_b.jpg.html&tbnid=tLsXvXSxIW332M&vet=12ahUKEwik-PaUiof6AhVzgc4BHQuYBKkQMygFegUIARC9AQ..i&docid=6XqSLN1x-tld_M&w=615&h=409&q=queen%20elizabeth%20leica&ved=2ahUKEwik-PaUiof6AhVzgc4BHQuYBKkQMygFegUIARC9AQ
Posted by: Richard John Tugwell | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 02:37 AM
Yes, a sad but inevitable day.
I was sailing back to Britain from India, and I guess I was sixteen years of age as she was being crowned.
Many years later, I photographed her and the Duke of Edinburgh on behalf of the then Scottish Design Centre, in Glasgow. Officialdom almost frustrated the gig: as I moved from shooting their arrival inside the building, onwards to the next “station” of that shoot, which was her signing of the visitors book, the police barred me from entry to the room, so I just returned to the PR office and sat down to see what next. In moments, another official came rushing in to usher me through security, and I got my shots, a couple of which are somewhere on my website. I say somewhere, because the other pro work gallery there is pretty much all calendar pix, and it always felt it would be disrespectful to place those royals shots amongst the girls. As Jay Meisel says, who the hell knows where anything is anymore?
I also photographed her sister, Princess Margaret, along with then photographer hubby Lord Snowdon, aka Tony Armstrong-Jones, at the same venue. It felt kinda strange photographing another snapper, and truth to tell, I don’t think he enjoyed it much either. Sadly, all those other pix were lost/destroyed back in ‘81 as we moved from the UK to our new life in Spain. That I saved what I did is miracle enough.
An unfortunate penalty of life with the royals is that your own talents get dissed, and your success put down to influence. He, Armstrong-Jones, was already an established Vogue photographer and for the record, shot the most erotic snap of Helen Mirren that I have ever seen. Just google their two names and throw in the word mirror.
Regarding a comment made on these pages about the evil British Empire: think for a moment about the competition, both that current then, and even today. You can’t sensibly transpose ethics of a bygone age with today’s. In fact, of the many empires that the world has see, at least the British one left a legacy of laws, education, commerce and political nouse missing from many others, noted only for their absolute exploitation with nothing positive left when their time was over. That those subsequently independent may have thrown out that inheritance and reverted to murderous tribalism is not the fault of departed Britain. Perhaps a glance may be cast in the direction of the good ol’ USA and the Middle East (just for starters) before sweeping statements are printed. Further, look around the news sites and you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere noted for the milk of human kindness flooding the streets.
Well, if I may be permitted to say so, it’s precisely the fact that royalty is not elected that gives it gravitas: it bears a country’s history on its shoulders, traceable back through the centuries, and that is worth more than passing political fashion; who will know anything about Trump or our own departed Boris in a few decades? That one or two members of such royal families go mad is both understandable as it is inevitable: imagine a life where personal privacy is practically non-existent and, unlike with common or garden celebrities, carries real penalties when mistakes are exposed: I envy not a single one of them - rather than envy they have my sympathies.
Posted by: Rob Campbell | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 08:51 AM
At the end of her only visit to Chicago, in 1959, Queen Elizabeth left the city by a yacht docked near the famed Buckingham Fountain. (A noob might guess that the fountain’s name is an honorific commemorative gesture of the event…not so. It’s named for Clarence, a rich guy whose widow paid for it.)
But the location in Monroe Harbor where the Queen’s yacht departed was informally named “Queen’s Landing”, a name still used by old locals to this day.
Posted by: Kenneth Tanaka | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 09:04 AM
Always been a fan of the Queen since my mother was British, first seen her in 1959 at Gander, Newfoundland when I was a baby. She came to open the new international airport.
Posted by: terence morrissey | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 10:22 AM
At school in England we watched the film of her coronation probably around 1968 or 1969. At the time we thought it very odd to have to watch something that took place 15 years or so earlier. Still don't quite know why, perhaps to stir our patriotic feelings? I feel reasonably positive towards constitutional monarchy, particularly as the Queen was such a fine example. One of her worst official meetings was with that oaf Trump. We all felt for her.
Posted by: Chris | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 10:26 AM
As a former Brit now living in the USA, I am saddened by the passing of Her Majesty. I am not one for empire, but I guess I was a bit of a fan of hers.
But Coronation Day?
We were outside at the street party with the road closed and my pregnant mother went back into the house with two of her friends from the WRNS who were now District Nurses. While I was having a great time outside with my 'mates' (cake and lemonade etc) my brother was being born about 5 weeks early.
So I guess we always celebrated coronation day. Every year!
Posted by: JTK | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 12:03 PM
Having looked at scores of images of QE II in the past 24 hours, I can state unequivocally that the photo of her by Max Mumby (above) is the perfect image of her. Her pose, expression, and her outfit (both style and color) are just that: perfect.
In that photograph, Queen Elizabeth seems to be saying, “Though I’m leaving, I’ll still be with you. And we shall meet again.”
Excellent choice, Michael.
Posted by: Ernest Zarate | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 12:13 PM
Let's not forget fact that the Queen was an avid photographer, too. Several photos exist of her with Rollei 35s and Leicas. One photo with the latter was even used to commerate her sixtieth birthday on a stamp:
https://www.stamps-for-sale.com/great-britain-1986-60th-birthday-of-queen-elizabeth-ii-sg-1317-fine-used-89977-p.asp
As an American not terribly invested in the every move of the royal family, her passing doesn't affect me directly like it does much of the world. I'm always saddened by the departure of a fellow photo-dawg, though. May she rest in peace.
Posted by: Christopher May | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 12:37 PM
So much could be said by people better informed and qualified than me about the woman, her qualities of character and her role as the head of a nation that has historically shown dreadfull qualities.
She was genuinely loved and respected, and has been noted in the press as someone in a unique 'job' who never put a foot wrong, also a model of creative restraint.
It will be interesting for us Brits to see what lies ahead now we are Caroleans. (And at the same time we have a new Prime Minister of doubtful competence-again).
As the bell tolled I was drawn to remember the portraits by Yousuf Karsh - perfect portraits of a beautiful woman.
Posted by: Andy Wilkes | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 01:01 PM
As a young kid growing up in Toronto, my memories echo those of David Saxe and Scott Paris -- waving the little school-issued union jacks in 1951 as the princess's motorcade passed by and crowding into the home of the only neighbour who had a television to watch the coronation in 1953.
Posted by: David Francis | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 01:18 PM
She visited Penticton B.C. In, I think, 1970 or 1972. I would have been 16 or 18 years old. As her car came to a complete stop in front of me, I ducked under the police ribbon to take a photo for my mom. Don’t do that now!
Posted by: John Fleming | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 01:29 PM
After one of the early comments on this post I was going to ask why US citizens seem so ignorant of the history of North America but instead I shall pay tribute to Dennis Ng’s wonderful commentary.
Posted by: Richard Parkin | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 02:51 PM
Patron of the Royal Photographic Society 1952 - 2019.
Posted by: David Wilson | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 03:02 PM
The Guardian tells the story behind the photo the palace used to announce her death. It was taken by Jane Bown for the Queen's 80th birthday in 2006 (using an OM-1, Zuiko 85/2 and Kodak Tri-X).
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/09/the-story-behind-the-portrait-of-the-queen-the-palace-used-to-announce-her-death
Posted by: Simon | Friday, 09 September 2022 at 04:50 PM
Pi Manson expressed my feelings much better than I did in an earlier post.
To see these privileged rich folk, who got where they only by birthright not by merit or popularity, spending public money to prance around in their finery while people in our country are turning to food banks makes me feel ill.
My only hope is that it will help bring about the Republic of Scotland. Not that I would wish Charles I's fate on Charles III!
Posted by: AlistairH | Tuesday, 13 September 2022 at 05:20 PM