…Queen Elizabeth II.

58 years ago today, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II while she was sleeping in the wilds of Africa.

Her father, HRM King George VI died in the night after a long battle with cancer.  A battle that was kept private and away from the British people and media.  The actual cause of death was a coronary thrombosis.

Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip were in Kenya on a good will tour when the scepter passed to her.

She is one of the longest reigning British Monarchs, only surpassed by by George III, who reigned 59 years and 96 days, and her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned 63 years and 216 days. 

She was the woman who should not have been Queen.  Had her worthless uncle, King Edward VIII not done the world the favor of abdicating, she may not have ascended the throne.

She,  her father, and Victoria  are the only British Monarchs of the 20th century who were not hounded by scandal. 

Her predecessors and prodigny haven’t stayed away from the limelight so much.

Her Grandfather, Edward VII was a nororious womanizer who’s mistress was at his bedside along with his wife when he died.

Her Uncle Edward VIII shocked the world when he married Wallis Warfield Simpson, and gave UP the throne for the “woman he loved”.

Her children we read about daily.

She is a great woman, and one of the wealthiest in the world.

During WWII she worked in a motor pool, changing tires and repairing vehicles.

She married her distant cousin, Prince Phillip of Battenburg.  They have four children and eight grandchildren.

She is an expert shot, collector, diplomat, and horsewoman.  She has survived a few attempts on her life, and kept her cool and control of her horse when she was shot at during a parade.

Though her duties are limited, and the monarchy is poo-pooed by many, she remains a constant reminder of the importance Great Britian has in the world and it’s former Glory.   The sun may set on the British Empire, but the Queen remains.

I have lived though eleven Presidents in my lifetime, but only one Queen.