![]() President Ronald Reagan for sanctioning the U.S. One of the few issues on which Elizabeth robustly agreed with Thatcher was her fury with U.S. Margaret Thatcher was Elizabeth’s first female prime minister, but the two strong-willed women were less than soulmates. Eisenhower, to whom she sent her favorite recipe for scones. ![]() Truman, whom she met in 1951 when still a princess among her favorites was Dwight D. When Wilson reportedly realized he had Alzheimer’s disease and would have to leave office, the queen accorded him the rare compliment of asking him to host her at a Downing Street dinner. One of her reported favorites, surprisingly, was the Labour Party’s Harold Wilson, a middle-class socialist from the north of England who was apparently allowed to smoke his pipe in their meetings. The queen dealt with 15 British prime ministers. ![]() But Kenya and many other cherished so-called possessions of the British Empire had long since gone their own way. She was then visiting Sagana Lodge in colonial Kenya, during a tour of far-flung parts of the British Empire.Īt the time of Elizabeth’s death, she was the titular head of state of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and 11 other Commonwealth realms beyond the U.K. The world today, of course, is nothing like it was in February 1952, when Elizabeth learned of her father George’s death. in London in 2012.Įlizabeth is greeted by Prime Minister David Cameron as she arrives at No. Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by Prime Minister David Cameron as she arrives at No. President Ronald Reagan laughs at a joke by Elizabeth, who commented on the lousy California weather that she had experienced since her arrival to the United States, at a state dinner in San Francisco on March 8, 1983. President Ronald Reagan laughs at a joke by Queen Elizabeth II at a state dinner in 1983 Margaret Thatcher, leader of the opposition, curtsies as she shakes hands with Elizabeth at Westminster Hall in London on Sept. Margaret Thatcher curtsies as she shakes hands with Queen Elizabeth II in 1975. President Gerald Ford dances with Elizabeth at the bicentennial ball at the White House in Washington on July 7, 1976. President Gerald Ford dances with Queen Elizabeth II at the White House in 1976. Eisenhower at a White House state dinner on Oct. Eisenhower at a White House state dinner in 1957. Subjects that have been politely put off for years-out of personal respect for Elizabeth-will now be reopened. The question now is what the end of her rule means for the British monarchy. There was a special cheer from the crowds when her beloved horses won races, especially at Royal Ascot. But as she went about her ceremonial duties unveiling monuments, awarding medals, and entertaining foreign dignitaries whom her government wished to flatter or placate, she built a bond with the British people. Her rejection of intimacy or public emotion-she was the epitome of the stiff upper lip once seen as the supreme British quality-may not have seemed suited to an age prone to letting it all hang out. She was admired by monarchists and republicans alike for her unswerving devotion to duty and her refusal to bend to the faddish expectations of critics. 8 at age 96, may be best remembered as a leader who provided a model of constancy in a rapidly shifting world. Perhaps that seminal twist of fate prepared her well for the many other dramatic changes to come-changes wrought by war, political and social upheaval, personal tragedy, and family turmoil during a reign that lasted longer than any other.Įlizabeth, who died on Sept. A shocking turn of events-Edward’s abdication and the assumption of the throne by Elizabeth’s father, King George VI-determined Elizabeth’s destiny. At the time, it was anticipated that Elizabeth’s uncle King Edward VIII would reign for a full term and have children of his own to succeed him. Queen Elizabeth II did not grow up expecting to become queen of the United Kingdom and its many colonies.
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