This April 21 marks the first birthday without the presence of the UK’s beloved Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last September 8 at the age of 96. The sovereign’s death has left an incredible void in the hearts of her subjects and around the world. In her case, we are talking about one of the most iconic figures of all time, by far the longest-serving monarch in the history of the United Kingdom (but not only), ascending the throne at just 25 on February 6, 1952. During her years of reign Elizabeth II faced many political and personal challenges, and led her country through moments of great social and economic transformation. A great many events marked her actions as ruler, from the end of the British Empire, to the Cold War, through technological transformations and changes in world politics. Despite all this, Queen Elizabeth II has always maintained her emblematic reassuring allure, earning respect and admiration.
Today, on her birthday, we celebrate her. We remember how, with her death, the whole world lost an extraordinary figure of incredible strength, dignity and deep dedication to public service.
TODAY WE CELEBRATE QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S FIRST BIRTHDAY AFTER HER PASSING
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 17: Queen Elizabeth II attends the Elizabeth line’s official opening at Paddington Station on May 17, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Matthews – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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- WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 15: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Queen Elizabeth II watches her horse ‘Balmoral Fashion’ compete in the Fell Class on day 3 of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park on May 15, 2015 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
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- LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 23: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Queen Elizabeth II visits the British Airways headquarters to mark their centenary year at Heathrow Airport on May 23, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
WILL MEGHAN MARKLE ATTEND THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III?
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- LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 10: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England. The 100th birthday of the RAF, which was founded on on 1 April 1918, was marked with a centenary parade with the presentation of a new Queen’s Colour and flypast of 100 aircraft over Buckingham Palace. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
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- WIDNES, UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 14: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II attend a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in Widnes, England. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry last month to become The Duchess of Sussex and this is her first engagement with the Queen. During the visit the pair will open a road bridge in Widnes and visit The Storyhouse and Town Hall in Chester. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
As many of you already know, the date of King Charles IIi’s coronation was confirmed by Buckingham Palace last October 11, 2022, and has been set for the morning of Saturday, May 6, 2023. This event will be held in Westminster Abbey and is a historic event that will mark the beginning of a new era for Britain and the monarchy, which in the past has been considered weak and distant from the vision of today’s society. Whether the crown will adapt to changing times and remain a figurehead cannot be known, but this historic event will certainly capture the attention of the United Kingdom, its overseas territories, and the rest of the world.
Will Prince Harry attend the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla with Meghan Markle?
Sadly, no, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Duke of Sussex (now just Harry Windsor) will attend the coronation ceremony of King and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6, while his wife Meghan Markle will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.” In addition, Prince Archie’s birthday will be celebrated during the coronation weekend.