Accession Day: Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, acceded to the throne 69 years ago this day – 6 February 1952
Heavy the head that wears the crown! Today is Accession Day, in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth Realms where Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, is Queen and Head of State. Today marks her 69th year on the Throne; she is the longest-reigning British monarch, having passed her ancestor Queen Victoria in 2015.
But it is not a joyful but a sorrowful day for her, as it also marks the day when her beloved father, King George VI, passed away in 1952. He died in his sleep, following a battle with lung cancer.
Her Majesty traditionally spends this day in at her estate of Sandringham (where she would typically have been since Christmas), in solemn reflection and mourning, after which she would return to Buckingham Palace; but due to the covid situation, she is continuing to remain "sheltered in place" with Prince Phillip at Windsor Castle.
She has been vaccinated; and it is reported that she is optimistic about being able to return to London this summer, at least in time for the Trooping of the Colour at her official birthday celebration in June (which would also be two days after Prince Phillip's 100th birthday; Her Majesty herself will turn 95 this year, God willing).
Of this Ralph Heimans painting, entitled "The Coronation Theatre" (named for this location in Westminster Abbey, where Royal coronations traditionally take place), I wrote last year (2020),
I hope my dear friend David will not mind me "borrowing" both this image and his comments. God save The Queen!
"On this day in 1952, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne. She is the longest-reigning monarch in British history, having been Queen for [69] years.
"This portrait of Queen Elizabeth II wearing her State dress and robe, and standing on the Cosmati pavement in [Westminster] Abbey, is by the Australian artist Ralph Heimans. It was given to the Abbey in 2013 [on her Diamond Jubilee], 60 years after the Queen's coronation in 1953.
"The painting is on display in The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries alongside other objects and items related to royalty and coronations."
God save The Queen! Continued health and long life to Her Majesty! Long may she reign, in peace and plenty.
LORD, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; Most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen ELIZABETH; and so replenish her with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that she may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue her plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant her in health and wealth long to live; strengthen her that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies; and finally, after this life, she may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— "A Prayer for the Queen's Majesty," The Book of Common Prayer 1662