伊丽莎白二世
作为英国史上在位时间最长的君主，伊丽莎白二世与英国一起走过了70载风雨，她的一生，可谓是一部英国当代史。
从公主到女王：一部英国当代史
伊丽莎白二世原名伊丽莎白·亚历山德拉·玛丽 (Elizabeth Alexandra
Mary)，出生于1926年4月21日，她的父亲乔治六世是国王乔治五世的次子，叔叔是当时的国王爱德华八世。
1936年，爱德华八世为了迎娶美国社交名媛辛普森夫人断然退位，由弟弟继位，成为乔治六世国王。当时10岁的伊丽莎白公主作为乔治六世的长女，成为王位第一顺位继承人。
1952年2月6日，乔治六世病故，当时正在非洲出访的伊丽莎白公主继承王位，时年25岁。一年零四个月后，她在伦敦加冕，成为英国第二位“伊丽莎白女王”。
1952年2月6日，乔治六世因血栓在睡梦中去世，当时还在肯尼亚旅行的伊丽莎白公主成为了英国的新君主。她的加冕典礼于1953年6月2日在威斯敏斯特教堂举行。
1952年2月6日，乔治六世因血栓在睡梦中去世，当时还在肯尼亚旅行的伊丽莎白公主成为了英国的新君主。她的加冕典礼于1953年6月2日在威斯敏斯特教堂举行。
自伊丽莎白二世登基以来，世界政坛更迭变化、如“走马观花”，而她却岿巍不动。在她长达数十年的统治期间，英国经历了“日不落帝国”解体、英阿马岛战争、战后复苏又衰落、英国脱欧、新冠疫情等风风雨雨，可以说，伊丽莎白二世的一生，就是一部英国当代史。
而她本人，也创造了诸多历史。2015年9月9日，伊丽莎白二世超越了她的曾曾祖母维多利亚女王，成为英国在位时间最长的君主。
国家象征：深受英国民众爱戴
近代以来，英国王室失去了实权，不过，女王仍是英国名义上的国家元首、“门面担当”。同时，她也是15个英联邦国家及地区的女王。她在位期间，出访海外300多次，到访过117个国家和地区。
伊丽莎白二世首次出访是1955年前往挪威，而到访过最多的国家是加拿大，共计22次。
2016年5月18日，英国女王伊丽莎白二世出席新一届议会开幕仪式，公布新政府施政与立法计划。
2016年5月18日，英国女王伊丽莎白二世出席新一届议会开幕仪式，公布新政府施政与立法计划。
在英国国内外一系列重大场合，伊丽莎白二世总起到“安定军心”的作用。在脱欧的不确定前景困扰英国时，她表示“即使是一小步前进，也能带来大大不同”；在英国深陷新冠疫情时，她鼓励民众“永不放弃，永不绝望”……
此外，伊丽莎白二世还带领王室逐渐变革，期望更贴近民众。对于很多英国人来说，她不仅是高高在上的王室领袖，也是一名平民化的“老祖母”。她慈祥、淡然，也曾无数次打破传统，不再严格承担一个严谨、保守的皇室“代言人”形象。
1962年，白金汉宫第一次向普通民众开放；1997年，在黛安娜王妃葬礼当天，当灵柩经过白金汉宫时，伊丽莎白二世鞠躬致哀；2001年，在悼念美国“911”事件死难者时，她流下泪水……
有媒体评论称，英国人也许会质疑君主立宪制，但他们从未质疑过自己的这位君主。
历经风波：统领王室，实属不易
当然，七十年来，伊丽莎白二世也曾遭遇风波与挫折，诸多事件，都与王室成员有关。
1997年，在黛安娜王妃去世后，伊丽莎白二世未参加公众悼念活动，招致批评，让英国人觉得王室冷漠、不近人情。在顾问的劝说下，她转变了态度，令白金汉宫下半旗，在聚集哀悼的人群面前亮相，还发表了电视讲话，安抚“痛失人民王妃”的民众。
2008年12月3日，英国女王伊丽莎白二世乘坐她的座驾离开白金汉宫前往威斯敏斯特宫。
2008年12月3日，英国女王伊丽莎白二世乘坐她的座驾离开白金汉宫前往威斯敏斯特宫。
那之后，英国民众对王室的态度逐渐转暖。2002年，英国庆祝伊丽莎白二世登基50周年，但对76岁的女王本人而言，她的心情更为复杂。因为母亲王太后和妹妹玛格丽特公主，都在这一年相继去世。
更多的“坎”，则在女王93岁以后到来。
2019年末，英国安德鲁王子被卷入美国富豪爱泼斯坦性侵丑闻，极大影响了英国王室的声誉，最终不得不辞去王室职务。2020年初，迎娶了美国女演员梅根的哈里王子，与妻子一同宣布从王室“出走”，又引发了广泛议论。
而到了2021年，与伊丽莎白二世相伴一生，已经99岁的菲利普亲王又撒手人寰。用女王自己的话说，这位相伴73年的伴侣离去，给她的生活留下了“巨大的空洞”。她身着黑色服装、神情凝重地独坐的画面，令英国网友唏嘘。
4月17日，英国菲利普亲王葬礼在温莎城堡举行，女王出席葬礼。
2021年4月17日，英国菲利普亲王葬礼在温莎城堡举行，女王出席葬礼。
菲利普亲王去世后，女王的身体状况明显不如从前，今年2月她曾因感染新冠“倍感疲惫”，近几个月来，又因身体原因缺席了一系列公共活动。而在最近任命特拉斯为英国新首相时也打破了传统，首次在苏格兰巴尔莫勒尔接待新首相。
在自己21岁生日的演讲中，正值青春盛年的伊丽莎白曾说，“我向你们所有人宣誓，我的整个生命，无论是长是短，都将致力于为你们服务。”
70余年过去了。她用一生，践行了对英国的承诺。
As the longest reigning monarch in Britishhistory, Queen Elizabeth II has gone through 70 years of storms with the UnitedKingdom. Her life can be said to be a contemporary history of Britain.
From Princesses to Queens: A ContemporaryHistory of England
Elizabeth II was born Elizabeth AlexandraMary on April 21, 1926, to her father, King George VI, the second son of KingGeorge V, and her uncle, then King Edward VIII.
In 1936, Edward VIII abdicated the throneto marry American socialite Mrs. Simpson and was succeeded by his brother asKing George VI. Princess Elizabeth, then 10, became first in line to the throneas George VI's eldest daughter.
On February 6, 1952, George VI died fromillness and Princess Elizabeth, who was visiting Africa, succeeded to thethrone at the age of 25. A year and four months later, she was crowned inLondon as Britain's second "Queen Elizabeth."
On Feb. 6, 1952, George VI died in hissleep from a blood clot, and Princess Elizabeth, who was traveling in Kenya atthe time, became Britain's new monarch. Her coronation took place atWestminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.
On Feb. 6, 1952, George VI died in hissleep from a blood clot, and Princess Elizabeth, who was traveling in Kenya atthe time, became Britain's new monarch. Her coronation took place atWestminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.
Since her accession to the throne, QueenElizabeth II has remained unshaken by the changes that have taken place inworld politics. During her decades-long reign, the UK experienced many ups anddowns, including the disintegration of the "Empire on which the sun neversets", the War in the Falklands, the post-war recovery and decline,Brexit, and the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be said that the life of QueenElizabeth II is a contemporary history of the UK.
And she, too, made a lot of history. OnSeptember 9, 2015, Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her great-great-grandmotherQueen Victoria to become Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
National symbol: Beloved by the Britishpublic
In modern times, the British royal familyhas lost real power, but the Queen is still the nominal head of state and"facade" of the United Kingdom. She is also Queen of 15 Commonwealthcountries and territories. During her reign, she made more than 300 overseasvisits and visited 117 countries and regions.
Elizabeth II's first foreign trip was toNorway in 1955, but the country she has visited most is Canada, 22 times.
On May 18, 2016, Britain's Queen ElizabethII attended the State Opening of the new Parliament to unveil the newgovernment's policy and legislative program.
On May 18, 2016, Britain's Queen ElizabethII attended the State Opening of the new Parliament to unveil the newgovernment's policy and legislative program.
In a series of major occasions at home andabroad, Queen Elizabeth II has always played a role in stabilizing the moraleof the troops. "Even small steps can make a big difference," shesaid, as the uncertain prospect of leaving the European Union gripped Britain.With the UK gripped by the coronavirus pandemic, she encouraged people to"never give up, never despair"...
In addition, Queen Elizabeth II has ledgradual changes in the royal family, hoping to be closer to the people. To manyBritons, she is not only a condescending royal leader, but also a populistgrandmother. Kindly and detached, she has also broken with tradition countlesstimes, stepping away from her strict image as a strict, conservative"spokesperson" for the royal family.
Buckingham Palace was first opened to thegeneral public in 1962; Queen Elizabeth II bows as her coffin passes BuckinghamPalace on the day of Princess Diana's funeral in 1997. In 2001, she wept whilepaying tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks in the United States...
The British may question theirconstitutional monarchy, but they have never questioned their monarch, thepress has said.
File photo: The Queen's wedding photo.
File photo: The Queen's wedding photo.
Going through a rough ride: Ruling theroyal family is not easy
Of course, over the past 70 years, QueenElizabeth II has had her share of troubles and setbacks, many of them involvingmembers of the royal family.
In 1997, after the death of Princess Diana,Queen Elizabeth II was criticized for not attending a public memorial service,leaving Britons with a perception that the royal family was cold andimpersonal. Counsellors persuaded her to change her tune, flying the flag atBuckingham Palace at half-mast, appearing before crowds of mourners and givinga televised address to reassure those "grieving the loss of the people'sprincess".
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leavesBuckingham Palace for Westminster Palace in her car on December 3, 2008.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leavesBuckingham Palace for Westminster Palace in her car on December 3, 2008.
Since then, the British public has warmedto the royal family. In 2002, Britain celebrated the 50th anniversary of QueenElizabeth II's accession to the throne, but for the 76-year-old monarchherself, there were more mixed feelings. Because mother Queen Mother and sisterPrincess Margaret, both died in this year.
More canons will come after the Queen turns93.
In late 2019, Britain's Prince Andrew wascaught up in the sexual abuse scandal involving American billionaire JeffreyEpstein, which greatly affected the reputation of the British royal family andeventually forced him to resign from his royal duties. In early 2020, PrinceHarry, who is married to American actress Meghan Markle, announced his"departure" from the royal family with his wife, causing anotherstir.
In 2021, Prince Philip died at the age of99 after a lifetime with Queen Elizabeth II. In her own words, the death of hercompanion of 73 years has left a "gaping hole" in her life. The imageof her sitting alone in black and looking solemn drew gasps from BritishInternet users.
On April 17, Britain's Prince Philip'sfuneral was held at Windsor Castle, attended by the Queen.
The Queen attends the funeral of Britain'sPrince Philip at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021.
The Queen's health has been noticeablyweaker since the death of Prince Philip, and she has been absent from a seriesof public engagements in recent months after suffering "extremefatigue" from COVID-19 in February. And the recent appointment of Truss asBritain's new prime minister broke with tradition by hosting him for the firsttime at Balmoral in Scotland.
In a speech on her 21st birthday,Elizabeth, in the prime of her youth, said, "I pledge to you all that mywhole life, whether it be long or short, will be devoted to your service."
More than 70 years have passed. Throughouther life, she has kept her promise to Britain.
