Queen Elizabeth II turns 90 years old, adding another milestone to her 64-year reign
Queen Elizabeth II has once again made history. On April 21, 2016, Her Majesty turns 90 years old.
“When the queen became the longest reigning monarch in British history last September, she didn’t want to make a fuss as she was concerned that milestone was reached because of the loss of her father,” said Victoria Arbiter, royal commentator and author of “Queen Elizabeth II.” “[The queen] wasn’t into trumping into her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria’s record, so she had always said we will celebrate when I turn 90.”
And the British monarchy plans to celebrate — with the annual Trooping the Colour, the queen’s official birthday parade, and other events occurring in June. The queen is in “remarkable health”: She carried out 341 engagements in 2015 and, according to Arbiter, still has “all of her marbles.”
Despite her many public appearances, the queen has never given a press interview throughout her 64-year reign. The British royal family is looking to reach the Commonwealth in new ways, posting a job ad for a Head of Digital Engagement, but that does not mean that the Duchess of Cambridge will be on Instagram anytime soon.
“I’d be surprised if we saw the immediate most senior royals on social media, just because it’s not very becoming in the royal family,” said Arbiter. “There’s still that sort of air of what’s appropriate and what’s not. And frankly, for some of them, they’d be so horrified about what’s said about them and the responses that are received on social media.”
In recent years, there has been increased speculation of what the monarch will look like after Elizabeth’s reign. Some have predicted the queen may resign in her lifetime, while others say the line of succession may skip Prince Charles in favor of expediting Prince William’s path to the throne.
“When you look at things she’s said in the past, going back to her 21st birthday, she vowed to serve for all the days of her life,” said Arbiter. “The queen lived through the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII. She saw the effect it had on the institution of the monarchy, the effect it had on her own parents, and so I really don’t think this is something she would even entertain unless of course she became ill.”
But when the successor is crowned, the royal family may perhaps be in the best condition in modern times. A new photo released by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday shows a smiling Prince George with his father, grandfather and great-grandmother.
“I think [the queen has] really represented a kind of stability for the country,” said Arbiter. “And really looking at her, there’s so many lessons for us all to learn because at 90 years old, to still be doing what she’s doing, should make all of us step up and think how can I serve my country too.”
