A super someone to celebrate
Grace Turner, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Museums of History New South Wales at Unsplash
April 21, 2026, marks 100 years since the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, who left behind a legacy that continues to be remembered throughout the world.
Although she is known as Great Britain’s longest reigning monarch, when Queen Elizabeth II was born, she was not expected to ever take the throne.
The shift occurred when her uncle King Edward VIII renounced the throne to pursue his desired marriage, making Elizabeth’s father the king and her heir. From that time forward young Elizabeth began training to be the future queen, learning the role’s expectations and responsibilities.
Elizabeth did not forget her people, however, as a teenager in World War II, she helped with the war effort learning how to maintain vehicles and drive heavy trucks.
In 1947, the future queen married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark whom she had met on a family vacation at 13 years old. Prince Philip, who became the Duke of Edinburgh, stood by her side for the rest of his life in a marriage that lasted over 70 years. Together the couple had four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Queen Elizabeth II began her reign on Feb. 6, 1952, at just 25 years old. In her reign she was known for her grace and sense of duty, often praised for being able to maintain tradition while working with the ever-changing world.
While on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II managed to visit every region of the United Kingdom. She took her public role very seriously, serving as a dedicated diplomat and hostess. In her reign she welcomed 110 presidents and prime ministers on official visits, 13 of those being presidents from the United States.
Queen Elizabeth II was also linked to over 500 charities that spanned from preserving wildlife to creating opportunities for young people.
As a woman of the people, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was one of the largest ceremonial events London had ever seen.
Although she passed away in September of 2022, at the age of 96, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 165 birthdays, celebrating two a year after her coronation.
The queen would celebrate her normal birthday in April privately with family as well as with a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21-gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.
Her public birthday celebration was held on a Saturday in June to provide better weather for grand festivities. The celebration included 1,500 military personnel fully uniformed and over 200 horses in choreographed formations.
The tradition of celebrating a double birthday goes back to 1748 when King George II elected to avoid celebrating his birthday in the chilly November air.
To celebrate what would have been the queen’s hundredth birthday a new two-acre garden is set to be opened in the heart of Regent’s Park in London. This garden is set to feature a pond, a central promenade with a pond overlook and a collection of the queen’s favorite flowers.
