The Queen and Her Family

This guidebook forms part of the Pitkin Royal Collection series, celebrating the lives of the royal family. Decade by decade, it showcases her role as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, as well as Head of State.

From her first public broadcast in 1940 as a 14-year-old princess, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has given loyal service throughout her long and glorious reign over the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for over 60 years, which means she is now the world’s longest reigning living monarch. Such an achievement of unstinting service in both the Victorian age and the new Elizabethan age adds certain poignancy to the words of the national anthem: ‘long to reign over us’. In 2016 she reached another milestone as she celebrated her 90th birthday and in 2017 her and Prince Philip celebrate their 70th platinum wedding anniversary.Her Majesty’s dignity and sense of loyal duty have long assured her of a place in the hearts of her subjects. Having set such a fine example, when Prince Charles eventually takes the crown (followed, one day by Prince William and, in turn, Prince George) we are assured of a monarchy we can be proud of for generations to come.