How long has Queen Elizabeth been on the throne and when was she crowned?

Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to The Royal Australian Air Force Memorial on March 31, 2021 near Egham, England. (Picture: Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 95th birthday today, not long after having laid her late husband, Prince Phillip, to rest.

The Duke of Edinburgh died on April 9, aged 99.

As the Queen celebrates her birthday with a rota of visiting relatives set to join her for dog walks around Windsor, now seems an opportune time to reflect on how much we know about Her Majesty’s reign.

Here are some facts about her ascension to the throne, and landmark reign.

How long has Queen Elizabeth been queen?

Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne for just over 69 years, which of course means that next year will mark her 70th year on the throne.

To commemorate such a landmark, a special four-day Bank Holiday weekend is being planned for summer 2022, to mark what will be the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Queen is set to enter the milestone 70th year of her reign next year (Picture: Getty Images)

Even without having hit that landmark quite yet, the Queen is still the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

Her 69 years of service puts her six years ahead of the second longest-reigning monarch, Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted 63 years.

The shortest reign is said to have been held by Lady Jane Grey, who ruled for just 9 days from 6 July until 15 July 1553.

When was Queen Elizabeth II crowned?

The coronation of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, took place on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey, London. (Picture: Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne occurred on February 6th 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI, who was crowned King after his brother Edward VIII abdicated in 1936.

Her Majesty’s coronation, however did not take place until 16 months after her ascension, as it is tradition to allow for an appropriate amount of time to mourn the previous monarch before such festivities can take place.

The coronation eventually took place on the 2nd June 1953, where over 8,000 guests attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, making Her Majesty the thirty-ninth Sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey.

Her dress, designed by British Fashion designer Norman Hartnell, was made of white satin and embroidered with delicate gold and silver thread emblems, now forms a part of the Royal Collection trust.

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