On the 6th of February 1952 King George VI died and Elizabeth became the new Queen. The headline of this newspaper mentions the ancient phrase that seems contraddictory but shows how monarchy never interrupts. Firstly used in France, the phrase highlights the fact that the throne is never empty. Elizabeth was in Africa, on a trip to Kenya with Prince Philip when she received the message of her father’s death. Jim Corbett, a British hunter who was with the Royal couple wrote the sentence that has become one of the most popular of that day “For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess and after having what she described as her most thrilling experience she climbed down from the tree next day a Queen.”.
Queen Elizabeth had the first broadcast Coronation Cerimony in history on the 2nd June 1953.
The Coronation brought the nation together, as 10.4 million people watched in the homes of friends and neighbours, and 1.5 million watched in public places like pubs and cinemas. The BBC coverage of the event included cameras installed inside Westminster Abbey for the first time, to show the Coronation Service. The Queen gave her permission for this departure, against official advice – revealing the monarchy’s willingness to move with the times. Television commentary in the Abbey was provided by Richard Dimbleby, with 7 other commentators including Bernard Braden and Brian Johnston providing coverage along the processional route.
The BBC’s Coronation coverage was broadcast around the world. In the United States 85 million people watched recordings of the highlights, while in Germany all 11 hours of coverage were transmitted. Reaction to the broadcasts was overwhelmingly positive. With competition from ITV only 3 years away, the BBC established an early lead as the trusted and reliable broadcaster of national events.
TEACHING IDEAS:
- https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/100-voices/birth-of-tv/two-coronations/ TWO CORONATIONS: A COMPARISON
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/how-the-commonwealth-of-nations-arose-from-a-crumbling-british-empire FROM EMPIRE TO COMMONWEALTH
- LESSON PLAN – BECOMING A QUEEN https://cge-media-library.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/28141707/Queen-Elizabeth-II-Becoming-the-sovereign-1.pdf
- CREATE A PLAYLIST FOR THE JUBILEE and explain
- VARIOUS LESSON PLANS https://www.rct.uk/discover/school-resources/school-resources-for-the-platinum-jubilee-2022
In her 70 years of reign Queen Elizabeth has experienced a variety of historical events.
TEACHING IDEAS:
- LEARN ENGLISH WITH “THE CROWN” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm_DBxsvDwI
- SHORT STORY COMPETITION https://www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/learning/short-story-competition/teaching-resources/
- WRITE A POEM FOR THE JUBILEE
And now, being the first Queen to clebrate the 70th anniversary, a huge amount of events have been organized for her including a specific prayer published by the Church of England to be used thoughout the year.
Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
bless our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth,
and all who are in authority under her;
that they may order all things
in wisdom and equity, righteousness and peace,
to the honour and glory of your name
and the good of your Church and people;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
TEACHING IDEAS:
- Analysis of the prayer
- THE PLATINUM PUDDING COMPETITION https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/the-platinum-pudding-competition/ (Ask your students to create their video recipe)
- HISTORY IN PICTURES https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/in-pictures-the-uks-history-of-jubilee-medals/
- WENSTMISTER ABBEY https://www.westminster-abbey.org/learning/teaching-resources
One more year and she will be the longest reigning monarch not only of the UK but in the history of our world. “God save the Queen”.