Challenges in the Life of Elizabeth II in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Elizabeth II's life and career.

Elizabeth II reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms from 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states and monarch of 15 at the time of her death. Her reign, lasting 70 years and 214 days, is the longest of any British monarch and the second-longest of any sovereign.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

September 1939: Britain Enters WWII

In September 1939, Britain entered the Second World War, leading to discussions about evacuating Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret to Canada, which was rejected.

November 1956: Suez Canal Invasion

In November 1956, Britain and France invaded Egypt in an attempt to capture the Suez Canal. Lord Mountbatten suggested that Elizabeth II opposed the invasion, though Eden denied it. The invasion was ultimately unsuccessful.

1957: Criticism from Lord Altrincham

In 1957, Lord Altrincham criticized Elizabeth II in his magazine, accusing her of being "out of touch", leading to public denouncement and physical assault on Altrincham.

1964: Visit to Quebec and Montreal Riot

Before her tour through parts of Quebec in 1964, the press reported that extremists within the Quebec separatist movement were plotting Elizabeth's assassination. No assassination attempt was made, but a riot did break out while she was in Montreal.

1965: Rhodesia Declares Independence

In 1965, the Rhodesian prime minister, Ian Smith, unilaterally declared independence with Elizabeth II as "Queen of Rhodesia", in opposition to moves towards majority rule. Elizabeth formally dismissed him, and sanctions were applied against Rhodesia.

1966: Aberfan Disaster

In 1966, Elizabeth II was criticized for waiting eight days before visiting Aberfan, where a mining disaster killed 116 children and 28 adults.

1975: Australian Constitutional Crisis

In 1975, during the Australian constitutional crisis, Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. Elizabeth II declined to reverse Kerr's decision, saying she would not interfere in decisions reserved for the governor-general.

1977: Trudeau's Antics at Buckingham Palace

In 1977, Pierre Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, pirouetted behind Elizabeth's back at Buckingham Palace.

1978: State Visit by Nicolae Ceaușescu

In 1978, Elizabeth II endured a state visit to the United Kingdom by Romania's communist leader, Nicolae Ceaușescu, and his wife, Elena.

1981: Attacks on Elizabeth II

In 1981, during the Trooping the Colour ceremony, six shots were fired at Elizabeth II. Later that year, during a visit to Dunedin, New Zealand, another shot was fired at Elizabeth, but missed.

1983: Mental Health Act 1983

After being sentenced, Jaswant Singh Chail was placed under a hybrid order under section 45A of the Mental Health Act 1983, ordering that he remain at Broadmoor Hospital to be transferred into custody only after receiving psychiatric treatment.

1983: Invasion of Grenada

After hosting US president Ronald Reagan at Windsor Castle in 1982 and visiting his California ranch in 1983, Elizabeth was angered when his administration ordered the invasion of Grenada, one of her Caribbean realms, without informing her.

July 1986: Elizabeth II Worried About Thatcher's Policies

In July 1986, The Sunday Times reported that Elizabeth II was worried that Margaret Thatcher's economic policies fostered social divisions, high unemployment, riots, the violence of a miners' strike, and Thatcher's refusal to apply sanctions against the apartheid regime in South Africa.

September 1986: Media and Royal Family

In September 1986, newspaper editor Donald Trelford wrote in The Observer that the boundary between fact and fiction regarding the royal family had been blurred due to intense media interest and sensational stories.

1987: Criticism and Political Divides

In 1987, Elizabeth II faced satire and ridicule after younger royals participated in the charity game show It's a Royal Knockout. Additionally, in Canada, she publicly supported politically divisive constitutional amendments, drawing criticism. The same year, after a military coup in Fiji, she supported the Governor-General's attempts to negotiate a settlement before Fiji was declared a republic.

November 1992: Annus Horribilis Speech and Windsor Castle Fire

In November 1992, Elizabeth II referred to 1992 as her 'annus horribilis' during a speech marking her Ruby Jubilee. This followed a series of negative events, including the separation of Prince Andrew, the divorce of Princess Anne, egg-throwing demonstrators in Dresden, and a large fire at Windsor Castle.

1992: Annus Horribilis

1992 was Elizabeth II's "annus horribilis", a year marked by several scandals and breakdowns in her children's marriages.

August 1997: Diana's Death and Family Reaction

In August 1997, after Diana's death in Paris, Elizabeth II was at Balmoral with her family. She shielded her grandsons from the press for five days, leading to public dismay over the royal family's silence and seclusion.

1997: Death of Diana, Princess of Wales

In 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, the former daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II, died, triggering significant media attention and public mourning.

May 2007: Reported Frustration with Tony Blair

In May 2007, The Daily Telegraph reported that Elizabeth II was "exasperated and frustrated" by Tony Blair's policies, particularly regarding the British Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

March 2020: Move to Windsor Castle due to COVID-19

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II moved to Windsor Castle and sequestered there as a precaution, cancelling public engagements.

April 2021: Death of Prince Philip

On April 9, 2021, Prince Philip died after 73 years of marriage, making Elizabeth the first British monarch to reign as a widow or widower since Queen Victoria. She remarked that his death had "left a huge void".

February 2023: Jaswant Singh Chail pleaded guilty.

In February 2023, Jaswant Singh Chail pleaded guilty to attempting to injure or alarm the sovereign, for breaking into Windsor Castle gardens using a rope ladder and carrying a crossbow with the aim of assassinating Elizabeth in revenge for the Amritsar massacre.