Major Controversies Surrounding Elizabeth II: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Elizabeth II.

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

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.

1957: Lord Altrincham's Criticism

In 1957, Lord Altrincham criticized Elizabeth II's speeches as sounding like those of a "priggish schoolgirl".

1963: Appointment of Alec Douglas-Home

In 1963, Elizabeth II appointed Alec Douglas-Home as prime minister on the advice of Harold Macmillan, leading to further criticism.

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.

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.

1984: Miners' strike of 1984–85

During a royal tour of The Times' offices in 1984, Elizabeth II commented on the miners' strike of 1984–85, stating that it was "all about one man" (referring to Arthur Scargill).

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.

1993: Royal Finances Reform

From 1993 onwards, plans were announced to reform the royal finances, including Elizabeth II paying income tax and a reduction in the civil list. These reforms were drawn up in the previous year.

October 1995: Hoax Call

In October 1995, Elizabeth II was tricked into a hoax call by Montreal radio host Pierre Brassard, impersonating Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien, where she expressed support for Canadian unity.

October 1997: State Visit to India and Jallianwala Bagh

In October 1997, Elizabeth II made a state visit to India, including a visit to the site of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Despite protests, she and Philip laid a wreath and stood for a moment of silence.

2003: Lawsuit Against Daily Mirror

In 2003, Elizabeth II sued the Daily Mirror for breach of confidence and obtained an injunction preventing them from publishing information gathered by a reporter posing as a footman at Buckingham Palace.

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.

2014: Scottish independence referendum

Following the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Prime Minister David Cameron stated that Elizabeth II was pleased with the outcome. She had told one woman outside Balmoral Kirk that she hoped people would think "very carefully" about the outcome.

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.