A Royal Unlike Those of Today

Queen Elizabeth II lived 35,204 days, but even on the penultimate one she was there at her beloved Balmoral Castle in Scotland, meeting with the incoming Conservative prime minister, Liz Truss, who became the 15th prime minister of a remarkable reign that began with Winston Churchill. Elizabeth had greatness thrust upon her at 25, when, on February 6, 1952, during a trip to Kenya, she learned of the death of her father, King George VI, and of her immediate succession to the British throne. During her youth, she had no doubt learned a thing or two about British pluck and resolve from her dad. How so? During the Nazi Blitz of London from September 1940 till June 1941, she and her younger sister, Margaret, were sent 23 miles away to the hinterlands of Windsor. But the king stuck around, knowing how important it was for him to be seen. In doing so, he endured along with his fellow Londoners some 28,000 high explosive bombs and more than 400 parachute mines that rained down on and around the city. Keep calm and carry on, as they say