Elizabeth | |
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Empress Elizabeth in 2015 | |
9th Empress of the Cygnians | |
Reign | 6 February 1952 — present |
Coronation | 2 June 1953 |
Predecessor | George IV |
Successor | Prince Charles, Duke of Sydney |
Chancellors | Robert Menzies Harold Holt Gough Whitlam Malcolm Fraser Bob Hawke Paul Keating John Howard Kevin Rudd Tony Abbott Julia Gillard |
Born | 21 April 1926 (age 97) Perth, Swan, Empire of Cygnia |
Spouse | Philip, Duke of Palmerston (m. 1947) |
Issue | Prince Charles, Duke of Sydney Anne, Princess Imperial Prince Andrew, Duke of Melbourne Prince Edward, Earl of Hobart |
Full name | |
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary | |
House | House of Stuart-Campbell |
Father | George IV |
Mother | Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon |
Religion | Church of Cygnia |
Elizabeth (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; born 21 April 1926) is the current Empress of the Cygnians, having reigned since 6 February 1952.
Elizabeth was the first daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sydney, later Emperor George IV and Empress Elizabeth. Her father acceded to the throne on the abdication of his brother Edward II in 1936, from which time she was the heir presumptive. She began to undertake public duties during the Third World War, serving in the Army Reserve Women's Corps. In 1947, she married Philip, Duke of Palmerston, a prince of Greece and Denmark, with whom she has four children: Prince Charles, Duke of Sydney; Anne, Princess Imperial; Prince Andrew, Duke of Melbourne; and Prince Edward, Earl of Hobart.
When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth became monarch of a newly emerged Union, born from the collapse of the preceding Empire of Cygnia at the close of the Third World War. Her early reign saw the first steps taken after the promulgation of a new constitution, and the decolonisation of Asia. Between 1956 and 1992, the number of her realms varied as territories gained independence and realms, including Malaya, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Ceylon (renamed Sri Lanka), became republics. Her many historic visits and meetings include a state visit to Japan and visits to or from five popes. Significant events have included her coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees in 1977, 2002, and 2012 respectively. In 2017, she became the first Cygnian monarch to reach a Sapphire Jubilee. She is the longest-lived and longest-reigning Cygnian monarch as well as the world's longest-reigning queen regnant and female head of state, the oldest and longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state.
Elizabeth has occasionally faced republican sentiments and press criticism of the royal family, in particular after the breakdown of her children's marriages, her annus horribilis in 1992, and the death in 1997 of her former daughter-in-law Diana, Duchess of Sydney. However, support for the monarchy remains high, as does her personal popularity.
Titles and honours
Royal Family of Cygnia |
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Notable deceased members
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V • T • E |
- 21 April 1926 — 11 December 1936: Her Imperial Highness Princess Elizabeth of Sydney
- 11 December 1936 — 20 November 1947: Her Imperial Highness The Princess Elizabeth
- 20 November 1947 — 6 February 1952: Her Imperial Highness The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Palmerston
- Since 6 February 1952: Her Imperial Majesty The Empress of the Cygnians
Her full title is Her Imperial Majesty Elizabeth, Empress of the Cygnians, Defender of the Faith
- In Latin: Elizabeth, Imperatrix Cygnorum, Fidei Defensor
References
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