The Royal Family’s official Twitter account has shared a stunning photograph of the young Queen to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne.
The account, which has over 4.6million followers, marked the milestone by sharing one of the first portraits taken of the Queen, 95, following her accession after he death of her father, King George VI.
She was proclaimed Queen throughout the UK and Commonwealth in the early hours of 6 February 1952, and just 20 days later sat for Dorothy Wilding, the first female photographer to receive a Royal Warrant, for her first official portraits as monarch.
Meanwhile, royal fans gathered in Sandringham this morning in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Her Majesty, who usually spends the day privately.
The Royal Family’s official Twitter account has shared a stunning photograph of the young Queen to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne (pictured)
The account (pictured), which has over 4.6million followers, marked the milestone by sharing one of the first portraits taken of the Queen, 95, following her accession after he death of her father, King George VI
Meanwhile, royal well-wishers gathered by the Sandringham estate’s entrance this morning in hopes of seeing the Queen in person
Fans were not deterred by the reports that the monarch will be celebrating in private today, and gathered in Sandringham (pictured)
Her Majesty (pictured yesterday) was proclaimed Queen throughout the UK and Commonwealth in the early hours of 6 February 1952, and just 20 days later sat for Dorothy Wilding, the first female photographer to receive a Royal Warrant, for her first official portraits as monarch
It was reported the Queen would celebrate the historic moment privately today, but well-wishers were still spotted in Sandringham, hoping to catch a glimpse of her on her special day.
Elsewhere, the Twitter post shared by the Royal Family’s official account showed a portrait of the Queen taken by photographer Dorothy Wilding in 1952.
In it, Her Majesty wears the Queen Mary’s Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara.
The first official photographic sitting with the new Queen was granted to the society photographer Dorothy Wilding.
It took place on 26 February 1952, just 20 days after the accession, followed by a second sitting on 15 April.
A group of fans stayed, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Queen on her special day to congratulate her
A total of 59 photographs were taken by Wilding, showing the Queen dressed in a variety of gowns designed by Norman Hartnell and wearing jewellery including the Diamond Diadem.
‘Today marks 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne, following the death of her father, King George VI,’ the social media post read.
‘Her Majesty was proclaimed Queen throughout the UK and Commonwealth in the early hours of 6 February 1952,’ it added.
The post went on to share a picture of members of the public gathering around Buckingham Palace in the hours following the announcement that their Princess Elizabeth would become Queen.
‘The young Queen was informed of the news while standing in for The King, who was suffering from ill health, on an official Commonwealth visit to Kenya. In an instant, she had ceased to be Princess Elizabeth and became Queen Elizabeth II,’ the Twitter post continued.
Elsewhere, the Royal Family’s Twitter account also explained that the Queen acceded the throne after the passing of King George VI and shared archive pictures of royal well-wishers gathering in front of Buckingham Palace after hearing the news
The Accession Council proclaimed the Queen’s accession to the public on February 6, pictured. The Queen was on a Commonwealth visit to Kenya and immediately set off for Britain
The account also shared a pictures of the Accession Council who met at St James’ Palace upon the Queen’s Accession.
‘The Council made a formal proclamation of the Accession. However, a new Monarch comes to the throne at the moment of death, hence the phrase, “The King is dead, long live The Queen!”.’ it explained.
A short video showed the original copy of the announcement, while elsewhere on social media, royal fans voiced their good wishes.
‘Absolutely amazing woman, so proud to have Elizabeth as our Queen and to be alive to witness this extraordinarily occasion is an honour. God Bless you your Majesty , god save the Queen,’ one said.
‘Your reign Elizabeth ll has been class from the beginning. Celebrating your 70 years. Your father would be immensely proud of you, as are we,’ another enthused.
The Royal Family Twitter account shared a clip showing the official proclamation of the Queen’s accession to the throne
