November 19, 2017
November 19, 2017
HM Queen and HRH Duke of Edinburgh – Platinum WeddingThe royal couple poses in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. – Matt Holyoak
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, has gone platinum! No, we're not talking about the British matriarch's hair — the queen celebrates 70 years of marriage to Prince Philip on Nov. 20, a milestone known as the platinum anniversary.
The prince, 96, and the queen, 91, are the first British monarchs to reach 70 years together. To commemorate the occasion, they've released a new series of portraits captured by British photographer Matt Holyoak at Windsor Castle earlier this month.
Being a fashion plate has long been an unofficial royal duty, and the queen is elegant as ever in a cream dress by Angela Kelly. Even her jewelry has a serious pedigree — the gold, ruby and diamond 'Scarab' brooch, designed by Andrew Grima, was a personal gift from Prince Phillip in 1966.
If you look behind them, you'll see the watchful eyes of King George III and Queen Charlotte in portrait form, as rendered by Thomas Gainsborough in 1781.
Future Queen MarriesThe couple at their wedding in 1947.– Corbis via Getty Images
The two met when they were just starry-eyed teenagers, and their marriage has weathered the public eye and the demands of royalty. Last February, Queen Elizabeth celebrated 65 years on the throne — making her the longest-serving royal in British history — and Prince Phillip has been by her side the whole time.
Image: (FILE) 60 Years Since The Coronation Of Queen Elizabeth II. The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953. – Keystone
Like any couple, they've had their ups and downs, but some of their hardest moments have helped create their deep bond. Back in 1952, Prince Phillip was the one who broke the news to his wife that her father, George VI, had died and that she was now queen.
Image:Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II arrive at Royal Ascot race meeting in 1962.- AP
"One of the secrets of this very, very long marriage, and it's an incredibly impressive anniversary, is the fact Prince Philip has always seen it as his main duty to support the queen, to help her in whatever way he can," royal historian Hugo Vickers told Reuters.
"He is the only person who can actually tell the queen absolutely straight what he thinks, and if he thinks some idea is ridiculous he will say so in whatever language he chooses to use."
TODAY, product courtesy of merchant siteThe queen holds her 12-week-old son, Prince Edward, in 1964. – AP
The couple has four children: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. Prince Charles, 69, is the heir to the throne.
Queen Elizabeth at a Picnic with the Royal Family. An extraordinary family enjoying an ordinary picnic on the lawn. – Bettmann
While the prince, who was hospitalized last June for health issues, is officially retired from public life, the two still make sporadic appearances. They both attended the Royal Festival of Remembrance earlier this month. They were also spotted at the annual Trooping the Colour parade in June, and made a too-cute showing feeding elephants at the Whipsnade Zoo last April.
Image: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip to celebrate platinum wedding anniversaryOlder? Yes. Less adorable? Never! – ANDY RAIN
Congratulations to these two on a beautiful life and legacy together.
Courtesy/Source: TODAY
