It’s a wonderful and special time for fans of the Royal Family – as it’s Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
Not only is there a four-day bank holiday across the UK (woo), but also plenty of celebratory events and parties, including the annual Trooping The Colour parade.
The Platinum Jubilee marks Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne, making her the longest-reigning monarch in our history.
Previously, the record was held by Queen Victoria, who reigned for almost 64 years.
Naturally, as monarchs, Elizabeth and Victoria are related – but how exactly?Here’s what you need to know.
Queen Victoria is Queen Elizabeth II’s great-great grandmother.
Victoria was born in 1819, and succeeded her uncle King William IV to the throne in 1838.
With Prince Albert, she had many children – including her oldest son Albert Edward, who grew up to become King Edward VII – and Elizabeth’s great-grandad.
Edward VII’s son, King George V, was Elizabeth’s grandad, with wife Queen Mary (of Teck) her grandmother.
His eldest son, Edward VIII, was Elizabeth’s uncle. He was briefly king, until he abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. He then became known as The Duke of Windsor.
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And it was then the second son, Elizabeth’s beloved father – known to his family as Bertie – who unexpectedly acceded the throne as King George VI.
Upon his death in February 1952, Elizabeth – then known by her title Princess Elizabeth, The Duchess of Edinburgh – immediately became Queen of the United Kingdom aged 25.
Interestingly, the relationship with Queen Victoria means that Queen Elizabeth and her late husband, Prince Philip, were distantly related.
Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh were technically third cousins.
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