CHURCHES across Worcestershire are being encouraged to ring their bells on Wednesday, September 9, to mark the day when the Queen becomes the country’s longest reigning monarch.
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Among the photographs is a black-and-white portrait by Dorothy Wilding from 1952, taken soon after Princess Elizabeth became Queen after the death of her father, King George VI, on February 6.
Decades may have passed but the picture shows the Queen, then 28, beaming with joy and radiating her usual warmth.
Another shot by Calder shows the Queen sitting at her desk at Balmoral in 2012.
Entry will be included in the price of a general admission ticket.
The blue and gold designs were inspired by the original Coronation programme from June 2 1953, when the Queen was crowned at Westminster Abbey, 16 months after she acceded to the throne.
Also on Sunday, September 13, at Worcester Cathedral, the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Lt Col Patrick Holcroft, and other civic guests will attend Evensong at 4pm to celebrate this milestone in the Queen’s reign.
The hour long documentary, which will be presented by Sophie Raworth, looks at the reigns of both Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria, asking how they have managed to provide such enduring stability in an ever-changing world.
Buckingham Palace shared two vintage snapshots of a young Queen Elizabeth this week.
Family activities will also be held at the castle on September 12 as part of the celebrations, there will be performances of 1950s music, crown-making art workshops and dressing up.
At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the family events will take place on September 19 and include family garden party tours.
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This year’s Order of the Garter ceremony at the Windsor Castle saw a royal photo exhibition that comprised of photographs from the Queen’s earliest days in reign to mark her as the longest serving sovereign of the nation.
