Accession Day 2022: Read the Queen’s message in full

In her Platinum Jubilee message to the nation this year the Queen backed the Duchess of Cornwall as Queen Camilla, shaping the future of the monarchy on her historic milestone.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Statement

Here is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee message in full.

"Tomorrow, 6th February, marks the 70th anniversary of my Accession in 1952. It is a day that, even after 70 years, I still remember as much for the death of my father, King George VI, as for the start of my reign.

"As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service.

"As I look ahead with a sense of hope and optimism to the year of my Platinum Jubilee, I am reminded of how much we can be thankful for. These last seven decades have seen extraordinary progress socially, technologically and culturally that have benefitted us all; and I am confident that the future will offer similar opportunities to us and especially to the younger generations in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth.

Today marks 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne, following the death of her father, King George VI.

Her Majesty was proclaimed Queen throughout the UK and Commonwealth in the early hours of 6 February 1952.

📸 Dorothy Wilding @RCT pic.twitter.com/eBfSmjO8SD

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 6, 2022

"I am fortunate to have had the steadfast and loving support of my family. I was blessed that in Prince Philip I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it. It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father’s reign.

"This anniversary also affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years. I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me. And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.

"And so as I look forward to continuing to serve you with all my heart, I hope this Jubilee will bring together families and friends, neighbours and communities – after some difficult times for so many of us – in order to enjoy the celebrations and to reflect on the positive developments in our day-to-day lives that have so happily coincided with my reign.

Your Servant

Elizabeth R."

Upon her Accession, a ceremonial body called the Accession Council met at St James’s Palace. 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!'. pic.twitter.com/EqObSo1Rts

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 6, 2022

Longest serving monarch

The Queen is the first British monarch in history to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.

Elizabeth II will have reigned for 70 years, or 25,568 days, on Sunday, February 6, excluding this Accession Day itself.

She is already the nation’s longest reigning monarch, and the longest still-serving sovereign in the world.

She overtook her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria as the country’s longest reigning monarch in September 2015, passing her ancestor’s 63 years and 216 days.

“Inevitably a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception,” she remarked at the time.