Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Queen of Australia, signs letters patent allowing Australia to become the first Commonwealth realm to institute its own Victoria Cross in its honours system.

Queen Elizabeth II: A Reign Defined by Duty and Transformation

Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21 April 1926, in Mayfair, London, Elizabeth II ascended to the throne as Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms. These realms, while independent nations, share Elizabeth II as their head of state. Her early life was shaped by unexpected circumstances: as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (who would later become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth), she was not initially expected to become monarch. However, the abdication of her uncle, King Edward VIII, in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, dramatically altered the line of succession, making her father king and Elizabeth the heir presumptive. Her education was conducted privately at home, a common practice for royals at the time, but her public duties began notably during the tumultuous period of the Second World War, where she served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) as a truck driver and mechanic, demonstrating a commitment to national service even as a young princess.

In November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, in a union that would become the longest royal marriage in British history, enduring for an impressive 73 years until Prince Philip's passing in 2021. Together, they raised four children: Charles, Prince of Wales (the current heir apparent); Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

Accession and Enduring Leadership

Upon the untimely death of her father in February 1952, Elizabeth, at just 25 years old, became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Her coronation took place on 2 June 1953, a magnificent spectacle broadcast internationally, marking the dawn of a new Elizabethan era. Beyond her role as sovereign of these realms, she also became Head of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal sovereign states, a position vital for fostering international cooperation and goodwill.

Throughout her unprecedented reign, Queen Elizabeth II navigated immense political and societal changes as a constitutional monarch, maintaining a steadfast presence during periods of significant upheaval. These transformations included the complexities of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the implementation of devolution within the United Kingdom, the widespread decolonisation of Africa which saw many former British territories gain independence, and the United Kingdom's dynamic relationship with Europe, encompassing its accession to the European Communities (the precursor to the European Union) in 1973 and its historic withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit) in 2020. The number of realms under her sovereignty has naturally evolved as territories gained independence, with some opting to become republics, such as South Africa in 1961 and Pakistan in 1956. Her extensive diplomatic efforts are highlighted by numerous historic visits and meetings, including a groundbreaking state visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011, symbolizing a new era of Anglo-Irish relations, and interactions with five different popes, underscoring her role on the global stage.

Milestones and Challenges

Her reign has been punctuated by grand celebrations marking her significant anniversaries on the throne. These include the Silver Jubilee in 1977, the Golden Jubilee in 2002, the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, each celebrated with widespread public festivities and events across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms. Queen Elizabeth II holds numerous records, including being the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch, surpassing Queen Victoria's record in 2015. She is also recognized as the longest-serving female head of state in history, the oldest living and longest-reigning current monarch globally, and the oldest and longest-serving incumbent head of state.

Despite her enduring popularity, the Queen and the wider royal family have occasionally faced republican sentiment and criticism from the press. Particularly challenging periods included the breakdown of her children's marriages in the early 1990s, the "annus horribilis" (horrible year) of 1992—marked by a major fire at Windsor Castle and the public separation of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, among other royal marital difficulties—and the intense public reaction following the tragic death of her former daughter-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. However, opinion polls consistently show high levels of support for the monarchy in the United Kingdom, mirroring her remarkable personal popularity, which has remained a testament to her dedication and steadfast service.

Frequently Asked Questions About Queen Elizabeth II

How many Commonwealth realms did Elizabeth II reign over at the beginning of her reign?
Upon her accession in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon.
What was the "annus horribilis" for Queen Elizabeth II?
The "annus horribilis" (Latin for "horrible year") refers to 1992, which Queen Elizabeth II herself described as such. This year saw a major fire at Windsor Castle, the separation of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and the divorces of Princess Anne and Prince Andrew, bringing significant challenges and public scrutiny to the royal family.
What significant records does Queen Elizabeth II hold?
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch, the longest-serving female head of state in history, the oldest living and longest-reigning current monarch, and the oldest and longest-serving incumbent head of state globally.

The Victoria Cross for Australia: Honouring Exceptional Gallantry

The Victoria Cross for Australia stands as the pre-eminent award in the Australian Honours System, signifying the highest recognition for acts of extraordinary bravery. This distinct Australian decoration superseded the British Victoria Cross for conferral upon Australians, establishing a unique national honour for valor. The Victoria Cross for Australia is specifically "for according recognition to persons who in the presence of the enemy, perform acts of the most conspicuous gallantry, or daring or pre-eminent acts of valour or self-sacrifice or display extreme devotion to duty." This stringent criterion ensures that only the most exceptional and courageous actions are acknowledged.

The creation of this esteemed award was formalized by letters patent – a legal instrument issued by a sovereign – signed by Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Queen of Australia, on 15 January 1991. Within the Australian Order of Wear, a system that dictates the precedence of medals and decorations, the Victoria Cross for Australia is ranked equally first with the original British Victoria Cross, signifying its paramount importance over all other orders, decorations, and medals within Australia. The decoration is primarily awarded to members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) but can also be extended to other persons as determined by the Australian Minister for Defence, allowing for recognition of gallantry from non-military personnel in specific contexts. Recipients of the Victoria Cross for Australia are entitled to use the prestigious post-nominal letters "VC" after their name, a universally recognized symbol of supreme bravery.

Award Process and Notable Recipients

The award process for the Victoria Cross for Australia involves a rigorous review: the Governor-General of Australia, as the Queen's representative, bestows the award with the formal approval of the Sovereign (the monarch), acting upon the recommendation of the Minister for Defence. This recommendation is further subject to review by the Defence Honours and Awards Appeal Tribunal, ensuring thoroughness and fairness. As of February 2021, five Victoria Cross for Australia awards had been conferred, with two of these being granted posthumously, recognizing valor in the face of ultimate sacrifice.

The first recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia was Trooper Mark Donaldson, who received the award on 16 January 2009. He was honoured for his heroic actions on 2 September 2008, in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, where he rescued a wounded International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) interpreter under heavy enemy fire, demonstrating incredible courage and selflessness. Donaldson's award held particular significance as it came almost 40 years after Warrant Officer Keith Payne became the last Australian to be awarded the original British Victoria Cross on 24 May 1969, for his gallantry during the Vietnam War. A notable procedural difference between the Australian and original British VC awards is that for the Australian VC, the announcement of the award has, to date, always occurred concurrently with its presentation by the Governor-General, typically in the presence of the Prime Minister, creating a single, impactful public event. In contrast, the announcement of the British VC can sometimes precede the formal presentation by a considerable period. Both recipients of the Victoria Cross for Australia and the original British Victoria Cross are entitled to a Victoria Cross allowance under Australia's Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, a financial benefit recognizing their extraordinary service and sacrifice.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Victoria Cross for Australia

What is the primary purpose of the Victoria Cross for Australia?
The Victoria Cross for Australia is the highest award in the Australian Honours System, created to recognize individuals who perform acts of the most conspicuous gallantry, daring, pre-eminent acts of valour or self-sacrifice, or display extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.
Who created the Victoria Cross for Australia and when?
The Victoria Cross for Australia was created by letters patent signed by Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Queen of Australia, on 15 January 1991.
Can non-military personnel receive the Victoria Cross for Australia?
While primarily awarded to members of the Australian Defence Force, the decoration may also be awarded to "other persons" as determined by the Australian Minister for Defence, allowing for recognition beyond strict military roles in specific circumstances.
What is the significance of the post-nominals "VC" after a recipient's name?
The post-nominal letters "VC" signify that the person has been awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, a mark of the highest honour for bravery and valor.
What financial benefit do Victoria Cross recipients receive in Australia?
Both recipients of the Victoria Cross for Australia and the original British Victoria Cross are entitled to a Victoria Cross allowance under the Australian Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.