New Delhi: Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-serving monarch of the UK. She was born on April 21, 1926, in London. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York-- who later became King George VI -- and Queen Elizabeth. At that time, Princess Elizabeth and her family did not expect that she would one day become the monarch.
Her Royal Highness was expected to live a relatively normal, if privileged, life with her close-knit and loving family. But everything changed in December 1936 when her uncle - King Edward VIII - abdicated, leaving her father as King, and her as next in line to the throne.
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Then Princess Elizabeth later married Philip Mountbatten in November 1947. And after death of her father King George VI, Princess Elizabeth ascended the throne on February 6, 1952.Following Queen Elizabeth's death on Thursday at the age of 96, let’s recall the times when she visited India.
Queen Elizabeth II was first British monarch to visit India
Queen Elizabeth visited India three times in 1961, 1983 and 1997 with her husband and Duke of Edinburgh late Prince Phillip during his lifetime. Queen Elizabeth II was the first British monarch to visit India in 50 years, after her grandfather, King George V and Queen Mary's visit in 1911. Then President Dr Rajendra Prasad, Vice President Dr S. Radhakrishnan and PM Jawaharlal Nehru received Her Majesty and Prince Philip at the airport on 21 January 1961.
Queen Elizabeth was Guest of Honour at the Republic Day parade
Queen was the Guest of Honour at the Republic Day parade. She was seen walking along with Dr Rajendra Prasad, former President of India. Queen Elizabeth addressed a massive crowd in an event hosted by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to welcome the royal couple in Ramlila Ground in 1961.
Queen Elizabeth visited Taj Mahal
The Queen and the Duke visited Jaipur, where they were welcomed in a traditional Indian way. The Queen with then Maharaja of Jaipur Sawai Man Singh II rode an elephant near the City Palace. Queen Elizabeth visited Taj Mahal in Agra.
Queen Elizabeth in Varanasi
During her India tour, she was seen riding a specially decorated elephant in Varanasi in 1961. The royal couple visited the Gateway of India in Mumbai during their 1961 tour. Queen Elizabeth II was welcomed with a gigantic garland in Madras. She was amazed looking at it.
Queen Elizabeth met Mother Teresa
After 1961, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited India again in 1983 and 1997, when India marked the 50th year of its Independence. Her Majesty the Queen also met then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1983 in New Delhi.
Both of them looked beautiful in their attire as PM Indira Gandhi was in a saree while the Queen too was in an elegant dress. In 1983, Queen Elizabeth II visited Mother Teresa of Calcutta in New Delhi and presented her with the Order of Merit. (ANI)
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