Kings and Queens
Elizabeth II (1952 – Present)
The monarchy today will be regarded as ‘the media monarchy’. When Elizabeth took the throne aged 27, she insisted that the Coronation ceremony was broadcast on television, setting a precedent for her life. The increasingly important role of mass media communication during the Twentieth Century has ensured that as Queen, the life of Elizabeth and that of her family would be scrutinised in the public eye more than any other British Royal Family.To this day the Queen is the second-longest-serving head of state in the world, after King Bhumibol of Thailand and the third-longest serving British monarch - after George III and Victoria. Her reign of over half a century has seen ten different Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and numerous Prime Ministers in the other Commonwealth Realms of which she is or was Head of State.
Despite the many family scandals during her reign, Elizabeth herself has remained free from any such incidences and now, having just celebrated her 80th birthday, the Queen is arguably more popular with the British public than ever.
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