Queen Elizabeth II (April 21, 1926 – September 8, 2022) was monarch of the United Kingdom from February 6 1952, till her demise in 2022. Her tenure of seven decades and 214 days was the longest of any British queen and the second-longest of any modern country’s ruler. Apart from the United Kingdom, Elizabeth was Queen over 14 other Commonwealth states at the moment of her death.
A look at her visits to India:
- Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on 08-09-22 at the age of 96, has made three Official visits to India since taking the throne in 1952.
- The late Queen Elizabeth treasured the “warmth and friendliness” she enjoyed from the nation during her trips throughout her reign.
- According to Hindustan Times, she stated in one of her speeches, “The warmth and hospitality of the Indian people and the richness and diversity of India itself have been an inspiration to all of us,”
Her First Visit to India:
- Her first official visit as Britain’s Queen was in 1961, when she travelled to Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai with her spouse, the late Prince Phillip, and she even visited the Taj Mahal in Agra. She also gave respect to Mahatma Gandhi at New Delhi’s Raj Ghat.
- The queen greeted a big crowd at Delhi’s Ramlila arena, clad in her distinctive fur coat and bonnet. At the invitation of former President Dr Rajendra Prasad, the royal couple came to India as chief guests during the Republic Day Parade.
Her Second and Third Visit to India:
- She bestowed an honourable Order of the Merit on Mother Teresa during her second official visit.
- Her third and last visit was notable because it was the first time she mentioned “tough moments” of colonial history, like the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh.
- According to Hindustan Times, the queen remarked in her dinner address, “It is no secret that there have been some difficult episodes in our past. Jallianwala Bagh is a distressing example.”
- Later, the queen and her husband visited the slaughter site to lay a wreath at the monument.
- Notably, the longest-reigning monarch has received three Indian presidents: Dr Radhakrishnan in 1963, R. Venkataraman in 1990, and Pratibha Patil in 2009.
- According to the Hindustan Times, in her State Banquet statement to President Patil at Buckingham Palace, the queen remarked, “Britain and India have a long-shared history which today is a source of great strength in building a new partnership fit for this new century.”
- She also stated, “Nearly 2 million of our own citizens are tied by descent and enduring family links to India. They represent one of the United Kingdom’s most dynamic and successful communities… relations between our two countries are built on strong and deep foundations, and are set fair for the 21st century.”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on her demise, referring to the Queen as “a stalwart of our times.”
- PM Modi praised her outstanding leadership to her country and people, saying she embodied integrity and compassion in public life. He also recalled memorable encounters during his travels to the United Kingdom in 2015 and 2018.
- He also tweeted, “I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings, she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her at her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture.”
