Monarch celebrates 70 years on throne

Queen will mark accession Day in windsor

It is a bittersweet milestone that the Queen would have traditionally marked in quiet reflection at Sandringham.

but as she heralds the start of her 70th year of reign Saturday, she will mark the anniversary of her accession at Windsor for the first time in more than 30 years.

Here, she will conduct private prayers, and will have the option of visiting her parents’ tomb in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, within St. George’s Chapel in the castle grounds.

The last time the Queen spent the day away from Sandringham, her Norfolk home, was in 1990, when on an official visit to New Zealand. She has otherwise chosen to remain there after Christmas.

It was here that King George VI died peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 6, 1952, after suffering from lung cancer.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said: “It would seem to be 31 years since the Queen wasn’t at Sandringham on Accession day.

He added: “It’s less of a tug on the heartstrings than it would have been in the early years of her reign. but clearly, it is a very important day for her and it always will be.”