70th anniversary of royal engagement

THE Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were today celebrating 70 years since they became engaged.

On July 10 1947, Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, as they were then known, were pictured arm in arm at Buckingham Palace to mark the official announcement.

Elizabeth was just 21 and Philip, who had renounced his Greek royal title and become a naturalised British subject, was 26.

The beaming princess was wearing her elegant, square cut diamond and platinum engagement ring which the groom had had made using stones from one of his mother’s tiaras.

A delighted looking Philip, who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, was dressed in his smart naval suit for the engagement photos.

The Queen and Philip will reach a milestone 70 years of marriage — their platinum anniversary — in November.

They married in Westminster Abbey on November 20 1947.

Within five years, the princess had acceded to the throne, and is she now the nation’s longest reigning monarch.

Their long-lasting union is seen as a key source of stability within the monarchy.

The 96-year-old Duke is gearing up for his retirement from public duties after the summer following decades of royal service. QUIZ ANSWERS: 1.Tin and lead. 2. Linford Christie. 3. Corona. 4. Skye. 5. John Donne. 6.Tuberculosis. Missing link:YARD.