WIZS News Special Report —
These days, twenty-somethings have their life ahead of them to do as they wish: some 25-year-olds are in graduate school, others are well into their life in the world of work. Some are married with children and some are enjoying the singles scene.
But in 1952, one 25-year-old woman began her reign as queen of England. Today, that 70-year reign came to an end when Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96.
The WIZS News team joined others across the world Thursday to offer remembrances of a woman who shared the world stage while 14 U.S. Presidents came and went.
Queen Elizabeth II made four official state visits to the United States and, no doubt, met innumerable dignitaries during her time on U.S. soil. But WIZS friend and special correspondent Brandon Boyd said she met with the same person on each of her four visits: golfer Arnold Palmer. “She followed Arnold Palmer all during his golf career,” Boyd told John C. Rose and Bill Harris during a special report at the top of the 5 p.m. newscast.
Perhaps it was her love of golf, so revered in her native Scotland, that drew her to Palmer. Or it could have been his nickname that did it: Palmer was known as The King. Whatever the reason, Palmer and Queen Elizabeth enjoyed a special friendship.
Regular listeners to WIZS know that Bill Harris is a genealogy enthusiast with a keen nose for history.
“Most folks of English descent,” Harris said, whose ancestors came to the Colonies back in the days before 1776, could trace their lineage back to shared ancestors with the Queen. Harris said he has done just that, and finds that he is an 18th cousin – twice removed – to Queen Elizabeth II.
That’s more than three U.S. Presidents can claim: Martin Van Buren was of Dutch heritage, Dwight Eisenhower was of Swiss heritage and John F. Kennedy was of Irish heritage.
Queen Elizabeth II will no doubt be remembered for many things, from her historic reign to her love of the Corgi dogs that were always seen by her side. It was said she loved that breed “because of its energy and untamed spirit,” Boyd noted, adding that that was symbolic of the way she reigned. “She had a remarkable life and an amazing run.”
During that run, she appointed 15 prime ministers to their roles – some longer than others, depending on how long Parliament enjoyed their performance in office. Her first prime minister was none other than Winston Churchill. And just three days ago, the Queen was photographed at her Scottish home, Balmoral Castle, welcoming Liz Truss as the newest prime minister.
Churchill was born in 1874. Truss was born in 1975, nearly a century apart.
President Joe Biden issued a lengthy statement upon learning of the Queen’s death. “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch,” he said. “She defined an era,” adding that she was “a stateswoman of unmatched dignity.”
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