It’s strange to think that for the first time since James Bond first graced the pages of Casino Royale in 1953 the UK and Commonwealth no longer has Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.
She became queen in 1952 after the death of her father, George VI, while visiting Kenya with her husband, Prince Philip and reigned for an astonishing 70 years. That makes her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. 96 year old Elizabeth was also the last surviving member of the British royal family’s “War Generation” and the last monarch born before World War II.
She has been such a constant that the UK seems to be in a state of collective grief perhaps not experienced since the death of Princess Diana; she seems to be universally admired like few other people in public service.
As well as appearing in the background of every film as 007 goes to work for Queen and Country, Queen Elizabeth attended numerous Bond premieres over the years. In the video above the Queen and James Bond make a spectacular entrance at the 2012 London Olympics.
