Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom began her monarchy in 1952, five years after India attained independence from the massive colonial empire she presided over.
The British emperor, who died on Thursday and left the throne to his son Charles, was considered to have a special affection for India. Her connection to Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, and her husband Prince Philip’s maternal uncle, who pushed his nephew into the British royal family, aided this relationship.
Her death occurred on the same day that the Indian government changed the historic Rajpath to Kartavya Path.
The ceremonial avenue extending from the Raisina Hill complex to India Gate began its trip as Kingsway, created after the royal seat of administrative was relocated from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911 under the rule of Elizabeth’s grandfather, King George V. During their inaugural royal visit to India in 1961, the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, saw the Republic Day Parade on this promenade as Guests of Honour.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Visit To India
Queen’s Visit To India In The Republic Day Parade – 1961
Her trip to India in 1961 was the first by a reigning British queen since the nation’s independence. At the invitation of then-President Rajendra Prasad, the Queen and her late husband Prince Phillip attended the Republic Day Parade as guests of honor. A memorable photo from the trip depicts the Queen giving a speech to a large throng at Delhi’s Ramlila Grounds while wearing a fur coat and cap.
Agra, Bombay, Benares, Udaipur, Jaipur, Bangalore, Madras, and Calcutta were among the places they visited. Queen Elizabeth even traveled to Rajghat to honor Mahatma Gandhi at his monument.
Commonwealth Meeting In 1983
Former Indian President Giani Zail Singh requested the Queen to visit India in 1983. Her tour coincided with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and she was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip. The royal couple met Mother Teresa and bestowed an honorable Order of Merit on her.
Queen Elizabeth II toured in 1997
In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of India’s independence from British rule, Elizabeth II made her third visit to the country. She paid a visit to the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial in Amritsar, Punjab, where she lowered her head and laid a wreath.
For the first time, she alluded to tough episodes in colonial history. “It is no secret that we have had some difficult times in the past. Jallianwala Bagh is a tragic example. The monarch mentioned this in her banquet speech.
PM Modi Remembers Queen Elizabeth II
After the announcement of the Queen’s passing circulated, condolences flooded in from all over the world. PM Narendra Modi posted a message of condolence on Twitter. He talked about his encounters with the Queen from his trips to the country in 2015 and 2018. Furthermore, the prime minister related anecdote. “I’ll never forget her kindness and warmth. She showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gave her when she got married during one of the meetings. I will always be grateful for that kindness,” he tweeted.
India Mourns Passing Of Queen
On Sunday, September 11, India declared a National Day of Mourning to honor the death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
On Friday, the government declared a day of mourning, and President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolence messages to the British royal family and administration.
For individuals wishing to express their condolences, the British High Commission in Delhi has opened a condolence book at High Commissioner Alex Ellis’ residence. On Saturday and Monday, the book will be available.
If you liked reading about Queen Elizabeth’s visit to India, you can also read about Who Will Own The Kohinoor Diamond After Queen Elizabeth II ? – World’s Famous Diamond Taken By British in 1849
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