Late Queen Elizabeth II And Her Connection With India

The entire world keeps up with the updates of the British Royal Family. And Queen Elizabeth II has been on the royal throne for the last 70 years witnessing the world evolve around her.

Indians just like the rest of the world are very curious about the people of the British Royal Family. Popular films and shows like The Crown or The Queen and documentaries like Elizabeth at 90 and The Royals have intrigued people to know more about one of the most powerful families in the world. The British did rule India for almost 200 years and the scars left in the minds of the Indians are irrecoverable but with time people move on.

Queen Elizabeth II has been an icon throughout the world for holding her responsibilities through several historic moments of victory and loss. She took the royal throne after her father King George VI's sudden death in 1953. India was a six-year-old young nation still grappling with the damages caused by the horrific British rule. Queen's connection with India is also memorable through some notable visits to the country.

Queen Elizabeth II Indian Connection

The Nizam of Hyderabad had gifted the famous Cartier tiara and a diamond necklace of her choice for the Queen's wedding in 1947. The first time Queen Elizabeth II visited India was in 1961 on Republic Day of India at the invitation of President Dr Rajendra Prasad. On this occasion, the Prince of Jaipur organised a tiger hunt for the royal guests. The Queen was accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh. The Queen's second visit happened in 1983 when President Giani Zail Singh invited the royal couple and hosted them in the prestigious Rashtrapati Bhavan. This time the Queen honoured Mother Teresa for her contribution to society with an Order of Merit.

But the third visit of the Queen wasn't the smoothest as it sparked controversy throughout the country when she was invited at the 50th Independence Day of India and not only that, she was set to give a speech at Jallianwala Bagh premise. The history of Jallianwala Bagh only brings in bloodied memories and sacrifices of the freedom fighters and innocent citizens of India under brutal British rule. The Queen said in her banquet address, "It is no secret that there have been some difficult episodes in our past. Jallianwala Bagh is a distressing example." But protests were witnessed across the country for this stunt.

The Queen has also hosted guests from India a few times that include Dr Radhakrishnan in 1963, R. Venkataraman in 1990 and Pratibha Patil in 2009.

Suggested Reading: Never complain, never explain : Queen Elizabeth’s Famous Quotes