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Queen Elizabeth II ('A Queen is Crowned')

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- set matching 'Art Fund Popular Portraits'

Art Fund Popular Portraits Collection. Photo: © National Portrait Gallery, London

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Queen Elizabeth II ('A Queen is Crowned')

by Unknown artist
poster, 1953
41 1/8 in. x 27 in. (1045 mm x 685 mm) overall
Purchased with help from the Art Fund, 2018
Reference Collection
NPG D48064

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Unknown artist, Artist. Artist or producer associated with 6578 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The coronation of the HM Queen Elizabeth II was the first in history to be televised, and drew record viewing figures of 27 million in the UK and millions more around the world. Many households in Britain purchased their first television sets in order to watch the ceremony. The coronation was also a global event with broad international appeal, with the televised footage being shown in cinemas in America, as advertised by this poster.

Events of 1953back to top

Current affairs

A combination of low pressure in the North Sea, hurricane force winds, and high tides result in the Great Flood of 1953. With no warning system many were trapped in their homes as 20-foot waves crashed on the coast; hundreds were killed at sea and on the east coast.
John Hunt's British Expedition conquers Everest. News of the achievement reached Britain on the day of Elizabeth's coronation.

Art and science

Frances Crick and James Watson discover the double helix structure of DNA. Uncovering DNA's chemical make-up revolutionised our understanding of the building blocks of life.
Ian Fleming publishes his first James Bond novel, Casino Royal.
Chad Varah founds 'The Samaritans' helpline.

International

Joseph Stalin dies four days after suffering a stroke. It has been suggested that Stalin was assassinated, as he was denied medical assistance for over a day after he was found; many suspect that he was poisoned. On his death Georgy Malenkov became leader of the Soviet Union.

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