2026 22.18g France Silver Queen Elizabeth II PP

In 2026, Monnaie de Paris pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, a major figure in contemporary history and a symbol of institutional stability. Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms, Elizabeth II was born in London in 1926. During the Second World War, she volunteered for the British Armed Forces as a driver and mechanic, becoming the first woman in the royal family to serve actively. She ascended to the throne in 1952 and reigned for more than seventy years, becoming the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Elizabeth II embodied enduring and respected female authority in a predominantly male environment while fulfilling her role as wife and mother. From the moment she ascended the throne, she asserted herself through her sense of duty and her ability to exercise power within the strict framework of a constitutional monarchy, helping to reinforce the legitimacy of women's roles in the highest offices of state. Her actions contributed to the international influence of the United Kingdom and the maintenance of lasting diplomatic ties. Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in 2022, remains an iconic figure in contemporary history, a symbol of female authority exercised with rigour, discretion and a sense of duty.

Some important dates: 

• 21 April 1926: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor is born in London. 
• 1945: At the age of 19, she joins the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the Second World War, becoming the first woman in the royal family to serve as a mechanic and driver.
• 1952: Elizabeth II becomes Queen at the age of 25, symbolising a new role for women in a post-war world still dominated by men.
• 1953: First televised coronation: she modernised the image of the monarchy and brought the Crown closer to the people. 
• 1949–1970: Accompanied the decolonisation of the Commonwealth: supported the peaceful transition of countries such as Ghana, Kenya and Canada to independence, promoting a relationship based on cooperation.
• 1970: First "walkabout" during an official visit to Australia: a revolutionary gesture of closeness. 
• 1977: Silver Jubilee: 25 years of reign celebrating a more open and feminine monarchy.
• 1992: Annus horribilis: family crises and the Windsor Castle fire; she copes with transparency and dignity, reinforcing her image as a resilient woman.
• 2011: First visit by a British monarch to the Republic of Ireland in a century, a historic gesture of reconciliation. 
• 2020: During the pandemic, she addresses the United Kingdom with a message of hope: "We will meet again", embodying quiet strength.
• 2022: Celebrates her Platinum Jubilee: 70 years of reign, an example of commitment, stability and the evolution of women's role in power. 
• 8 September 2022: Passed away at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She leaves a legacy of service, modernity and female empowerment.