Serenades for the Queen

On the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, whose accession to the throne of the United Kingdom took place seventy years ago, we look back at Jussi Björling’s songful participation in the Coronation events, and a subsequent meeting with Her Majesty in 1956. Princess Elizabeth became Queen on February 6, 1952, imme-diately upon the unexpected death of her father, George VI. The Coronation was held more than a year later on June 2, 1953, allowing the traditional year of preparations for the ceremony and festivities.