New
New
Year 1

Elizabeth II's reign comes to a close

I can describe what happened when Elizabeth II's reign came to an end.

New
New
Year 1

Elizabeth II's reign comes to a close

I can describe what happened when Elizabeth II's reign came to an end.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. On 8 September 2022, Elizabeth II died peacefully at her favourite home, Balmoral Castle, in Scotland.
  2. She was 96 and had reigned over 70 years; she is the longest reigning monarch that the United Kingdom has ever had.
  3. People queued for hours to see her coffin as it lay in state in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament.
  4. Elizabeth was given a state funeral so that the whole nation could show their respects.
  5. When she died, Elizabeth's eldest son, Charles, the Prince of Wales, became King Charles III.

Keywords

  • Reign - a reign is the amount of time that someone is a ruler

  • Monarch - monarch is the king or queen who is the ruler

  • State funeral - a state funeral is a special event where someone very important is remembered by the public after they die

  • Respect - respect is when you look up to and admire someone

Common misconception

Pupils may think that Princess Anne would be queen after Elizabeth.

Remind pupils that it is the eldest child who inherits the throne and therefore Charles, Prince of Wales, became King of England.

You could watch videos from Elizabeth's funeral to talk about the various customs during it and how they signify her importance. Pupils could draw a poster in memory of Elizabeth, celebrating her life and achievements.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is an heir to the throne?
someone who will be the next prince or princess
someone who will be the next Archbishop of Canterbury
Correct answer: someone who will be the next king or queen
Q2.
Elizabeth was Queen of four nations. Together, what were these four nations called?
Correct Answer: The United Kingdom, the United Kingdom, UK, uk, the united kingdom
Q3.
After Elizabeth died, who would be the next king or queen?
Correct answer: Charles, Prince of Wales
Princess Anne
the Queen Mother
Q4.
Which of these are photographs of Elizabeth as queen?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q5.
What would happen during Elizabeth's official visits?
Correct answer: the public would come and meet her
she would stay at home
she would not talk to anyone
Correct answer: she would meet important people
Correct answer: she would often watch special performances
Q6.
Elizabeth was born...
Correct answer: around 100 years ago
around 50 years ago
around 20 years ago
Q4 image 2 © Bridgeman Images Q4 image 3 Photo © Keystone/Zuma / Bridgeman Images Q4 image 4 © Universal History Archive/UIG / Bridgeman Images

6 Questions

Q1.
Where did Elizabeth die?
Buckingham Palace, London
Windsor Castle, Windsor
Correct answer: Balmoral Castle, Scotland
Q2.
How old was Elizabeth when her reign came to a close?
Correct answer: 96
6
16
76
Q3.
Match the word to its meaning
Correct Answer:reign,the amount of time that someone is a ruler

the amount of time that someone is a ruler

Correct Answer:monarch,the king or queen who is the ruler

the king or queen who is the ruler

Correct Answer:state funeral,a special event where someone very important is remembered

a special event where someone very important is remembered

Q4.
What happened at Westminster Abbey on 19 September 2022?
Correct answer: Elizabeth's state funeral
Elizabeth got married
Elizabeth became queen
Q5.
Who became the next monarch after Elizabeth died?
Princess Anne
Prince Philip
Correct answer: Charles, Prince of Wales
Q6.
Order these events that happened in Elizabeth's life.
1 - Elizabeth was born.
2 - Elizabeth's uncle abdicated the throne and her father became king.
3 - Elizabeth got married and had children.
4 - Elizabeth became queen.
5 - Elizabeth carried out many public duties and responsibilities as queen.
6 - Elizabeth died.
7 - Prince Charles became king.

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