Edward viii

A wire fox terrier by the name of Caeser led the masses of international dignitaries at the late King's request.

Having acceded the throne in the postwar era, the Queen was head of state through a period of great change. As Brooke Newman, Ph.D., associate professor in the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities and Sciences told VCU News: "Queen Elizabeth and the 1,000-year-old institution she embodied offered continuity and reassurance in a rapidly changing world. "On the other hand, the monarchy, with its lavish, archaic customs and millennium’s worth of inherited wealth and privilege, often appeared outmoded and even wasteful, particularly during periods of economic crisis and austerity. [Queen Elizabeth II](/latest/queen)) in the direct line of succession. Many fans across the nation will be in mourning today and here at Express.co.uk we want to remember the brilliant stories we all have about the Queen. Following Edward's abdication, George VI inherited the throne and Elizabeth became his heir apparent. Queen Elizabeth II's reign lasted over 70 years, making her the longest-serving British monarch in history. At the time, the King's death marked a "grim portent" that the Empire may come under threat. He quoted aristocrat Lady Fawsley, who wrote at the time: "What a crushing blow has fallen on the Empire. While Edward was known for his self-indulgence, he was a particularly popular sovereign. The King's love for his canine friend was clear when Caesar took centre stage during his funeral procession. His position placed him ahead of multiple heads of state, including Edward's son King George V and eight other Kings.