The news broke on the BBC early in the morning. It was announced from Sandringham at 10.45, Feb.6, 1952, that the king who retired to rest the previous night in his usual health passed peacefully away in his sleep earlier in the morning.
It took many hours for the word to reach the former Princess Elizabeth, who was on a royal tour in Africa. She was informed of her father's death and that she was now queen.
Queen Elizabeth II firmly held to a vow she made to the people of the Commonwealth as a princess, to commit her life to the service of her countrymen and the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth stayed steadfast to that vow as the world around her changed decade after decade. She reigned longer than any monarch in history, passing away in 2022 at the age of 96.
100 Years of Saskatchewan History
This article is part of a series that celebrates both the history of Saskatchewan and the 100th anniversary of one of Saskatchewan's most storied radio stations. For more key moments from the last 100 years, visit the CKRM timeline.
