Elizabeth II (1926-2003)

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Elizabeth was not born in the line of succession but following the abdication of  her uncle, Edward VIII she inherited through her father, George VI.

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Her coronation in 1953 was an extravagant occasion, hailed by some as the beginning of a new Elizabethan age.  It was witnessed by millions on television - and this perhaps signalled the evolution of the institution to a celebrity-based culture that reached its peak with the death of Princess Diana in 1997.

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She maintained a strict control over the 'Firm', as she called the monarchy, but with her children's scandals saw the public have less regard for the 'show business' elements.  She lived to become the longest reigning of all British monarachs.

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Her silver and golden jubilees, however demonstarted the regard with which she, herself was considered, but with her death the future of the institution is being called into question.