Gilbert and Ellice Islands - 1953 - Queen Elizabeth II Coronation

Groups of islands in the Pacific north-eastern Australia. The Gilbert and Ellice Islands were a British protectorate from 1892 and colony from 1916 until 1 January 1976, when the islands were divided into two different colonies which became independent nations shortly after. The Gilbert Islands have been the major part of the nation of Kiribati since 1979, and the Ellice Islands became Tuvalu in 1978.

Queen Elizabeth II  Coronation

On 2nd June 1953 Princess Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon, thus assuming the role of Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth ascended to the throne of these countries following the death of his father, King George VI. During the coronation ceremony, Queen Elizabeth swore an oath to uphold the law in his kingdom and take over the government of the Church of England.