It's a momentous occasion for the Queen, but she has chosen to spend it quietly in a familiar place: February 6, 2022, marks the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, making Queen Elizabeth II the longest reigning monarch in British history. While there are parades, bank holidays, and countless events planned throughout the year to celebrate the Queen's platinum jubilee, she has chosen a quiet place to spend the actual anniversary.

This week, the Queen visited Sandringham Manor, but instead of staying in the main house as she usually does, she chose to spend the day at Woodhall, a modest cottage on the grounds, which, according to Express UK, is the final home of her late husband Prince Philip after he retired from public service in 2017. He spent much of his time renovating the cottage, as well as hiking, painting, and reading. This will be the first time the Queen has stayed at the cottage since her passing.

The magazine reported that "when the Queen was not required to be in London on royal duties, she would travel to Wood Farm to stay with her husband. According to royal sources, the stay at the cottage allowed the Queen to live more like a "normal" married couple than at any time during her reign. It is therefore a bittersweet but ideal place to reflect on her life on the throne.

Sandringham also holds deep significance for the queen. Sandringham has deep significance for the Queen because February 6 was the day she ascended to the throne and the day her beloved father, King George VI, died. The mansion was a favorite of George VI, and according to publications, George VI would retreat to Sandringham when he was unwell.7]

It is not surprising that the Queen would want to spend this important anniversary surrounded by her loved ones. Instead, the Queen's willingness to spend the day in quiet contemplation in a place of deep significance to her two deceased loved ones is a reminder of how solemnly she takes her duties as monarch, and how her heartbreak had to be constantly made public because of reminds us of how solemnly she takes her duties as monarch.