The 1970s were a decade when the monarch moved closer to the people. The Queen's first 'walkabout' occurred during her tour of New Zealand in March 1970s, and has been a feature of royal engagements ever since.

In May 1972, the Queen's uncle, the Duke of Windsor, died of cancer in Paris. He had been in exile since his abdication in 1936. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh had seen the Duke just two weeks before his death, while on a state visit to Paris. His body was flown back to England and he was given a ceremonial funeral at Windsor.

Later that year it was the Queen's silver wedding anniversary, which was marked by a televised service from Westminster Abbey.

A year later, on 14 November 1973, it ws the turn of Princess Anne to walk up the aisle of Westminster Abbey, where she married LIeutenant Mark Philips. She wore a high-collared Tudor style gown with full medieval sleeves, and her wedding was watched by a worldwide television audience of 500 million.

Just a few months later, in March 1974, the Princess's limousine was attacked in central London by a man wielding a gun. Several shots were fired and two protection officers were injured. The perpetrator, Ian Bell, had been planning to kidnap the Princess and hold her to a £1,000,000 ransom. He was jailed indefinitely.

In 1976 Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon separated; they were divorced two years later.

In 1977 the Queen celebrated her Silver Jubilee. Throughout the summer of that year there were some 300 major events, ranging from ship launchings and parades to gala performances, a river pageant and firework display. On Jubilee Day itself, 7 June, a million people watched a state procession from Buckingham Palace to St. Paul's Cathedral where a service of thanksgiving was held.

Later that year, Princess Anne gave birth to Peter Phillips, the Queen's first grandson.

The 1970s ended with an act of terrrism that sent shock waves through the royal family. On 27 August Prince Philip's uncle, Lord Mountbatten was assassinated by the IRA. His yacht was blown up off the coast of County Sligo.

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