but it was at the coronation, when she sat on king edward's throne, that she became the anointed sovereign, set apart on the path of duty for the remainder of her life. the britain to whose throne elizabeth ascended on that february day in 1952 was a very different country to the one of today. yet at britain's core, then as now, was the monarchy. and the young woman who was crowned on this ancient throne has done her utmost to uphold both crown and country. you'd never have said in �*52 that in 70 years the monarchy would actually be, in many ways, more successful and more of a centre of national attention than ever. and the fact that it is, i think, is down to her. the past year has been difficult for her.