Queen Elizabeth Ii Turns 90 Years Old, Adding Another Milestone to Her 64 - Year reign

BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Hi everyone, I'm Bianna Golodryga and this is Yahoo News Live. Well, you're never supposed to ask a woman her age, but we can't avoid celebrating the big 9-0 for Queen Elizabeth II. She's been served by 12 prime ministers going back to Winston Churchill, met 12 of the last 13 US presidents, and is the longest reigning monarch in British history. Victoria Arbiter is an expert on all things royal, a good friend of the show's, and the author of the book "Queen Elizabeth II." Victoria, always great to have you on. VICTORIA ARBITER: Great to be here. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Quite a momentous occasion today. The Queen's turning 90 years old. How big of a deal is this for the Commonwealth? VICTORIA ARBITER: This really is a big deal in many ways. You know, when the Queen became the longest reigning monarch in British history last September she didn't want to make a fuss. As far as she was concerned, that milestone was reached because of the loss of her father. And she wasn't into trumping her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria's record. So she'd always said, we'll celebrate when I turn 90. So not only is she turning 90, which is quite remarkable given how fit and active and agile she still is, but she is not only the longest reigning monarch in British history, she's the oldest lived British monarch. She's the oldest serving sovereign in the world right now. So when you look at her and you think of all the records that she's achieved and all the milestones that she's achieved, really we'll never see a reign quite like hers again. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: And it's not only that she's reached this milestone at 90 years old, as you mentioned, she's very healthy, whip smart, continues to have many events and ceremonies that she continues to go to and attend on a daily basis. We know that her husband went through some ailments the past few years. How is her health overall? VICTORIA ARBITER: Overall she's remarkable. And I think she's from this generation that knows you just keep on going. The minute they stop, that's when everything starts falling apart. So there's been no indication that she's slowing down in any way. And you mentioned her husband, Prince Philip, when he turned 90 almost five years ago he said, I think I'll start winding down now. And yet, he's busier than ever. Last year he did more engagements than William, Kate, and Harry combined. So when you look at both of them in terms of their robust energy, their attention to detail, the approach that they take to engagements, this is clearly what they do. And Prince Edward has even said, you try telling my parents to slow down. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Yeah, exactly. VICTORIA ARBITER: It's just not going to happen. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: But a lot of people follow that mindset as well that as long as you keep the mind and body going, no matter how old you are age is just a number. As of course, we know today's the birthday but it's going to be celebrated in June. For Americans who don't understand why that's happening, can you explain? VICTORIA ARBITER: Yes, well the major celebrations are happening in June. We've got a couple of things along the way. In May they're having a big horse pageantry week. And of course, the Queen loves horses. They'll be 900 horses taking part in that. But June really is the big occasion. And that's when Trooping the Colour occurs, which is also known as the Queen's birthday parade. This was a tradition put in place many, many, many years ago, mostly because of the weather. So the Queen does have her private birthday, but she celebrates her official birthday in June when technically the weather is supposed to be better. It doesn't always work out that way. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Yeah, it was a bit rainy, I believe, during the Jubilee. VICTORIA ARBITER: That's right. It was awful. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: But you aim for trying to beat the odds, right? The odds are in favor for first sunny days in June. So that makes sense. Obviously genetics, good genetics runs in this family. Her mother lived to be 101 years old. No indication, as we mentioned, that she's having any physical ailments right now or plans on stepping down anytime soon. How do you envision this process working out? Do you think that she will end up reigning until she dies or do you think that she will pass on the torch, so to speak, to either Charles or her grandson? VICTORIA ARBITER: Well as she gets older this becomes the million dollar question. But really when you look at things that she said in the past, going back to her 21st birthday, she vowed to serve for all the days of her life. At her diamond jubilee in 2012 she rededicated herself to the country and the Commonwealth. In 1992 she provided the commentary for a documentary film, "Elizabeth R," in which she spoke about the job being a job for life. So no, I don't anticipate her stepping aside at all. The only way she would is if she became incapacitated and was unable to fulfill the job that she needs to do. I mean, we see these European monarchs routinely stepping down, making way for the younger generation. But the queen lived through the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, she saw the effect it had on the institution of monarchy, the effect that it had on her own parents, and so I really don't think that this is something she would even entertain unless, of course, she became ill. So she is 90 years old, she's got all her marbles fortunately right now. She's very healthy. Let's hope it continues that way, because personally I'd like to see one more record set in 2022. It will be her platinum jubilee. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Oh wow, so people are looking forward to that as well. VICTORIA ARBITER: Keep looking forward. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: She has remained relatively popular amongst British citizens, correct? I mean, you talk about other monarchs stepping down. One that comes to mind is the Spanish monarchy, the King recently stepped down, handed it over to his son. But there had been scandals going on, legal scandals going on within the family and it appeared that the King just wanted to start anew. How popular is Queen Elizabeth today? VICTORIA ARBITER: Overall, when you look at her entire reign she's managed to maintain an incredible sense of popularity with the British people. Of course, there have been dips as there would be in anything. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Following Diana's death-- VICTORIA ARBITER: Yes. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: --what have you. VICTORIA ARBITER: At Diana's death, in the '70s sort of was the end of deference and things took a major dip, people didn't quite get it anymore when the country was suffering from unemployment and there were riots. There were so many things going on in terms of the political life of the country. But over all, certainly as she gets older and as she just keeps on going, people admire that sense of duty and that commitment. She provides a single focus for unity. Yes, there are the naysayers who say it's archaic that we still have a hereditary head of state. But when you look at how divisive politics are, I think America's in this situation right now where the country feels more divided than ever, even in between each individual party. So when you have someone like the Queen that has an incredible popularity across all echelons of society in the UK, people admire her. And for most Britons they don't know any other monarch. They don't remember any other monarch. And so I don't think they can even imagine a country-- BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Life without her. VICTORIA ARBITER: --a life without her, where she's not the monarch. So there is definitely an enduring popularity that doesn't show signs of slowing down. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: So if she were to hand over the reins upon her death, and this would certainly go to Prince Charles. VICTORIA ARBITER: Absolutely, yes. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: If she were to choose, would she have the authority to choose if she wanted to bypass Charles and go to Prince William? VICTORIA ARBITER: First of all, it would never happen that she would bypass because it's not the natural order of things. But it would have to go through the Houses of Parliament. There would be so many steps that have to be taken. You can't just jump. You're right, Bianna, a lot of people have said, because William is young and handsome and popular and he's got this lovely family and his children. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: And does Charles even want it? VICTORIA ARBITER: All of that, all of that. And people have been cross with Charles over what happened with Diana. But Charles is the longest serving heir apparent in history. He brings to the table an enormous wealth of knowledge and experience. And he is going to make a great king one day. The sad thing with Charles is he's not going to have much of a chance to make a defining legacy. There's going to be a short amount of time in order for him to achieve anything that really lasts. But I think, I think people should remain optimistic about Charles. I think we could be surprised. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: And he and Camilla have even become more popular-- VICTORIA ARBITER: Very much so. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: --with the British public over the past few years. Talk about her role as a monarch, this century, last century, more of a public figure, right? She didn't have executive orders. She didn't have capacity to rule the country as her ancestors had. But still she had a lasting impact on decisions made by the country and on the prime ministers as well. VICTORIA ARBITER: It's interesting, she's actually the most unlikely feminist role model. But when she came to the throne in 1952 she was 25. It was a largely white Christian country where captains of industry were men and politics were ruled by men. And yet she just slipped into her role and she has been so committed and so dedicated to it. But she's managed to remain above politics. And she's known as the ultimate diplomat. And she's got this incredible tenacity. I love this story. When the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia went to visit Balmoral in 1998, women aren't allowed to drive there. And he was asked if he'd like to take tour of the estate. And he said, well, that would be very nice. And so he got into the Land Rover that was bought up and his interpreter was sitting in the back. Well, he wasn't expecting this five foot four inch fire bomb to get in the driver's seat, and it was the Queen. Of course, she was a driver and a mechanic during World War II. So she was bombing around the estate and he was begging her to slow down. But these are the ways that she sort of got her point across. She was making a very clear statement about how ridiculous it is. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Being a feminist back in that today. VICTORIA ARBITER: And that women can't drive in Saudi Arabia. So there are ways that we have seen her message. But at the same time, her political leanings, her likes and dislikes really can only be speculated upon because she never discusses them. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Yeah, I guess the signs of a true, wonderful monarch, right, where you don't show your colors. She's never given a press interview either. Her potential successors, both Prince Charles and Prince William have. Do you think their relationship with the media will continue once one of them assumes the throne? VICTORIA ARBITER: We live in a very different world with regards to the media. When the Queen came to the throne everyone was still crowding around the wireless. So Charles and William have almost had to embrace that role with the media of talking to the media to get the message across to remain relevant, really, in this day and age. The Queen, by avoiding doing interviews has kept this air of mystique. So I think it's going to be tricky moving forward. Because on the one hand, Charles is really keen to push his initiatives, his charitable endeavors, his feelings about conservation and architecture. But at the same time, when you are in the top position, when you are the head of state, you have to be very careful. Because as you know, people can interpret things, misinformation can get out because someone will take a snippet of a soundbite and turn it in something that you didn't say at all. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Right, right, a bit more pressure on them. VICTORIA ARBITER: There's a lot more pressure. You have to be very, very careful. Which is why the Queen, she's often accused of looking quite grumpy in photographs. But she knows that whatever expression she has is going to be interpreted. So she tries to maintain this neutral, this neutral face. So I think Charles moving forward when he does assume the throne is going to have to be quite careful. Because I don't know that you can have both. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Well from a media standpoint, we can all say at least we still have Harry, right. VICTORIA ARBITER: Yes. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: To turn to. VICTORIA ARBITER: You've always got Harry. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: We're always going to have him. There's news this week that the royals are looking for a head of digital engagement. We know the Queen has sent one official tweet. Are we going to see more royals on social media as of course the generation and the crown is past? VICTORIA ARBITER: I'd be surprised if we saw the immediate, most senior royals on social media, just because it's not very becoming in the Royal Family. There's still that sort of air of what's appropriate and what's not. And frankly, for some of them, they'd be so horrified about what's said about them and the responses that are received on social media. Prince Andrew has a Twitter account, so does his daughter Beatrice. They use it to try and get the word out about their charitable endeavors. Of course, when Prince George was born the easel was put in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as has been done for many, many years, the tradition for royal baby announcements. But the news went out on Twitter as well. So I think we'll see the British monarchy continue to use these forms of social media. It's Twitter today, who knows what it is tomorrow. But I don't know that we're going to see the immediate royals cross that line. Because it almost becomes too familiar. And then we start killing that air of mystique. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: You mentioned Prince George. There's a photo that's gone viral this week. It was shot as part of a commemorative stamp that honors the great-grandmother, the Queen's birthday. But Prince George really has stolen the show. And it once again, when you look at this photo-- there he is, he's so adorable standing up to be tall enough to sit next to his great-grandmother. It does look like she's left a royal family that's well positioned going forward now. VICTORIA ARBITER: She absolutely has. I think that is going to be her parting gift. Of course, were celebrating her birthday, we're not looking back on a life lived. But she will leave the Royal Family perhaps in the best condition ever. We're looking ahead. I mean, what I love about this photograph is the slice of history it represents. Because the queen is the 40th monarch, we're looking at 41, 42, and 43. George is perhaps the first monarch of the 22nd century. Considering she came to the throne in 1952, we're really getting to witness this living history which is what gets me excited. I love that stuff. But really, when we look at the way the Queen will leave the monarchy, she's created the single greatest blueprint. Hands of friendship has been extended. She shook hands with Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander, which affirmed the peace process in Northern Ireland. She visited the Republic of Ireland, which hadn't been visited since her grandfather in 1911. And this is what the Queen does. She's wrapping up these loose ends. She's leaving everything as beautifully packaged as possible. And yet we still hope she'll reach that platinum jubilee. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Yeah and I have faith, I have faith that she will. VICTORIA ARBITER: Yes, I do too. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: But you talk about the darker eras and the generations and decades where many in England questioned why they should still have a monarchy, that it seems so out of touch with the dire needs that the country was going through at the time. And I compare that with what I've even seen recently, whether it was the royal wedding a few years ago, of course the birth of Prince George and then Charlotte. It's really added an economic boon if anything else to the country. So once again reaffirming that while there were shaky times, it does appear that the Royal Family is on solid footing with the country and beloved again. VICTORIA ARBITER: It really is. I mean, I think you've got to look at the Royal Family in a sense, like a business. And any good business is going to have its peaks and its highs. But what we consistently see with each new generation that the Royal Family is always evolving. There's always something new. Someone's getting married, there's a baby coming along. There's always something to entice the imagination and for people to flock to. And the diamond jubilee, I'm so glad you mentioned that because it's a perfect example. The rain was coming down sideways. It was freezing cold. And everyone thought, does anybody care? I mean, are we really going to see people out in London? And for four days a million people lined the banks of the river, lined the Mall. They were everywhere. They were at concerts waving the flag, proud of Britain, proud of the monarch. And it was quite something to see the Queen step out onto the balcony and to see the people thanking her. Because that's normally what happens when someone's passed away. So she got to witness that and she got to see that reign has meant something. And I think the affection for the Queen will crossover into affection for Charles. And it's certainly my hope that this will continue for many years to come. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: What has the Queen meant for you on a personal note? Your father was a press secretary to the Queen until 2000. Many will recognize him, Dickie Arbiter. Talk about his relationship with the Royal Family. There you are with your father. And how that reflected upon you growing up and what you saw. VICTORIA ARBITER: Well, it was kind of interesting, because the Royal Family sort of always served as a backdrop for as long as I could remember. He started off as a journalist covering the royal family, then he was working for the Royal Family. So at Christmas we couldn't open our presents until after lunch because he was with the Queen. And there were certain school events he would miss because he was with the Queen. That's just the way it was. But I did grow up in a house that had enormous respect for the monarchy. They're human beings, everything's not always going to be perfect. But I think what I took from my dad and what he witnessed was just this incredible sense of duty and commitment, which almost doesn't exist today. People don't approach their roles in the same way. Deference died long, long ago. And yet, there's still deference towards the Queen. She can walk into a room full of world leaders and dignitaries and they all crumble in her presence. That is the effect she has. And she's just this diminutive, little gray haired, old lady at this point. But she's not a twinkly eyed granny. She's the queen, she heads a commonwealth of two billion citizens. And I think she's really represented a beacon of stability for the country. And really in looking at her, there are so many lessons for us all to learn. Because at 90 years old to still be doing what she's doing should make all of us sort of step up and think, well how can I serve my country too? BIANNA GOLODRYGA: And to still command respect from leaders from around the world, including her great-grandson as well as we see in the photo with her. So always great to have you on, especially when we have great news coming like the congratulations to the Queen turning 90. Of course, we're looking forward to more milestones ahead for the Royal family. Thank you so much for coming in, Victoria. VICTORIA ARBITER: Thank you, thank you. BIANNA GOLODRYGA: And we always look forward to hearing what you have to say. You can follow Yahoo News and me, Bianna Golodryga on Facebook and Twitter and use #YAHOOLIVE to let us know what you think about Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday. And how are you going to celebrate it? Thanks so much for watching. [MUSIC PLAYING]