Her Legacy Queen Elizabeth thanks to the speeches she gave, her messages on radio and television, her few appearances at important events – many messages that move and inspire.

I can honestly tell you that we children are full of joy and courage at home. We try to do our best to help our brave sailors, soldiers and airmen, trying to bear our share of the dangers and sorrows of war. We all know that everything will be fine in the end because God will take care of us and give us victory and peace. And when peace comes, remember that we, the children of today, will be called to make the world of tomorrow better and happier.

— Extract from the first public address on 13 October 1940 on BBC radio to children who, because of the war, were away from home or to their parents. Next to her was her sister Margarita.

As I speak to you today from Cape Town, I am six thousand miles from my country of birth. But I’m certainly not six thousand miles from home. […] This is the great privilege of our position in the world community – on all continents of the Earth there are houses ready to receive us. […] There is a motto that many of my ancestors adhered to – a noble motto: “I serve.” This word inspired many heirs to the throne when they were knighted upon reaching adulthood. I can’t do what they do. But, thanks to the inventions of science, I can do what none of them could. I can perform a solemn act of initiation with the entire empire listening. I would like to make this dedication now. It’s very simple. I declare before all of you that my entire life, long or short, will be devoted to serving you and our great imperial family, to which we all belong.

— An excerpt from a radio speech she gave on her 21st birthday, April 21, 1947, while on tour in South Africa with her parents and sister.

The ceremonies you have seen today are ancient, and some of their origins are hidden in the mists of the past. But their spirit and meaning shine through the ages now, perhaps more brightly than ever. I have sincerely dedicated myself to serving you, as many of you have dedicated yourselves to my service. All my life and with all my heart I will try to be worthy of your trust. My husband supports me in this decision. He shares all my ideals and all my love for you. Then, although my experience is so small and my work is so new, I have my parents and grandparents as an example that I can follow with confidence and confidence. I have behind me not only the glorious traditions and chronicles of a thousand years and more, but also the living power and greatness of the Commonwealth and the Empire – societies old and new – countries and races, different in history and origin, but all, by the will of God, united in spirit and purpose. Therefore, I am sure that my coronation is not a symbol of departed power and greatness, but a declaration of our hopes for the future and for the years that may be the grace and grace of God given I can rule and serve you as your queen.

— Extract from the Queen’s speech on coronation day 2 June 1953

We all try to deal with this in different ways. The feeling of loss is not easy to express, as the initial shock is often followed by a mixture of other emotions: distrust, misunderstanding, anger – and concern for those left behind. We have all felt these feelings in the last few days. So, what I am telling you now, as your queen and grandmother, I speak from the bottom of my heart. First, I want to pay tribute to Diana herself. He was an extraordinary and charismatic person. In both good and bad times, she never lost her ability to smile and laugh, and to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her for her energy and dedication to others, especially her two boys.

— An excerpt from the Queen’s message after Diana’s death in 1997.

Grief is the price we pay for love.

— Quoted from the Queen’s 9/11 message read by British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer during a service at St Thomas’ Cathedral in New York on 20 September 2001.

Perhaps it has always been the case that securing peace is the most difficult form of leadership. I don’t know the recipe for success, but I’ve noticed over the years that certain characteristics of leadership are universal and often involve developing ways to get people to pool their efforts, talents, knowledge, enthusiasm, and inspire them to work collectively. .

— An excerpt from her speech to the UN General Assembly in July 2010.

These events have touched all of us, many of us personally, and are a painful legacy. We will never forget those who died or were injured and their families. To all those who have suffered as a result of our troubled past, I express my sincere thoughts and deepest sympathy. Looking back, we can all see things we wish we could have done differently or not done at all. But it is also true that no one could have imagined how strong the bonds that now exist between the governments and peoples of our two countries, the spirit of cooperation that we enjoy, and the strong bond between us.

— Extract from the Queen’s speech at the Irish State Symposium, 2011

Together we are fighting this disease, and I want to assure you that if we remain united and determined, we will overcome it. I hope that in the coming years everyone can be proud of how they have risen to this challenge. […] While we’ve run into issues in the past, this is different. This time we join all nations in a common effort, using the great achievements of science and our instinctive compassion for healing. We will succeed – and this success will belong to each of us. We should take comfort in the fact that, although we may still have to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again.

— Extract from The Queen’s Address to the UK and the Commonwealth on Coronavirus, April 2020

On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the start of the Greek War of Independence, I would like to convey to Your Excellency my congratulations and best wishes to the Greek people. I am sure that after a difficult year, the celebration of the bicentenary will bring better times and strengthen the warm relations between our two governments and peoples.

– Message from the Queen on the occasion of the celebration of the bicentenary of the independence of Greece to the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

I hope that this conference will be one of those rare occasions where everyone will have the chance to go beyond the politics of the moment and reach the real politics. Many hope that the legacy of this summit, recorded in the history books yet to be printed, will describe you as leaders who seized the opportunity and answered the call of these future generations. That you left this conference as a community of nations with the determination, desire and plan to address the effects of climate change, and that you recognized that the time for talk is over and the time for action is now. Of course, all of us here today will not be able to benefit from these actions: none of us will live forever. But we do this not for ourselves, but for our children and the children of our children, and for those who will follow in their footsteps.

— Excerpt from the Queen’s speech via video link at the Evening Reception at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021.

• It has always been easy to hate and destroy. Building and loving is much more difficult. (1957)
• The fight against inhuman prejudices, against squalor, ignorance and disease has always been carried out largely thanks to the determination and perseverance of women. […] In today’s world of opportunities for women to give something of value to humanity more than ever, because they are now starting to play a leading role in public life through their own efforts. (1966)
• In times of doubt and stress, the attitude people display in their daily lives, at home and at work, is paramount. (1974)
• The exciting news of the last few months is that people in Eastern and Western Europe have become less hostile towards their future, more like neighbors. It is still difficult for us to be sure what will happen as a result of these great events, but it would be wonderful to think that in these last years of the 20th century, the message of Christ “love your neighbor” will finally be heard. . (1989)
• As a daughter, mother, and grandmother, I often find myself in situations where I have to ask for or give advice in all three of these capacities. No age group has a monopoly on wisdom, and I do believe that young people can sometimes be wiser than us. But the older I get, the more I understand the challenges young people face when they learn to live in the modern world. (1998)
• I know how much I rely on my faith to get me through the good times and the bad. Every day is a new beginning, I know the only way to live my life is to try to do the right thing, see the long term, do my best in whatever the day brings, and trust God. Like those of you who are inspired by your own faith, I draw strength from the message of hope of the Christian gospel. (2002)
• When life seems difficult, the brave don’t give up or accept defeat—instead, they are more determined to fight for a better future. (2008)
• We all need to find the right balance between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it’s easy to forget to pause and take stock. (2013)
• It’s worth remembering that it’s often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that lead to the most lasting change.