Queen Elizabeth II

21st April 1926 – 8th September 2022

“In the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with endless potential.” From the Queen’s 2021 Christmas Day speech

“It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult.” From the Queen’s 1957 Christmas Day speech, the first to be televised

“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.” From the speech broadcast on Princess Elizabeth’s twenty-first birthday, 21st April 1947

“I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.” From the Queen’s 2002 Christmas Day speech, the year of her Golden Jubilee After the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on 8th September 2022, we pay tribute to her in her own words. Sara Whatley has compiled a collection of quotes from her speeches both before and during her 70-year reign as our monarch. They display her inspiration, wisdom, courage, devotion and connection with the people of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and around the world

“We owe it to our children and grandchildren to live up to the standards of behaviour and tolerance which we are so eager to teach them.” From the Queen’s 1984 Christmas Day speech, the year Prince Harry, her fourth grandchild, was born “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.” From the Queen’s televised address on 5th April 2020, after the outbreak of COVID-19

“The struggles against inhuman prejudice, against squalor, ignorance, and disease, have always owed a great deal to the determination and tenacity of women.” From the Queen’s 1966 Christmas Day speech, a decade which saw great changes for women “I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special.” From the Queen’s speech at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, 2016

“Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight.” From the Queen’s speech on 24th November 1992 to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession. It is also known as her ‘annus horribilis’ speech