Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) was Queen of the United Kingdom and of 14 other sovereign countries until her death. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during her lifetime and 15 at the time of her death. Her reign of 70 years and 214 days, which began on 6 February 1952 to 8 September 2022, is the longest of any British monarch and the longest recorded of any female head of state in history.

Elizabeth was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth). Her father acceded to the throne in 1936 upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, making Elizabeth the heir presumptive. She was educated privately at home and began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

In November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, and their marriage lasted 73 years until his death in April 2021. They had four children together: Charles, Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth – then 25 years old – became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth.

Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonisation of Africa, and the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. The number of her realms varied over time as territories gained independence and some realms became republics.

Her many historic visits and meetings include state visits to China in 1986, Russia in 1994, and the Republic of Ireland in 2011, and meetings with five popes. Significant events include Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively. Elizabeth was the longest-lived British monarch and the second-longest reigning sovereign in world history, behind only Louis XIV of France.

She faced occasional republican sentiment and media criticism of her family, particularly after the breakdowns of her children’s marriages, her annus horribilis in 1992, and the death of her former daughter-in-law Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. However, support for the monarchy in the United Kingdom remained consistently high, as did her personal popularity. Elizabeth died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, in September 2022, three months after her Platinum Jubilee, and was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles III.

Some of the best quotes from Queen Elizabeth II are listed below.

“Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“And when peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“As I look to the future, I have no doubt at all that the one certainty is change… But I do not think that we should be over-anxious. We can make sense of the future, if we understand the lessons of the past.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“At the heart of our faith stand not a preoccupation with our own welfare and comfort but the concepts of service and of sacrifice as shown in the life and teachings of the one who made himself nothing, taking the very form of a servant.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honour the freedom and democracy once won for us at so great a cost.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Each day is a new beginning, 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.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Even when your life seems most monotonous, what you do is always of real value and importance to your fellow men.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“For every poppy a life; and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Giant leaps often start with small steps.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Grief is the price we pay for love.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I admired and respected her [Princess Diana]; for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I am reminded of a lady of about my age who was asked by an earnest, little granddaughter the other day ‘Granny, can you remember the Stone Age?’ Whilst that may be going a bit far, the older generation are able to give a sense of context as well as the wisdom of experience which can be invaluable.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I believe that, young or old, we have as much to look forward to with confidence and hope as we have to look back on with pride.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else, I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I have sometimes thought that humanity seemed to have turned on itself: With wars, civil disturbances and acts of brutal terrorism… This world is not always an easy or a safe place to live in, but it is the only place we have.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I have to be seen to be believed.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I know just how much I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I know just how much I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“I know of no single formula for success, but over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal, and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration, to work together.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“If I am asked what I think about family life after 25 years of marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction, I am for it.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“If we resolve to be considerate and to help our neighbors; to make friends with people of different races and religions; and, as our Lord said, to look to our own faults before we criticize others, we will be keeping faith with those who landed in Normandy and fought so doggedly for their belief in freedom, peace and human decency.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“In times of doubt and anxiety the attitudes people show in their daily lives, in their homes, and in their work, are of supreme importance.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones; my own is no exception.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the harsh progress of mankind.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“It has perhaps always been the case that the waging of peace is the hardest form of leadership of all.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“It is through this lens of history that we should view the conflicts of today, and so give us hope for tomorrow.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“It’s no surprise that families so often treasure their Christmas routines. We see our own children and their families embrace the roles, traditions, and values that mean so much to us – as these are passed from one generation to the next, sometimes being updated for changing times. I see it in my own family and it is a source of great happiness.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“No age group has a monopoly of wisdom, and indeed I think the young can sometimes be wiser than us. But the older I get, the more conscious I become of the difficulties young people have to face as they learn to live in the modern world.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“None of us can slow the passage of time; and while we often focus on all that has changed in the intervening years, much remains unchanged, including the Gospel of Christ and his teachings.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Often a child’s helplessness and vulnerability bring out the best in us.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Our modern world places such heavy demands on our time and attention that the need to remember our responsibilities to others is greater than ever.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal, and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration, to work together.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“People are touched by events which have their roots far across the world.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Perhaps we make too much of what is wrong and too little of what is right. The trouble with gloom is that it feeds upon itself and depression causes more depression.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“[Prince Philip’s] sense of service, intellectual curiosity, and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irrepressible… That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“[Prince Philip] has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Reflecting on these events makes me grateful for the blessings of home and family and, in particular, for 70 years of marriage. I don’t know that anyone had invented the term ‘platinum’ for a 70th wedding anniversary. When I was born, you weren’t expected to be around that long.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Religion and culture are much in the news these days, usually as sources of difference and conflict, rather than for bringing people together. But the irony is that every religion has something to say about tolerance and respecting others.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Right around the world, people gather to compete under standard rules and, in most cases, in a spirit of friendly rivalry. Competitors know that, to succeed, they must respect their opponents; very often, they like each other too.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Sadly we in Britain have been all too familiar with acts of terror and members of my generation… know that we have been here before. But those who perpetrate these brutal acts against innocent people should know that they will not change our way of life. Atrocities such as these simply reinforce our sense of community, our humanity, and our trust in the rule of law. That is the clear message from us all.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“She [Princess Diana] was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I’d like to think so. Perhaps, part of that wisdom is to recognize some of life’s baffling paradoxes such as the way human beings have a huge propensity for good, and yet a capacity for evil.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Such a blend of traditions serves to make us stronger, individually and collectively, by providing the ingredients needed for social, political and economic resilience.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Such a blend of traditions serves to make us stronger, individually and collectively, by providing the ingredients needed for social, political and economic resilience.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“The birth of a baby brings great happiness, but then the business of growing up begins.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“The function of constitutional monarchy is to personify the democratic state, to sanction legitimate authority, to assure the legality of means, and guarantee the execution of the public will. It is my ardent desire that no citizen in my realms should suffer restraint.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“The importance of family has, of course, come home to Prince Philip and me personally this year with the marriages of two of our grandchildren, each in their own way a celebration of the God-given love that binds a family together.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“The theme [of the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference] this year is, ‘Women as Agents of Change’. It reminds us of the potential in our societies that is yet to be fully unlocked, and it encourages us to find ways to allow all girls and women to play their full part.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“The upward course of a nation’s history is due, in the long run, to the soundness of heart of its average men and women.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“The wartime generation – my generation – is resilient.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Though we each lead different lives, the experience of growing older, and the joys and emotions which it brings, are familiar to us all.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family, and friendship have been not only a constant for me, but a source of personal comfort and reassurance.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“We have all been trying in our different ways to cope. It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: Disbelief, incomprehension, anger, and concern for those who remain. We have all felt those emotions in these last few days.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“We know the reward is peace on earth, goodwill toward men, but we cannot win it without determination and concerted effort.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“We may hold different points of view but it is in times of stress and difficulty that we most need to remember that we have much more in common than there is dividing us.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“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.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love; of shared stories and memories, which is perhaps why at this time of year so many return to where they grew up. There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“Whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“When peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“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.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“With age does come experience and that can be a virtue if it is sensibly used. By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honour the freedom and democracy once won for us at so great a cost.” – Queen Elizabeth II
“You’ve all seen pictures of the earth taken from space. Unlike all the other planets in the solar system, earth shimmers green and blue in the sunlight and looks a very pleasant place to live.” – Queen Elizabeth II

Tags: Quotes