The Sad Passing of Queen Elizabeth II
We are sad to hear of the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II on 8th September 2022. She was the longest reigning monarch the UK has ever had, ruling with kindness and love for 70 years. She died peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, one of her favourite royal residences.
The Queen was born 21st April 1926, to Prince Albert – who would later become King George VI – and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She’d accomplished many things in her long life; she made her first radio broadcast at 14 years old in 1940, re-assuring the children evacuated during the war “…in the end, all will be well; for God will care for us and give us victory and peace.” She joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1945 and trained with other women to become an expert driver and mechanic for the war effort, and was even allowed to celebrate anonymously with the public on VE Day.
She ascended to the throne on 2nd June 1952 at only 25 years old, after the death of her father, King George VI. Her coronation was the first to be broadcast on TV, and people all over the world tuned in to watch. Supported by her husband, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen travelled to every region in the UK and visited every realm at least once. An element she considered one of the most important in her role was her public and voluntary work. She was Royal Patron or President of over 500 charities, and a particular favourite was The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme, which aimed to find exceptional young people who address challenges facing their communities, and support them in practical ways so they reach their full potential. Even in her later years, The Queen was still attending over 400 engagements each year.
She had many hobbies, including pigeon racing, stamp collecting, football (she was an avid Arsenal fan) and horse-riding, even in her early 90s! She also loved taking her Corgis out for walks along the countryside. After being gifted one as a teen, she has owned over 30 descendants of the first, until the last dog, Willow, died in 2018.
The Queen had appointed over 15 Prime Ministers during her reign, and welcomed over 110 Presidents and Prime Ministers to the UK from all over the world on official visits. The UK’s current Prime Minister, Liz Truss, was appointed by the Queen just days before she died, and was one of the last engagements she attended.
The Queen had 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Our thoughts go out to the Royal family at this time, and everyone affected by this sad news.
Rest in peace, your Majesty, and long live King Charles III.
