The Queen's Most Inspiring Quotes Throughout Her 70-Year Reign
As Britain's reigning monarch for seven decades, the Queen was known for her words of wisdom and humanity through both the best and hardest of times
After reigning for 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away, aged 96. As condolences flood in from state officials and members of the public alike, Great Britain and the Commonwealth remember not only the dignity that the Queen brought to the monarchy, but her humanity as well.
Known for her words of comforting wisdom, her stalwart approach to tough times, and ability to laugh through joyful ones, the Queen's speeches and quotes throughout the seven decades of her reign have provided guidance, support and happiness to an entire nation and beyond. How odd Christmas will seem this year without the annual Queen's speech to anchor our day and provide a moment of united togetherness throughout the country.
Prior to becoming Queen, a young Princess Elizabeth already knew how to convey the responsibility and duty that came with the crown, before it was even hers to wear, saying in her 21st birthday speech: '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.' The tone was set for a Queen truly committed to her people.
But it wasn't just sombre duty that Queen Elizabeth II was known to comment on. Her quotes about family, love and her husband, the late Prince Philip, will go down in history as some of her most relatable. 'We cheered the king and the queen on the balcony and then walked miles through the streets. I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief. I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life,' she once said.
Below, find the Queen's most memorable and inspiring quotes from her reign as the Queen of England...
The Queen's Most Memorable Quotes
On doing her duty
'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.'
The Queen's 21st birthday speech, April 21 1947
On war and peace
'When peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place. My sister is by my side and we are both going to say goodnight to you. Come on, Margaret. Goodnight, children. Goodnight, and good luck to you all.'
Wartime broadcast with Princess Margaret, October 13 1940
On leading the nation
'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.'
First televised Christmas broadcast in 1957
On family
'Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of disagreements.'
The Queen's speech to heads of state aboard the royal yacht Britannia, October 1989
On football
'Football's a difficult business, and aren't they prima donnas? But it's a wonderful game.'
Told to Sir David Richards whilst knighting him in 2006
On Princess Diana's death
'What I say to you now, as your queen and as a grandmother, I say from my heart ... No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her.
'I for one believe there are lessons to be drawn from her life and from the extraordinary and moving reaction to her death. I share in your determination to cherish her memory.'
Televised address following the death of Princess Diana, September 1997
On COVID-19
'While we have faced challenges before, this one is different. This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed - and that success will belong to every one of us.
'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.'
Televised address on April 5, 2020, after the outbreak of COVID-19
On women's rights
'It is difficult to realise that it was less than 50 years ago that women in Britain were first given the vote, but parliament was first asked to grant this 100 years ago.
'Yet, in spite of these disabilities, it has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the harsh progress of mankind.'
The Queen's Christmas broadcast, 1966
On being an inspiration
'To be inspirational you don't have to save lives or win medals.
'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.
'They are an inspiration to those who know them.'
At the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, 2016
On family and marriage
'If I am asked today what I think about family life after 25 years of marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction. I am for it.'
The Queen's silver wedding anniversary speech, 1972
On her husband, Prince Philip
'He is someone who doesn't take easily to compliments but he 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.'
The Queen's tribute to her husband Prince Philip on their Golden wedding anniversary, 1997
On becoming the longest-reigning British monarch
'Many... have kindly noted another significance attaching to today, although it is not one to which I have ever aspired. Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception.'
During a speech whilst opening a railway at the Scottish Borders, 2015
On what she'd like to be when she grows up
'I should like to be a horse.'
Queen Elizabeth as a child, speaking to a reporter
On celebrating VE Day, 1945
'We cheered the king and the queen on the balcony and then walked miles through the streets. I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief.
'I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.'
Speaking to the BBC in 1985 about joining street celebrations for VE Day in London, May 1945
George Driver was the former Senior Beauty Editor - Digital at ELLE UK.
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