When I think of the word service, there is one person that shoots to the front of my mind, Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II, reigned for an extraordinary 70 years from 1952 until her death in 2022. Her reign was marked by significant historical, cultural, and societal changes, and she played a pivotal role in shaping modern monarchy. She became a symbol of continuity and stability through all of this change.
As Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II met with more than a hundred world leaders, including 13 U.S. Presidents and numerous other heads of state. Her diplomacy, often understated but impactful, helped maintain the UK's global influence. Her soft power was a vital tool in forging international relationships.
Her unwavering sense of duty and commitment to public service was a cornerstone of her legacy. From a young age, she famously pledged to devote her life to service, a promise she fulfilled across her seven-decade reign. This work ethic earned her respect and admiration worldwide.
Wartime Role
On 13th September 1940, just six days after the Blitz began, five high explosive bombs were dropped on Buckingham Palace. The Royal Chapel, inner quadrangle and Palace gates were hit, and several workmen were injured. Rather than flee the city under attack, King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth, remained at Buckingham Palace. This was a hugely successful move for British propaganda.
Princess Elizabeth was just 13 years old when war was declared. Like many children living in London, Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret were evacuated to avoid the dangers of bombing raids. The two girls were sent to Windsor Castle.
On 13th October 1940 Princess Elizabeth gave her first address from the drawing room of Windsor Castle as part of the BBC’s Children’s Hour in an attempt to boost public morale. She spoke directly to the children who had been separated from their families as part of the evacuation scheme.
“Thousands of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your fathers and mothers. My sister Margaret Rose and I feel so much for you, as we know from experience what it means to be away from those you love most of all. To you living in new surroundings, we send a message of true sympathy and at the same time we would like to thank the kind people who have welcomed you to their homes in the country.”
As the war continued, Princess Elizabeth was asked to play more a role in promoting both resilience to the situations the country was facing, and supporting public campaigns such as “Dig for Victory”.
On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, Princess Elizabeth undertook her first inspection of a military regiment during a parade at Windsor Castle. She had been given the role of honorary colonel of the Grenadier Guards. When Princess Elizabeth turned 18 in 1944, she insisted upon joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s branch of the British Army. King George made sure that his daughter was not given a promoted rank so she started as a second subaltern , later being promoted to Junior Commander, the equivalent of Captain.
Princess Elizabeth began her training as a mechanic in March 1945. She undertook a driving and vehicle maintenance course at Aldershot, qualifying on April 14. Newspapers at the time dubbed her “Princess Auto Mechanic.”
On 8th May 1945, the war in Europe ended. In London, thousands of people took to the streets to celebrate, flooding Trafalgar Square and the Mall leading up to Buckingham Palace where the King and Queen greeted them from the balcony. Princess Elizabeth and her sister were desperate to soak up some of this atmosphere, so perhaps for the only time in her life, Elizabeth slipped into the crowd, her uniform cap pulled well down over her eyes. She described the “lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, and all of us were swept along by tides of happiness and relief.” There are even reports that the princesses joined a conga dance through the Ritz Hotel as they celebrated with the crowds. “I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.” she recalled.
Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy is that of a monarch who dedicated her life to her people, adapted the institution to the modern age, and became a beloved figure both at home and abroad. Her impact will be remembered not only in the history books but also in the hearts of those who lived during her remarkable reign. Her wartime work symbolises her dedication to public service and remains a celebrated part of her legacy.