From a Powerful Declaration to the Commonwealth’s Vision
“I declare before you all, with my whole life, whether it be long or short, I shall be devoted to your service, and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong. But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me as I now invite you to do.” – Princess Elizabeth on Her Twenty-First Birthday, 21st April, 1947
Queen Elizabeth II was brought to the throne in 1952 through a series of events that can be considered fate. Despite being born into the royal family, her father was only the second heir to the throne after her grandfather. The first heir was her uncle, later known as King Edward VIII Duke of Windsor. However, following her uncle’s abdication, her father became King George VI, making Princess Elizabeth the next heir to the throne. If her parents had had a son before or after her, she would have spent her days as Princess Elizabeth, pursuing her interests such as horses, dogs, and children. The succession laws were upheld, and she was ultimately crowned as queen.
Queen Elizabeth II’s path to the throne was determined by a series of events, much like in the case of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. Despite being born fifth in line to the throne, Queen Victoria was crowned at a young age due to the passing of her grandfather, father, and three uncles without any children. Similarly, Queen Elizabeth II’s father became King after her uncle’s abdication, making her the next in line for the throne. Both queens accepted their duty to serve their country and continued to do so until their deaths.
As the story unfolds, it could be argued that Queen Elizabeth II was born into the Royal Family and therefore had a clear destiny to serve her country. However, it is important to note that, as evidenced by King Edward VIII’s situation, the path to the throne is not always a given. Abdication is a possibility and not all heirs are obligated to follow through with their role. From what we know, Princess Elizabeth never considered this option but chose decisively to accept her duty and serve her nation. On her 21st birthday, she made a powerful declaration to devote her whole life to serving her people, including not only those in the United Kingdom but also the nations of the Commonwealth. This declaration helped shape her vision for the Commonwealth, where all nations share equal values, worth, and representation.
Although the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II may have come as a surprise to her, she had been preparing for the role in the background. With a deep understanding of the responsibilities and duties of being a member of the Royal Family, and drawing from the examples set by her ancestors, she knew that her people would look to her for guidance and leadership. She committed herself to setting a positive example in everything she did, from her words and actions to how she treated those around her. Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II exemplified the qualities of duty, stability, and wisdom. Her unwavering dedication to her role as head of state and her commitment to serving her country and its people was evident in all aspects of her life. Her presence was felt not only in the United Kingdom, but also in the Commonwealth countries, where she was highly respected and admired.
Queen Elizabeth II was known for her strong sense of duty and her unwavering commitment to serving her people. Throughout her reign, she delivered speeches with great poise, eloquence, and sincerity, reflecting her deep understanding of the issues facing her country and the world. She spoke with authority, wisdom, and compassion, and her words always carried weight and meaning.
From her first speech as Queen, in which she pledged to serve her people with her whole being, to her last, in which she thanked her people for their support and affection, her speeches were always powerful, thought-provoking, and inspiring. As a symbol of continuity and stability, her reign provided a sense of security for many people. Her wisdom, calm demeanour and ability to remain dignified in the face of adversity made her an inspiration to many.
Her Majesty’s reign was also marked by her tireless work ethic and dedication to her role. She made countless visits to different parts of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth countries and the rest of the world, meeting with people from all walks of life and always taking the time to listen and understand their concerns. Her willingness to serve her people was evident in everything she did, and she was respected and admired by many for her unwavering commitment to her duty.
In addition to her role as the head of state of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty was also the head of the Commonwealth, a community of 54 nations that share a common heritage and values. Her vision for the Commonwealth was one in which all nations sitting around the table share the same values, with each nation having equal worth, equal weight, and an equal voice
Essentially, Queen Elizabeth II’s reign was a testament to her duty, her wisdom, and her ability to inspire people. Her words and actions were an inspiration to many, and her legacy will continue to inspire people around the world for many years to come. Her Majesty’s reign will be remembered as one of the most remarkable in history, and her impact on the United Kingdom and the world will be felt for generations to come..
“It is my hope that, when judged by future generations, our sincerity, our willingness to take a lead, and our determination to do the right thing will stand the test of time.”
Her Majesty the Queen in her address to the United Nations on 6 July 2010
Although it may have seemed that her role as Queen was predetermined by her birth into the Royal Family and her position as heir to the throne, Her Majesty’s life serves as a reminder that one’s purpose in life can always be a choice, even in situations where it may appear predetermined. History is filled with stories of individuals who had the potential for greatness but failed to live up to it due to feeling as if they had no control over their destiny.
As professionals, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of accepting the roles that society has assigned to us. However, it’s crucial to remember that the power of choice is always within our grasp. Instead of allowing others to shape our image and dictate our actions, we must take control of our own destiny by creating a new identity that commands attention and never fails to engage our audience. One way to do this is by incorporating our unique perspectives and experiences into our public gestures and actions. By doing so, we not only enhance our personal power but also create an image that is larger than life. Even when a decision may seem to be out of our control, we can still make it our own by choosing how to approach it and putting our own personal stamp on it.
Life is like a journey with many paths. Sometimes, the path we are on may appear set, as if we have no choice but to follow it. However, it is important to remember that we always have a choice, just like a traveller on a journey can choose to walk away from a set path and pursue a different course. This decision can be daunting, but it is the difference between accepting a mission as fate and choosing a mission as one’s own. Just like Her Majesty, who embraced the mission presented to her and excelled in every aspect, we too can make the decision to take ownership of our lives and make a choice that leads to a fulfilling and meaningful life. What qualities and values of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign do you think made her an inspiring and respected leader, and how do you believe her legacy will continue to impact the world?
