Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

1926 – 2022

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21^st April 1926.

World War II broke out when she was just thirteen and it was during this time that Princess Elizabeth undertook her first public address, speaking directly to the children of the United Kingdom over the radio.

When she turned eighteen in 1944, she insisted upon joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the women’s branch of the British Army. Princess Elizabeth began her training as a mechanic in 1945, undertaking a driving and vehicle maintenance course at Aldershot. While she started as a second subaltern in the ATS she was later promoted to Junior Commander, the equivalent of Captain.

She married Prince Philip on 20^th November 1947 at Westminster Abbey, when she was twenty-one. They went on to have four children:

• Charles, on 14^th November 1948
• Anne, on 15^th August 1950
• Andrew, on 19^th February 1960
• Edward, on 10^th March 1964

Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne on 6^th February 1952 at the age of twenty-five. Her coronation in 1953 was the first royal event of its kind to be broadcast live on television. She remained on the throne for the next seven decades becoming Britain’s longest serving monarch.

During her reign, she served with dignity, grace and honour, witnessing many significant moments in recent history as well as dramatic societal changes and technological advancements. She championed the development of the Commonwealth, expanding it to a congress, comprising fifty-six nations.

The Queen lost her husband of seventy-three years, at Windsor on 9^th April 2021, when Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh passed away at the age of ninety-nine.

The following year, Her Majesty celebrated her Platinum Jubilee.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II undertook her final public duty by appointing the fifteenth Prime Minster of her reign on 6^th September 2022.

The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral, two days later on the afternoon of Thursday, 8^th February 2022. Her passing heralded the ascension of her son, King Charles III

Following the announcement by Buckingham Palace of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a book of condolence has been opened to allow members of the public to pay their respects and share their memories of Her Majesty.

The book will remain open until 6 p.m. on 19^th September 2022

Messages can be submitted either individually, or as a representative of an organisation.

All tributes will be reviewed before they are published.

You can submit your messages of condolence here