There are many Queen Elizabeth II quotes out there. However, none capture precisely what this lady did for England and its commonwealth quite succinctly as the quote below.
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.
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Queen Elizabeth II has died. With her passing, so ends an entire era of British rule, and the new Elizabethan era comes to a close. During her seventy years as the Queen of England and the commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth has spoken eloquently and intelligently. This article will look at some of the best quotes her late majesty left us with.
What is Queen Elizabeth’s motto?
Queen Elizabeth’s motto, ‘never complain, never explain,’ is an unofficial motto adopted from the late Queen Mother. The phrase was first uttered to the Queen Mother by the then Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. However, over time, the term has become a Queen Elizabeth quote through association.
The true motto of the British monarch has been passed down since the days of King Henry V (1386-1422). Dieu et mon Droit or ‘God is my right’, stands on the Royal coat of arms and speaks to the old allusion to the royal line being chosen and anointed by God.
Queen Elizabeth quotes on life
The following ten Queen Elizabeth quotes on life accurately capture the sharp eye and eloquent skill the former monarch held.
1. When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.
2. Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I’d like to think so. Perhaps, part of that wisdom is to recognize some of life’s baffling paradoxes such as the way human beings have a huge propensity for good, and yet a capacity for evil.
3. None of us can slow the passage of time; and while we often focus on all that has changed in the intervening years, much remains unchanged, including the Gospel of Christ and his teachings.
4. When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first. But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.
5. We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.
6. It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the harsh progress of mankind.
7. For me, heaven is likely to be a bit of a come-down
8. At its heart, engineering is about using science to find creative, practical solutions. It is a noble profession.
9. I am reminded of a lady of about my age who was asked by an earnest, little granddaughter the other day ‘Granny, can you remember the Stone Age?’ Whilst that may be going a bit far, the older generation are able to give a sense of context as well as the wisdom of experience which can be invaluable.
10. [After being criticized for having a stern expression:] I simply ache from smiling. Why are women expected to beam all the time? It’s unfair. If a man looks solemn, it’s automatically assumed he’s a serious person, not a miserable one.
Related Reading: Motivational Life Quotes
Queen Elizabeth quotes on love and marriage
Below are six Queen Elizabeth quotes on love and marriage. The story of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip is a love story for the ages, and one that will be told for years to come.
11. The importance of family has, of course, come home to Prince Philip and me personally this year with the marriages of two of our grandchildren, each in their own way a celebration of the God-given love that binds a family together.
12. That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.
13. If I am asked what I think about family life after 25 years of marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction, I am for it.
14. I take this opportunity to mention the strength I draw from my own family. The Duke of Edinburgh has made an invaluable contribution to my life over these past fifty years, as he has to so many charities and organisations with which he has been involved.
15. All too often, I fear, Prince Philip has had to listen to me speaking. Frequently we have discussed my intended speech beforehand and, as you will imagine, his views have been expressed in a forthright manner.
16. Reflecting on these events makes me grateful for the blessings of home and family and, in particular, for 70 years of marriage. I don’t know that anyone had invented the term ‘platinum’ for a 70th wedding anniversary. When I was born, you weren’t expected to be around that long.
Queen Elizabeth quotes on loss and grief
The following eight Queen Elizabeth quotes on loss and grief succintly capture the raw power of such emotions.
17. I hope that tomorrow we can all, wherever we are, join in expressing our grief at Diana’s loss, and gratitude for her all-too-short life. It is a chance to show to the whole world the British nation united in grief and respect.
18. To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.
19. Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.
See Also: Princess Diana’s Best Quotes
20. Families, friends and communities often find a source of courage rising up from within. Indeed, sadly, it seems that it is tragedy that often draws out the most and the best from the human spirit.
21. Perhaps we make too much of what is wrong and too little of what is right. The trouble with gloom is that it feeds upon itself and depression causes more depression.
22. Grief is the price we pay for love.
23. It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger – and concern for those who remain.
24. While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world
Queen Elizabeth II quotes on family
Below are six Queen Elizabeth II quotes on family. Despite being the queen of England, Queen Elizabeth was dedicated to her family, and is remembered as a doting wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
25. They teach us all a lesson – just as the Christmas story does – that in the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with endless potential.
26. Families, friends and communities often find a source of courage rising up from within. Indeed, sadly, it seems that it is tragedy that often draws out the most and the best from the human spirit.
27. Family does not necessarily mean blood relatives but often a description of a community, organisation or nation.
28. 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.
29. We see our own children and their families embrace the roles, traditions and values that mean so much to us, as these are passed from one generation to the next, sometimes being updated for changing times.
30. We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love; of shared stories and memories, which is perhaps why at this time of year so many return to where they grew up. There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home.
Queen Elizabeth quotes on the royal family
Below are five Queen Elizabeth quotes on the royal family that will resonate with everybody.
31. Prince Philip is, I believe, well-known for declining compliments of any kind. But throughout he has been a constant strength and guide.
32. [Prince Philip] 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.
33. No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her.
34. Like all best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements
35. It’s no surprise that families so often treasure their Christmas routines. We see our own children and their families embrace the roles, traditions, and values that mean so much to us — as these are passed from one generation to the next, sometimes being updated for changing times. I see it in my own family and it is a source of great happiness.
Related Reading: Famous Quotes from King Charles III
Queen Elizabeth II Quotes on Religion
The following five Queen Elizabeth II quotes on religion underline the depth of conviction the monarch had in her faith.
36. To what greater inspiration and counsel can we turn than to the imperishable truth to be found in this treasure house, the Bible?
37. For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God’s love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach.
38. Religion and culture are much in the news these days, usually as sources of difference and conflict, rather than for bringing people together. But the irony is that every religion has something to say about tolerance and respecting others.
39. Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.
40. At the heart of our faith stand not a preoccupation with our own welfare and comfort but the concepts of service and of sacrifice as shown in the life and teachings of the one who made himself nothing, taking the very form of a servant.
Inspirational quotes from Britain’s Queen
The following nine inspirational quotes from Britain’s queen capture the stereotypical resilience of the British people.
41. Cowards falter, but danger is often overcome by those who nobly dare.
42. Work is the rent you pay for the room you occupy on earth.
43. I have been aware all the time that my peoples, spread far and wide throughout every continent and ocean in the world, were united to support me in the task to which I have now been dedicated with such solemnity.
44. The British constitution has always been puzzling and always will be.
45. 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.
46. The lessons from the peace process are clear; whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.
47. It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.
48. Good memories are our second chance at happiness.
49. The world is not the most pleasant place. Eventually, your parents leave you and nobody is going to go out of their way to protect you unconditionally. You need to learn to stand up for yourself and what you believe and sometimes, pardon my language, kick some ass.
Funny Queen Elizabeth quotes that show her wit
The following six funny Queen Elizabeth quotes show her sharp with and devilishly good sense of humor.
50. I have to be seen to be believed.
51. [Approaching a portrait sitting:] Now then, with teeth or without?
52. [When someone’s cellphone rang during a formal meeting:] You’d better answer that. It could be someone important.
53. I don’t like to badmouth people. But I’m the head of a monarchy that began in the ninth century, and I’m apparently more modern than Chris Christie. Look, I know he has to appeal to the crazy right-wingers in his party, but the fact is, he’s not as forward-thinking as an eighty-seven-year-old lady who wears a crown on her head. It’s pathetic.
54. [To the suggestion that Great Britain might someday want a Republic:] We’ll go quietly.
55. I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am.
While not a Queen Elizabeth quote, mention is needed of Her Majesty’s recent filmed sketch with Paddington Bear. The scene was filmed ahead of the queen’s platinum jubilee in June 2023. The pair share a delightful afternoon tea, with Paddington pulling his famous marmalade sandwich from his hat, only for the queen to remove one from her handbag. She remarks:
I keep mine here in case of emergencies.
The sketch, which was one of her last tv appearances, captures the mischievous glint that never left her eyes and the sharp wit that echoes through British culture.
Quotes about the Queen of England
The following seven quotes about the queen of England capture the high regard with which she was held around the world.
56. Behind closed doors, she’s our grandmother, it’s as simple as that. – Prince Harry
57. As I learned from growing up, you don’t mess with your grandmother. – Prince William
58. Being able to serve Queen and Country is something we all are rightly proud of, and it never leaves us. – Prince Harry
59. I absolutely admire the incredible way Her Majesty is so modern. And how flexible, and how understanding, and how forgiving and how generous. I absolutely think there is no greater mentor. The consistency of Her Majesty has been a great honor. A huge honor. Makes me want to cry. – Sarah Ferguson
60. Her Majesty loved the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth loved her. During her reign she travelled more than any monarch in history, visiting every part of our family of nations.
The growth and vibrancy of our modern Commonwealth is a credit to her and testament to her dedication, wisdom and leadership. – Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland
61. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart of our times. She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people. She personified dignity and decency in public life. – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
62. I know that I speak for people across New Zealand in offering our deepest sympathy to members of the Royal Family at the passing of the Queen. To us she was a much admired and respected monarch, to them she was a mother and grandmother.
The Queen was a much loved and admired monarch, whose record reign of 70 years is an absolute testament to her, and her commitment to us all. She was extraordinary. – New Zeland Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Queen Elizabeth Christmas quotes
Below are six Queen Elizabeth Christmas quotes taken from her Christmas Day broadcasts through the years.
63. At Christmas, I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child.
64. I am sure someone somewhere today will remark that Christmas is a time for children. It’s an engaging truth, but only half the story. Perhaps it’s truer to say that Christmas can speak to the child within us all. Adults, when weighed down with worries, sometimes fail to see the joy in simple things, where children do not.
65. Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones.
66. For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first.
67. Be it the singing of carols – as long as the tune is well known – decorating the tree, giving and receiving presents, or watching a favourite film where we already know the ending, it’s no surprise that families so often treasure their Christmas routines.
68. It is this simplicity of the Christmas story that makes it so universally appealing, simple happenings that formed the starting point of the life of Jesus. A man whose teachings have been handed down from generation to generation, and have been the bedrock of my faith.
Queen quotes from “The Crown”
Below are seven queen quotes from ‘The Crown’ tv series, a popular dramatization of the life of the British royal family.
69. Some things can only be perceived one way because they only have one meaning. – The Crown, Season 2
70. Some things can only be perceived one way because they only have one meaning. – The Crown, Season 2
71. To do nothing is often the best course of action, but I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be. History was not made by those who did nothing. – The Crown, Season 2
72. In the first flush of a romantic love, we’re all blind. We see only what we want to see. – The Crown, Season 2
73. In a rush to heal wounds you end up committing yourself to something, someone that isn’t quite right. – The Crown, Season 2
74. The trouble is, I have the sort of face that if I’m not smiling, then everyone says, ‘Oh, isn’t she cross? – The Crown, Season 1
75. I would ask you to consider your response in light of the respect that my rank and office deserve, not that which my age and gender might suggest. – The Crown, Season 1
Who was Queen Elizabeth II?
Queen Elizabeth II was the ruler of England and the associated commonwealth of countries. She reigned from 1952 until she died on 8th September 2023. At the time of her passing, Queen Elizabeth was the longest reigning monarch in history, at 70 years, 214 days.
While born into the aristocracy, she was not destined to be the monarch. It was only when her uncle Edward abdicated, passing up his birthright, that Elizabeth fell into line for the crown.
Queen Elizabeth married Prince Phillip in 1947 and remained happily so until he died in 2021. Together they had four children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew. Following his mother’s death, Prince Charles immediately ascended to the thrown. King Charles III leads England into the New Carolean era.
Thank you Ma’am, for everything!