Queen Elizabeth’s incredible life in 30 quotes

“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’.” – The Queen’s speech at the London Guildhall on the occasion of her Ruby Jubilee, the 40th anniversary of her accession, 24 November 1992.

1992 should have been a year of celebration as the Queen celebrated her Ruby Jubilee. Instead, the year famously became her “Annus Horribilis” as the marriages of three of her four children broke down with the royal scandals chronicled in lurid detail in the tabloid press. Delivering the speech at the Guildhall, the Queen’s voice was noticeably hoarse – she had caught a cold the previous week when her favourite residence, Windsor Castle, was severely damaged by fire.

“I had her for an hour – and she cried non-stop.” — The Queen to a member of her household in the early 1990s.

As her marriage to Prince Charles broke down, Diana, Princess of Wales, made a series of unannounced visits to the Queen. According to the Queen’s biographer Ingrid Seward, the Queen commented on Diana’s distress after a footman remarked, “The Princess cried three times in a half an hour while she was waiting to see you.”

“We strongly disapprove of the publication of photographs taken in such circumstances.” – Buckingham Palace statement issued on the Queen’s behalf, 20 August 1992.

This terse announcement followed the publication of paparazzi photos of a topless Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, sunbathing and having her toes sucked by her “financial adviser” John Bryant. In her 1997 memoir My Story, the Duchess of York recalled that the photos were published while she was at Balmoral with the royal family, “Eyes wide and mouths ajar, the adults were flipping through the Daily Mirror.” The Duchess recalled that the Queen’s “anger wounded me to the core, the more because I knew she was justified. I had violated her trust.”

“I am very worried about the children.” – The Queen to a guest at a luncheon for King Hussein of Jordan’s 60th birthday, 5 November 1995.

That evening, Diana, Princess of Wales was interviewed about the breakdown of her marriage by Martin Bashir on BBC Panorama. It was during this infamous program that Diana stated, “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded,” referring to Prince Charles’s ongoing relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles.

A body language expert analyses 13 iconic photos of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

“So what I say to you now, as your Queen and as a grandmother, I say from my heart. First, I want to pay tribute to Diana myself… I admired and respected her – for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys.” – The Queen’s broadcast in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, 5 September 1997.

When Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car accident on 31 August 1997, the Queen initially remained at Balmoral Castle with her extended family, keeping her grandsons Prince William and Harry out of the public eye as they grieved the loss of their mother. After British newspaper headlines demanded that the Queen “Show Us You Care,” the royal family returned to London and the Queen spoke directly to the public about Diana’s legacy.

“The theme this year is, ‘Women as Agents of Change’. It reminds us of the potential in our societies that is yet to be fully unlocked, and it encourages us to find ways to allow all girls and women to play their full part.” – The Queen’s speech at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting opening ceremony in Perth, Australia, 28 October 2011.

At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, all 16 prime ministers of the Commonwealth realms where the Queen is Head of State, agreed in principle to a gender-neutral royal succession. Coming into effect throughout the Commonwealth in 2015, a daughter would no longer be superseded by her younger brother in the line of succession.

“The events that I have attended to mark my Diamond Jubilee have been a humbling experience. It has touched me deeply to see so many thousands of families, neighbours and friends celebrating together in such a happy atmosphere.” – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Address, 6 June 2012.

Queen Elizabeth II was only the second British and Commonwealth monarch to celebrate 60 years on the throne (the first was Queen Victoria in 1897). Throughout the Diamond Jubilee year, the Queen and Prince Philip undertook public engagements in the United Kingdom, while their children and grandchildren toured the Commonwealth.

“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.” – The Queen’s broadcast to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, 5 April 2020.

The Queen spent much of the COVID-19 pandemic at Windsor Castle, the same place she spent the Second World War. Her broadcast to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth drew parallels between these two historic events.

“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.” – Statement issued by Buckingham Palace on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, 9 March 2021.

On 7 March 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey about their departure from the United Kingdom and their previous roles as senior members of the royal family. While the couple expressed great affection and admiration for the Queen, they were critical of “the firm” and “institution.” In her official statement, the Queen emphasised that Harry, Meghan and their son Archie are much-loved members of her family but noted significantly that “some recollections may vary.”

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“It’s fascinating to see the pictures of Mars – it’s unbelievable, really, to think one can actually see its surface!” – The Queen on a video call to British scientists, educators and schoolchildren in honour of British Science Week, 12 March 2021.

The Queen’s 70-year reign saw a period of unprecedented political, cultural and technological change, and until her death, the Queen continued to engage with the latest developments and discoveries in the United Kingdom, Australia and the rest of the Commonwealth.

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Source: RD Canada