Driven by duty, Sustained by faith. Our dear Queen Elizabeth II.
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of our dear Queen Elizabeth II who reigned over our country for the past 70 years. She will be missed by the nation and will stand in history as one of the most cherished figures.
We will remember her for her steadfast dedication, keeping her promise and setting the ultimate example of human values.
We would also like to offer our condolences to the Royal Family, for whom now will be a difficult time as they cope with the personal loss of a much beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Long live the King.
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The Queen was everything – a mother, daughter, sister, wife and monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years and was a driven and passionate woman. She was dedicated to her duties and this country, always showing up wearing a smile (and matching suit and hat) come rain or shine.
She was loved by everyone and committed to serving us. Queen Elizabeth II was the nations bright star, and a woman of admiration.
So as we all take this time to grieve and reflect on what is important, I leave you with her majesty’s words – “Grief is the price we pay for love.”
By Dawn Shindler
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Driven by duty, Sustained by faith, Our Dear Queen Elizabeth II
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of our dear Queen Elizabeth II who reigned over our country for the past 70 years. She will be missed by the nation and will stand in history as one of the most cherished figures.
In her reign, which began in February 1952, after the death of her father, King VI, Elizabeth became Queen of England at 25. With two small children, which came with a lifelong commitment and dedication to Britain. During times of uncertainty and profound shifts in geopolitical power and social change, Queen Elizabeth II served as a reassuring figure and a beacon of stability.
Queen Elizabeth did not apply for the role that she took on. In 1936, Elizabeth’s uncle Edward VIII abdicated and her father, the Duke of York became King George VI. Elizabeth’s apprenticeship of lifelong dedication to Royal duties began.
During her first tour in Capetown, in 1947 she celebrated her 21st birthday and delivered one of her most well-known speeches, dedicating her life to the Commonwealth.
“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” she said.
“This is a happy day for me; but it is also one that brings serious thoughts, thoughts of life looming ahead with all its challenges and with all its opportunity,” the young Elizabeth said.
But for all that endurance, it was her embrace of the transformative changes happening to this country that made her passing as relevant and stoic today as it were seven decades ago. Even in the darkest and most turbulent times, our Queen stayed quietly resolute, honourable and proud.
There is hope that as our country steps into a new era, we carry over her grace and embracive change. We will remember her for her steadfast dedication, keeping her promise and setting the ultimate example of human values.
From Oakleaf Partnership, we would also like to offer our condolences to the Royal Family, for whom now will be a difficult time as they cope with the personal loss of a much-beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
God Save the King.
By Olivia Hennessy
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Along with the rest of the country, I have been watching the news over the last few days following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Many programmes have focused on her life and reign – 70 years is a long time! It has made me think about how the world has changed during this period.
A picture that really stood out to me was of the new Queen Elizabeth being greeted by then Prime Minister, Winston Churchill and his cabinet as she stepped off the plane from Kenya, following the death of her father in February 1952. A 25 year old woman in front of a group of men at least twice her age in a time when women did not lead or hold positions of power or influence.
In the following years, she has ruled through an immense change in society, particularly for women. The impact that one woman had on the world over such a long period of time is phenomenal and not to be underestimated. The royal family has had its fair share of highs and lows and its popularity has fluctuated, but the Queen was always the consistent leader. The royal family has learnt to show a more human side, talking about issues such as mental health for example.
Subsequent tributes described Queen Elizabeth as a Servant of the People, truly dedicated to her role. This is very much in contrast to the command and control form of leadership of the men in the photograph in 1952 but also demonstrated by subsequent political leaders in the decades since.
Queen Elizabeth embodied the definition of servant leadership, a leadership style whereby an individual interacts with others to achieve authority rather than power. A quick google search has defined the 5 key characteristics of a servant leader as follows:
- Valuing people for who they are
- Humility and putting others first
- Listening and wanting to learn from others
- Giving trust to others and receiving it in return
- Displaying kindness and genuine concern for others
Queen Elizabeth really lived these values during her 70 year reign, often through very difficult times. I hope that they will continue to be part of her lasting legacy as we move into a next phase of our country’s future under the reign of King Charles III.
By Emma Castillo