The Life and Legacy of Queen Elizabeth II

In 1945, the accomplished future Queen Elizabeth became the first female member of the royal family to enter the armed services as a full-time active member, partaking in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she served as a driver and a mechanic. Queen Elizabeth II's coronation took place on February 6, 1952. Her seven decades of rule witnessed many historical events and milestones in the United Kingdom and around the world. Elizabeth gathered world leaders to join the Commonwealth, authorizing countries to preserve their independence while working together. Under her leadership, this Association of Sovereign States went from 8 members to the 54 members it has currently.

 

Queen Elizabeth II stood at the forefront of technology, utilizing radio, television, print, and ultimately social media to convey a remarkable, personal glimpse into the royal family and government. In May of 1991, Queen Elizabeth became the first British monarch to address the U.S. Congress, securing a strong alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2013, she instituted the Succession to the Crown Act, which permitted the crowning of the eldest child in line for the throne - whether boy or girl.

 

A few of the major events that occurred during Queen Elizabeth's reign comprise six major wars (including World War II), the decolonization of Africa, the moon landing, the construction of the European Union, the return of Hong Kong to China, the preface of the internet, the advancement of innovative technology, the fall of the Berlin Wall, Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Her Royal Majesty has been laid to rest in the King George VI Memorial Chapel within St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Her son King Charles III and his siblings and sons marched behind the coffin, which was garnished by a wreath with white roses and her crown propped on a purple velvet pillow.

 

The late queen was well-known for being a masterful and proficient speaker and writer. Moreover, the power and impact of her words will enable her legacy to always be remembered. Queen Elizabeth II once articulated, "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."