It's hard to imagine a time before Queen Elizabeth was Queen of England. After all, she was its monarch for 70 years. While her death has created a tremendous void in the world, she left quite a legacy and provided us all with so much wisdom and insight to draw from in the months and years to come. During her historic reign, the Queen gave some seriously inspirational speeches, motivating the rest of us to be better people in the process. She was a powerful speaker, and that fact has only become clearer now that we've taken a moment to reflect on some of her more memorable quotes.
Between being part of the royal family, raising her own kids, and supporting Prince Harry and Prince William after their mom's death, the Queen managed to do it all — balancing her personal responsibilities with her duty to her country flawlessly. We have a lot to learn from this amazing lady!
Read on for some of Elizabeth's most inspiring quotes, which prove that she was always meant to helm a country. Of course, she did grow up knowing that she would be Queen someday, but when she unexpectedly stepped into the role in 1952, at the young age of 25, she proved to be a natural-born leader. Her dignity, strength, and commitment will long be remembered, as will these poignant comments she made on topics ranging from the meaning of family to how to make a difference in the world.
Not Taking Life Too Seriously
During Elizabeth's 1991 Christmas broadcast, a tradition she upheld every year, she told her audience, "Let us not take ourselves too seriously. No one has a monopoly on wisdom, and we must always be ready to listen and respect other points of view."
Even though she was literally the Queen of England, Elizabeth definitely understood that there's much we can all learn from one another.
"Grief Is the Price We Pay for Love"
While sharing a message at a service held for British people in mourning after the 2001 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, Elizabeth's speech said, "Grief is the price we pay for love." Although that can't help us when we're going through something difficult, it's definitely a reminder that if we've lost someone, we're so lucky to have had them in our lives when we loved them so much.
Making a Difference
Elizabeth long believed that it's possible for anyone to make a difference, no matter who they are. In her 1954 Christmas broadcast, she told the people of England:
"We are amazed by the spectacular discoveries in scientific knowledge, which should bring comfort and leisure to millions. We do not always reflect that these things also have rested to some extent on the faithful toil and devotion to duty of the great bulk of ordinary citizens. The upward course of a nation's history is due, in the long run, to the soundness of heart of its average men and women."
The True Meaning of Courage
As it turns out, the Queen's Christmas speeches also happened to be some of her most inspirational, such as the one that took place in 2008 when she opened up about the real meaning of courage — and the drive to keep going, even when things are hard.
"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," she said at the time.
Being a Leader
While talking to the United Nations in 2010, the Queen focused part of her speech on what leadership meant to her: Someone who is able to inspire others to work together.
"I know of no single formula for success, but over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm, and their inspiration to work together," she said.
Building a Better Future
During part of her 1957 holiday broadcast, the Queen talked about having the courage to stand up for our convictions, and choosing to lead with kindness to build a brighter future for the country in the coming year.
"It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult. That is why we can take a pride in the new Commonwealth we are building," she said.
'Never Wear Beige'
Here's a quote that really shows the Queen's sense of humor. The monarch was known for wearing very bright clothes — including her unforgettable hat collection — and in Robert Hardman's biography, Our Queen, he noted that she once explained why she liked to make such an impact with her clothing rather than going for something more neutral.
"I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am," she said.
'Seen To Be Believed'
Not only did the Queen proudly wear bright colors, but she also was unapologetically herself for all of her 96 years of life. As she once said, "I have to be seen to be believed," and we don't doubt for a minute that's true. After all, Elizabeth always seemed larger than life, but it must have been something special to meet her in person and see what she was capable of.
The Balance Between Action & Reflection
It's so easy to get lost in our own world and lose our way, but as Elizabeth pointed out in her 2013 Christmas broadcast, that's why taking the right amount of time to reflect is so important:
"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. Be it through contemplation, prayer, or even keeping a diary, many have found the practice of quiet personal reflection surprisingly rewarding, even discovering greater spiritual depth to their lives."
Family Disagreements
Just because Elizabeth's family happens to be royal doesn't mean they don't have their disagreements, and this quote especially rings true after all the feud rumors we've heard over the last couple of years. The Queen once pointed out that her family is like every other, according to the Telegraph.
"Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters, and of family disagreements," she said.
Breathe Gentleness
Another Christmas broadcast, another opportunity for Elizabeth to truly address her country about what was important to her — including her thoughts on the strength of her fellow women.
"It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the harsh progress of mankind," she said. "The struggles against inhuman prejudice, against squalor, ignorance, and disease, have always owed a great deal to the determination and tenacity of women."
Hopes for the Future
When the Queen was crowned in 1953, of course, she had some inspiring words to share as part of her coronation speech. From the beginning, it was clear that she was prepared to serve her country.
"I am sure that this, my coronation, is not the symbol of a power and a splendor that are gone but a declaration of our hopes for the future, and for the years I may, by God's grace and mercy, be given to reign and serve you as your Queen," she said.
Cherishing Princess Diana's Memory
The country and the world were shaken when Princess Diana unexpectedly died in 1997, and the Queen was there to speak to her people, sharing inspiring words about her daughter-in-law even in the face of so much loss.
"No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her," she said. "I for one believe there are lessons to be drawn from her life and from the extraordinary and moving reaction to her death. I share in your determination to cherish her memory."
Aching From Smiling
In 1985, Queen Elizabeth reportedly had this witty comeback prepared when she was asked why she wears such a serious expression all the time, and it's likely something many women have felt before and since.
"I simply ache from smiling. Why are women expected to beam all the time?" she said. "It's unfair. If a man looks solemn, it's automatically assumed he's a serious person, not a miserable one."
Lessons From Peace
In a speech she made in Dublin in 2011, Queen Elizabeth shared that she believed the only way to accomplish things is by working together rather than taking on a challenge individually.
"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," she said at the time.
Diversity Is a Strength, Not a Threat
During a speech in 2004, Elizabeth admitted that although there are plenty of people who discriminate against those who are different from them, diversity is actually a strength.
"Discrimination still exists. Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened," she said. "Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures. They all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat.”
Prince Philip Being Her 'Strength'
Queen Elizabeth gave a speech to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with Prince Philip in 1997, sharing how much she loved her husband — and how much he had supported her and their country while she'd been serving as its monarch.
"He is someone who doesn't take easily to compliments but he 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," she said at the time.
The Meaning of Family
In 2011, Queen Elizabeth opened up about the meaning of family, and how she believed it's not always just the people who are related to us by blood.
"Of course family does not necessarily mean blood relatives," she said. "But often a description of a community, organization, or nation. The Commonwealth is a family of 53 nations all with a common bond, shared beliefs, mutual values, and goals. It is this that makes the Commonwealth a family in the truest sense."
Breaking Down Barriers During Difficult Times
In the same speech, Elizabeth shared that she'd found that difficult times have a way of bringing people together and making them stronger than ever before.
"We have seen that it's in hardship that we often find strength from our families," she said. "It is in adversity that we often find new friendships are formed. And it's in a crisis that communities break down barriers and bind together to help one another."
