Story Time
Right Action - Duty with Love
Quotation - ‘We cannot always do what we like, but we can like what we have to do’. Schacatel
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was born at 2.40 a.m. on April 21st, 1926.
She had an affectionate father and mother and one younger sister, Margaret, whom she loved dearly. During the Second World War, as a young girl, she broadcast to the children of the UK to keep up their spirits in such difficult times. Her parents too chose to stay in London with their family, raising the morale of the people by visiting them in hospitals and at the sites of their bombed homes.
In 1947, aged 21 Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip of Greece. He had had a difficult life as a young boy because of the political disturbances in Europe. He was a handsome young man who enjoyed sport and later joined the Royal Navy. Their marriage was a love marriage.
In 1952, when she was 25, her father died and she became Queen. The following year was the coronation, the ceremony in which she received the Crown at Westminster Abbey, which was watched by millions around the world.
During the Queen’s long reign she has witnessed loss and change, but has borne all with fortitude and equanimity. Her mother, the Queen Mother, lived to the very old age of 101, carrying out public duties daily almost to the end of her life. Her sister, Princess Margaret, died when she was 71.
The Queen, brought up never to show her feelings in public, has led public mourning for wars, terrorism and the untimely death of Princess Diana. She remained calm when her son, Andrew, was at war in the South Atlantic, and again she has remained calm, cool and dignified when three of her four children have gone through divorce, formerly almost unknown to the Royal Family.
From an early age, she has had to travel the world on public duty and in her eighties continues to serve her country daily.
When she became Queen, she vowed to her country to do her duty and to love and serve her country before all things, to the end of her life…. and she has. Some of the changes she has seen and adapted to, may not always have been easy for her.
In 2002, to celebrate fifty years of being Queen, there were celebrations across the country for the public to enjoy and many people young and old visited the Mall, near Buckingham Palace, to enjoy the entertainment. The day was broadcast on the BBC showing the crowds of thousands who had gathered in front of the palace. The Queen seemed visibly moved by the love shown to her.
The Queen’s message is strong and has stood the test of time. She is a supreme example to her people, dressing femininely, but modestly, she has had a lot of life experience and is always able to know what to say to everyone she meets, whether royal or common, high or low, rich or poor. She says just enough to make others feel valued and is always polite and kind to everyone.
President Obama declared on his visit to the UK in April 2009: “The Queen is the number one reason why I love the UK and why Americans respect Britain ... Her decency, civility and what she represents is very important.”
Questions:
1) What name would you like to give this story?
2) How did you feel when you heard the story?
3) Did it remind you of anything in your own life?
4) What is the name of the Queen?
5) When is her birthday?
6) What did she promise to do when she became Queen?
7) How is the Queen the embodiment of Right Action?
8) Is there anything we can learn from Queen Elizabeth’s life?
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