Q

Queen Elizabeth II

15 quotes

Details about Queen Elizabeth II's life are scarce, but their observations have traveled far and wide. The range of their thinking — from History to Sympathy — speaks to an intellectual restlessness that shows in every quote. Discover 18 of Queen Elizabeth II's most memorable quotes, ranging across History, Sympathy, Strength, Peace, and Future. Consider this gem from Queen Elizabeth II: "Grief is the price we pay for love."

“To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Sympathy

All Quotes by Queen Elizabeth II

“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.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

History

“Therefore 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.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Future

“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.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Peace

“I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else - I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

History

“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Trust

“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.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Leadership

“First, I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her - for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Smile

“In remembering the appalling suffering of war on both sides, we recognise how precious is the peace we have built in Europe since 1945.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Peace

“What were once only hopes for the future have now come to pass it is almost exactly 13 years since the overwhelming majority of people in Ireland and Northern Ireland voted in favour of the agreement signed on Good Friday 1998, paving the way for Northern Ireland to become the exciting and inspirational place that it is today.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Future

“Like all best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Family

“To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Sympathy

“Grief is the price we pay for love.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Love

“My husband has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years, and I owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Strength

“I hope that tomorrow we can all, wherever we are, join in expressing our grief at Diana's loss, and gratitude for her all-too-short life. It is a chance to show to the whole world the British nation united in grief and respect.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

Respect

“I have behind me not only the splendid traditions and the annals of more than a thousand years but the living strength and majesty of the Commonwealth and Empire of societies old and new of lands and races different in history and origins but all, by God's Will, united in spirit and in aim.”

— Queen Elizabeth II

History