It was the great blessing of Elizabeth II’s reign, and the great good fortune of her subjects, that she succeeded in this to a degree that could not have been expected or even hoped for.

She had made clear her dedication to the task on the occasion of her 21st birthday when, as Princess Elizabeth, she made a moving declaration from Cape Town that was broadcast across the Empire:

“I declare before you all that 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. But I shall not have the strength to carry our this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and Gold bless all of you who are willing share in it.”

Eoin Treacy's view

It is an uncommon characteristic in our age to say something,  mean it, live by it and leave everyone else in the dust by persisting in it. That’s what I find truly inspiring about Queen Elizabeth II. She embodied a quiet confidence in the rightness of her actions most of us can only aspire to.