Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and other Realms, in Memoriam

Queen Elizabeth II of the House of Windsor-Mountbatten, who reigned for 70 years over the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as 14 other realms around the world, and lead the 56-member Commonwealth of Nations, died earlier this month at the age of 96 at her castle in Scotland. Her devotion to public service was extraordinary. Princess Elizabeth served in the military as a mechanic during the Second World War, when her parents opted to remain in London with their suffering subjects during the German blitz, even while their palace was bombed. Elizabeth then served as a monarch since 1952, the longest-reigning Sovereign in history. Her duties, which she performed under advice from her Governments, required her to provide royal assent to British legislation; make many appointments in the United Kingdom and its dependencies and territories, including Prime Minister, and of Governors-General in her other realms that were in personal union with her; receive and make state visits; make an annual speech before Parliament expressing her Government’s platform; as well as providing royal imprimatur to numerous organizations by granting them their charters and appearing at their events. Elizabeth II was the greatest exemplar of a constitutional monarch, particularly one who is expected to remain above politics through strict political neutrality, as the Head of and symbol of the State. She performed her duties by maintaining worthy traditions, but adapting when prudent, and by always exhibiting propriety, both in her public and private life. The British Monarch is the head of the Church of England, but the Queen maintained friendly relations with the Popes. The rule requiring royals to marry only Anglicans was lifted during her reign. The Queen’s reign was a period of decolonization, but Elizabeth II remained solicitous of the Commonwealth and maintained friendly relations with many former colonies. Her visit to Philadelphia for the Bicentennial of American Independence from the U.K. in 1976 was particularly noteworthy. Elizabeth II engaged in great philanthropic endeavors. As during the War, she exhibited strong leadership by example during the Coronavirus Pandemic and exhorted her subjects with her inspirational speeches, as she did throughout her long reign. Queen Elizabeth II’s son is now reigning over the U.K. and his other realms as Charles III and leads the Commonwealth. The King, who was heir-apparent longer than anyone in history, is continuing his mother’s devotion to duty to public service under the British Constitution. The United Kingdom, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a close ally of the United States, as are some of Elizabeth’s other realms, such as Canada and Australia.