HRH Queen Elizabeth II never had sights on becoming queen. She was born in 1926 and spent the early years of her life, with her sister Margaret living within a loving family environment. At the age of six, she said to her riding instructor that she wanted to be, ” a country lady, with lots of horses and dogs”.
However, life for her changed forever when her uncle, the then King Edward VIII abdicated in order to marry the woman he loved. This meant Elizabeth’s father became King George VI in 1936 and she became next in line to the throne.
After becoming queen in 1952 after the untimely death of her father, she took on the role she never wanted but knew to be her duty.
“In a way, I didn’t have an apprenticeship. My father died much too young, so it was all a very sudden kind of taking on and making the best job you can.”
HRH Queen Elizabeth II
It was such an unimaginably huge role for such a young person to take on, but take it on she did with the aim to carry out the duties expected of her to the best of her abilities. She went on to become the longest reigning monarch, working until the end demonstrating that she was more capable and an inspiration to many.
It was not only her unwavering attitude towards her sense of duty but her love for a simple family life revolving around outdoor pursuits and all the best the countryside can offer which helped to shape her into the formidable woman she was and the way she approached the job she never chose. There was a “no nonsense” attitude that she felt you should just get on with it.
She was not afraid to “get stuck in” whilst maintaining a sense of dignity and poise. Away from the tiaras and meeting world dignitaries she was to find peace and happiness amongst the wilds of the countryside around the United Kingdom as well as surrounding herself with the animals she was so fond of.
She really was, our original country girl.
