Queen Elizabeth II – the second-longest reigning monarch in history – has passed away at the age of 96.
As her family, and the rest of the world, mourns the loss, we look back on all the times our Queen broke down barriers and sidestepped traditions, taking the monarchy into the 21st century. While the Queen famously put her duty before all else, she was also known to break with convention and modernise protocol where she saw fit. This was just one of the things that contributed to her immense popularity and respect among those who knew her, and those who admired her from afar.
Here are all the best examples of Queen Elizabeth II breaking traditions, for you to reflect on at this sad time.
Joining the military
During her time as a Princess, Elizabeth served in the Armed Forces, becoming the first female royal to do so. She worked within the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, and learned how to fix truck engines.
13th June 1946: Queen Elizabeth II attending the passing out parade of the ATS whilst wearing full military uniform. (Photo by J. A. Hampton/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)J. A. Hampton/Getty Images
Talking about politics
All royals are discouraged from discussing political events, in an effort to keep the monarchy neutral. However, in her time, the Queen left some choice words on the record about certain political news – breaking tradition as she did so.
For example, she made a plea for “respect and the seeking of common ground” when tensions from the result of the Brexit referendum first surfaced, she reportedly “purred down the line” to David Cameron at the news of the Scots voting against independence and disagreed with Margaret Thatcher’s handling of South Africa’s apartheid issues.
She called Thatcher’s refusal to impose sanctions on South Africa “uncaring, confrontational and socially divisive”.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II reads the Queen’s Speech on the The Sovereign’s Throne in the House of Lords chamber, during the State Opening of Parliament in the Houses of Parliament in London on December 19, 2019. – The State Opening of Parliament is where Queen Elizabeth II performs her ceremonial duty of informing parliament about the government’s agenda for the coming year in a Queen’s Speech. (Photo by Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP) (Photo by AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)AARON CHOWN/Getty Images
Authorising a Ceremonial Funeral for Princess Diana
While she may have initially suggested a private funeral for Princess Diana – as she was no longer technically a member of the Royal Family after divorcing Prince Charles – the Queen broke tradition and authorised the ceremonial funeral that Charles and so many members of the public wanted, in order to fully mourn the loss of the People’s Princess.
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