In Memoriam 2022: Elizabeth II (1926–2022) Tribute List

From 1952 to 2022, Queen Elizabeth II held the longest verified reign of any female monarch in history (70 years, 214 days). During her reign, she was regnant monarch of as many as 32 sovereign states, over which time the number of her reigns varied as territories gained independence. With her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, she raised four children, of which her eldest, Charles III, succeeded her as King. Significant life events, too numerous to recount, included her coronation, historic visits to China, Russia, and Ireland, five papal meetings, four jubilees, and the tragic death of Princess Diana. Through quotes and interviews this tribute list highlights Elizabeth II as monarch, head of state, and mother.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. monarch
    a nation's ruler usually by hereditary right
    On Thursday, September 8, Queen Elizabeth II’s death was officially announced by Buckingham Palace, marking the end of a 70-year reign. The Queen was the UK’s longest-serving monarch – serving from the "industrial age to the Internet age."
    – American University News
  2. prime minister
    head of government, especially of a parliamentary democracy
    In September 1928, Winston Churchill – who would, one day, be Elizabeth II’s first prime minister – stayed at Balmoral...He wrote to his wife: 'There is no one here at all, except the family, the household and Princess Elizabeth – aged two. The latter is a character. She has an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant.'
    – Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage
  3. reflective
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    In September 1928, Winston Churchill – who would, one day, be Elizabeth II’s first prime minister – stayed at Balmoral...He wrote to his wife: 'There is no one here at all, except the family, the household and Princess Elizabeth – aged two. The latter is a character. She has an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant.'
    – Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage
  4. dignitary
    an important or influential person
    A young female auto mechanic in military uniform in England in 1945 would not have been a rare sight, nor would a photograph of one such woman giving a demonstration to a visiting dignitary. This particular photo, however, is unusual because...The visiting dignitary is Queen Elizabeth — now perhaps better known as the Queen Mother — and the young ATS subaltern is her daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II.
    – Time
  5. coronation
    the ceremony of installing a new monarch
    "I've seen one coronation, and been the recipient in the other, which is pretty remarkable," she says.
    – Elizabeth II, BBC
  6. austerity
    excessive sternness
    The Queen ascended to the throne at the age of 25. The glittering ceremony caught the imagination of a nation still in the grip of post-war austerity.
    – BBC
  7. grief
    intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one
    "Grief is the price we pay for love."
    – Elizabeth II, USA Today
  8. appalling
    causing shock, dismay, or horror
    "In remembering the appalling suffering of war on both sides, we recognize how precious is the peace we have built in Europe since 1945."
    – Elizabeth II, USA Today
  9. cherish
    be fond of
    "It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult."
    – Elizabeth II, Forbes
  10. resilient
    recovering readily from adversity, depression, or the like
    "The wartime generation—my generation—is resilient."
    – Elizabeth II, CNN
  11. accountability
    responsibility to someone or for some activity
    "To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example."
    – Elizabeth II, Christmas Broadcast 2000
  12. eccentricity
    strange and unconventional behavior
    "Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements."
    – Elizabeth II, USA Today
  13. impetuous
    characterized by undue haste and lack of thought
    "Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements."
    – Elizabeth II, USA Today
  14. reminisce
    recall the past
    The Queen's youngest son reminisced about "probably the most jaw-dropping moment in any film television production": her entrance to the 2012 London Olympic Games opening ceremony.
    – BBC
  15. attribute
    a quality belonging to or characteristic of an entity
    "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."
    – Elizabeth II, CNN
  16. yield
    give over
    "We lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship to know the right time and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep."
    – Elizabeth II, The New York Times
  17. gratitude
    a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
    "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."
    – Elizabeth II, The New York Times
  18. resolute
    firm in purpose or belief
    "Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it."
    – Elizabeth II, USA Today
  19. endure
    continue to live through hardship or adversity
    "While we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again."
    – Elizabeth II, Reuters
Created on Wed Dec 07 20:45:46 EST 2022 (updated Mon Jan 09 15:17:13 EST 2023)

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