Queen Elizabeth's Best Quotes Through the Years

Mar. 15, 2025

01of 28Queen Elizabeth.The Royal Family/YouTube"It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change."—in her 2019 Christmas broadcast

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Queen Elizabeth.The Royal Family/YouTube

“It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.”

—in her 2019 Christmas broadcast

02of 28Queen Elizabeth at the engagement in Windsor Castle on October 19.ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty"Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom."—in her 1991 Christmas broadcast

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Queen Elizabeth at the engagement in Windsor Castle on October 19.ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty

“Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.”

—in her 1991 Christmas broadcast

03of 28Queen Elizabeth.Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty"I believe that, young or old, we have as much to look forward to with confidence and hope as we have to look back on with pride."—the Queen’s Golden Jubilee message, June 2012

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Queen Elizabeth.Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty

“I believe that, young or old, we have as much to look forward to with confidence and hope as we have to look back on with pride.”

—the Queen’s Golden Jubilee message, June 2012

04of 28Queen Elizabeth.Chris Jackson/Getty Images"Our modern world places such heavy demands on our time and attention that the need to remember our responsibilities to others is greater than ever."—in her 2002 Christmas broadcast

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Queen Elizabeth.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“Our modern world places such heavy demands on our time and attention that the need to remember our responsibilities to others is greater than ever.”

—in her 2002 Christmas broadcast

05of 28Getty"Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God."—in her 2002 Christmas broadcast

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Getty

“Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.”

06of 28Getty"When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future"—in her 2008 Christmas broadcast

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“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future”

—in her 2008 Christmas broadcast

07of 28Queen Elizabeth.Andrew Milligan/Pool/Getty"Perhaps we make too much of what is wrong and too little of what is right. The trouble with gloom is that it feeds upon itself and depression causes more depression."—in her 1974 Christmas broadcast

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Queen Elizabeth.Andrew Milligan/Pool/Getty

“Perhaps we make too much of what is wrong and too little of what is right. The trouble with gloom is that it feeds upon itself and depression causes more depression.”

—in her 1974 Christmas broadcast

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“In times of doubt and anxiety the attitudes people show in their daily lives, in their homes, and in their work, are of supreme importance.”

09of 28Queen Elizabeth.Scott Heppell - WPA Pool/Getty"Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves–from our recklessness or our greed."—in her 2011 Christmas broadcast

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Queen Elizabeth.Scott Heppell - WPA Pool/Getty

“Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves–from our recklessness or our greed.”

—in her 2011 Christmas broadcast

10of 28Queen Elizabeth.Samir Hussein - Pool/WireImage"It is through this lens of history that we should view the conflicts of today, and so give us hope for tomorrow."—in her 2011 Christmas broadcast

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Queen Elizabeth.Samir Hussein - Pool/WireImage

“It is through this lens of history that we should view the conflicts of today, and so give us hope for tomorrow.”

11of 28Queen Elizabeth.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty"Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives."—in her 2008 Christmas broadcast

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Queen Elizabeth.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty

“Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives.”

12of 28Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty"Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour."—in her 2004 Christmas broadcast

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Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty

“Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour.”

—in her 2004 Christmas broadcast

13of 28Getty"If we resolve to be considerate and to help our neighbours; to make friends with people of different races and religions; and, as our Lord said, to look to our own faults before we criticise others, we will be keeping faith with those who landed in Normandy and fought so doggedly for their belief in freedom, peace and human decency."—in her 1994 Christmas broadcast

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“If we resolve to be considerate and to help our neighbours; to make friends with people of different races and religions; and, as our Lord said, to look to our own faults before we criticise others, we will be keeping faith with those who landed in Normandy and fought so doggedly for their belief in freedom, peace and human decency.”

—in her 1994 Christmas broadcast

14of 28Chris Jackson/Getty"With age does come experience and that can be a virtue if it is sensibly used. By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honour the freedom and democracy once won for us at so great a cost."—in her 1998 Christmas broadcast

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Chris Jackson/Getty

“With age does come experience and that can be a virtue if it is sensibly used. By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honour the freedom and democracy once won for us at so great a cost.”

—in her 1998 Christmas broadcast

15of 28Frank Augstein/AP/Shutterstock"No age group has a monopoly of wisdom, and indeed I think the young can sometimes be wiser than us. But the older I get, the more conscious I become of the difficulties young people have to face as they learn to live in the modern world."—in her 1998 Christmas broadcast

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Frank Augstein/AP/Shutterstock

“No age group has a monopoly of wisdom, and indeed I think the young can sometimes be wiser than us. But the older I get, the more conscious I become of the difficulties young people have to face as they learn to live in the modern world.”

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“We know the reward is peace on earth, goodwill toward men, but we cannot win it without determination and concerted effort.”

—in her 1963 Christmas broadcast

17of 28Kate Middleton, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Queen Elizabeth.OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty"It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the harsh progress of mankind."—in her 1966 Christmas broadcast

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Kate Middleton, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Queen Elizabeth.OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty

“It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the harsh progress of mankind.”

—in her 1966 Christmas broadcast

18of 28Getty"Whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load."—in 2011 at the Queen’s Ireland state banquet

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“Whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.”

—in 2011 at the Queen’s Ireland state banquet

19of 28Steve Parsons/PA Images/Getty Images"Even when your life seems most monotonous, what you do is always of real value and importance to your fellow men."—during her 1954 Christmas broadcast

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Steve Parsons/PA Images/Getty Images

“Even when your life seems most monotonous, what you do is always of real value and importance to your fellow men.”

—during her 1954 Christmas broadcast

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Queen Elizabeth in her Diamond Diadem.Kirsty Wigglesworth/Getty

—in a 2015 speech at the Borders Railway, Scotland

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“Grief is the price we pay for love.”

—following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001

22of 28Queen Elizabeth.Mark Cuthbert/getty"Though we each lead different lives, the experience of growing older, and the joys and emotions which it brings, are familiar to us all."—in her 1998 Christmas broadcast

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Queen Elizabeth.Mark Cuthbert/getty

“Though we each lead different lives, the experience of growing older, and the joys and emotions which it brings, are familiar to us all.”

23of 28Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images"We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock."—in her 2013 Christmas broadcast

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Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images

“We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.”

—in her 2013 Christmas broadcast

24of 28OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images"It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult."—in her 1957 Christmas broadcast

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OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult.”

—in her 1957 Christmas broadcast

25of 28Queen Elizabeth.CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images"I know of no single formula for success, 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."—in her address to the United Nations General Assembly in July 2010

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Queen Elizabeth.CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“I know of no single formula for success, 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.”

—in her address to the United Nations General Assembly in July 2010

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Queen Elizabeth.STEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP via Getty Image

—at the Queen’s Commonweath Day message

27of 28HUlton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis/Getty"If I am asked what I think about family life after 25 years of marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction, I am for it."—during her wedding anniversary speech in 1972

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HUlton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis/Getty

“If I am asked what I think about family life after 25 years of marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction, I am for it.”

—during her wedding anniversary speech in 1972

28of 28Queen Elizabeth.Getty"And when peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place."—the Queen’s wartime broadcast (and her first public speech) in 1940, when she was still Princess Elizabeth

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Queen Elizabeth.Getty

“And when peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.”

—the Queen’s wartime broadcast (and her first public speech) in 1940, when she was still Princess Elizabeth

source: people.com