Queen Elizabeth II

It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8th September 2022.

All the staff at Easy Resettlement magazine send our deepest condolences to The Royal Family at this very sad time. 

This will be the most difficult article to write, quite simply how do you quantify 70 years of service from the greatest monarch to have served so tirelessly, so selflessly, with such courage and conviction, from a young woman that most likely never expected to reign, to the 96-year-old lady that served until her final days. 

Having accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson and accepting Liz Truss as the new Prime Minister only days before her passing. HM Queen Elizabeth II served her country, her nation, her people, to the very last days of her life. 

This is why she will go down in history as not only the longest serving monarch, but also the most loved and admired leader, mother, grandmother and great grandmother that this country has ever seen or will ever see again. 

HM Elizabeth II, in full Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, officially Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of her other realms and territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, (born April 21, 1926, London, England—died September 8, 2022, Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland)

The Queen was Commander in Chief and as sovereign she was the official Head of the Armed Forces, when joining service you must swear an Oath of Allegiance to Her Majesty. 

Britain’s Royal Family have always had an intimate association with the Armed Forces that goes back centuries. The Queen herself began her relationship with the British military when, in 1945, as a young princess, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service – making her the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Forces as an active member.

During her Reign many members of the Royal Family have themselves served in the military Famously, the Duke of Edinburgh served in the Royal Navy, between 1939 and 1952, during which he was mentioned in dispatches for his actions during the Second World War. He rose to the rank of Commander.

Prince Charles also served in the Royal Navy, as well as training with the Royal Air Force. He was awarded his RAF wings at Cranwell on 20 August 1971.

Prince William served as a Regimental Officer in the British Army before undertaking attachments to the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. This was until September 2008 when it was announced that he would train to become a full-time pilot with Search and Rescue (SAR).

Prince Harry had a distinguished military career. He served in the British Army for 10 years, during which time he rose to the rank of Captain and saw active service in Afghanistan on two separate tours. 

Prince Andrew trained as a naval officer, receiving his pilot’s wings in 1981. The following year, as a Royal Navy sub-lieutenant, he flew helicopter missions in the Falkland Island War. Retiring in 2001, he reached the honorary rank of vice admiral in 2015.

Her unwavering dedication, commitment and affiliation to the Armed forces will live on through her children, grandchildren and no doubt in time her great grandchildren. Truly leaving a legacy that the British Armed forces will always cherish, respect, and admire. Ma’am you have led with an unblemished record and can now stand down. 

Since the sad news broke that HM The Queen had died, many condolences and messages of admiration and respect have been shared through various news outlets and social media platforms. Here a just a few of them. 

Adm Radakin said: 

On behalf of the Armed Forces, I would like to express our condolences to His Majesty The King, and to the Royal Family.

The relationship between the Queen and the Armed Forces was deeply personal. Through her own service in the Second World War, and as the wife, mother and grandmother of service personnel, the Queen understood better than most the burdens and the glory of a life in uniform.

In the coming days our sailors, soldiers and aviators must perform their final duty to a much-loved Sovereign. We do so with admiration and gratitude.

For those of us who have the privilege to now wear the King’s uniform, there remains no greater honour than to serve our Crown and Country.”

The First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sir Ben Key said: “The very sad news today of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has touched every member of the Royal Navy.

“In all our lives, her reign has been a constant, and her dedication and lifetime of service was utterly inspiring.

She exemplified qualities we all aspire to. As the daughter, wife and mother of Royal Naval officers, Her Majesty had a close affinity with the men and women in her Royal Navy and those who support us and she took close personal interest in their wellbeing, as well as that of their families. We owe her a debt we can never repay.

May she rest in peace. God Save the King.”

Chief of the General Staff General Sir Patrick Sanders said: 

It is with profound sorrow that the Army marks the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

The nation has lost its Sovereign. The Army has lost its Commander-in-Chief. The Royal Family has lost a dedicated mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Her Majesty epitomised duty, selfless commitment and loyalty. Her service inspired generations of soldiers.

She will be remembered by all ranks of the British Army with the deepest affection.

Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff, said: 

It is with overwhelming sadness that the Royal Air Force and Royal Auxiliary Air Force mourn the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

During her long and glorious reign, she has been the embodiment of a life dedicated to the service of the Nation and the Commonwealth, and for that has been admired by millions around the world.

Her Majesty, as Head of the Armed Forces, has been a constant source of inspiration and a pillar of strength to all who have been privileged to serve her. Those who had the honour of meeting Her Majesty will never forget their interaction and the deep sense of pride they felt in that moment.

On behalf of everyone in the Royal Air Force, serving, retired, and their families, I offer our deepest condolences to His Majesty The King and The Royal Family.

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