Reigning Queens Andy Warhol - Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

1926 – 2022

At this sad time, the nation and the whole world mourns our greatly beloved Queen Elizabeth, who through her more than 70-year reign became the oldest and longest serving sovereign in the country’s history.

Her Majesty was also Queen and head of state of 15 other countries, from Fiji, Australia and New Zealand to the Bahamas and Canada, all once part of the British Empire. She was head of the Commonwealth, whose 54 countries comprise 2.1 billion people, a third of the globe’s population.

During the course of her reign, Queen Elizabeth II was served by 15 prime ministers, met 13 American presidents, five popes, hundreds of national leaders, as well as thousands of celebrities and millions of ordinary people. She fulfilled her role with the utmost dignity and nobility.

Both at home and on the international stage, Queen Elizabeth was for many people a constant anchor as well as an inspiration for her lifetime of devoted service. Her reign saw some of the greatest changes in technological, economic and social development of any era.

Through many turbulent times, Queen Elizabeth was a wise and steadying presence - the
best-known woman and national leader in the world.

As well as her unwavering dedication to duty, the Queen was also known for her love of country pursuits, her role as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, her down-to-earth, pragmatic approach, her sense of humour, her warmth and compassion. Beyond all the pomp and circumstance, it was Her Majesty’s humanity that made her such a source of comfort and pride for Britons of every age, colour and faith.