A Faithful Queen
by Janice Ross
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To celebrate the long and faithful reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Preparation and materials
- Gather images of Queen Elizabeth in all or some of the following situations (adjusting the number according to how much time there will be) and have the means available to display them during the assembly:
- coronation in Westminster Abbey, 1953
- family photo with four children
- with a horse
- wedding of Prince Andrew
- Trooping of the Colour, 1981
- outside Buckingham Palace after Diana’s death
- a State banquet
- meeting the public on a walkabout
- Queen Mother’s funeral
- Diamond Jubilee
- giving her speech at Christmas.
- At the end of the assembly, you might like to sing the national anthem. Alternatively, you could have available the traditional coronation music ‘Zadok the priest’ by Handel and the means to play it.
Assembly
- On 9 September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II became Britain’s longest-serving monarch, overtaking her great great grandmother, Victoria, who reigned from the age of 18 to 81. Queen Elizabeth II became queen at an unexpectedly young age because of the death of her father, George VI, while she was holidaying in Kenya. She had a very young family and was thrown into the limelight.
At her coronation, when she was only 27, she took an oath, which is a promise before God. She promised to govern her people, exercise law and justice, with mercy, and 'maintain the laws of God'. - How much do you know about the Queen? See how many of the answers to these questions you can get right.
- Who was the Queen's father? King George VI, King Edward or King Charles?
- In which year did she become Queen? Was it 1953, 1958 or 1962?
- How many grandchildren does she have? Is it 6, 8 or 10?
- Where is her Scottish holiday home? Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Balmoral?
- What is the name of her most recent great granddaughter? Alice, Charlotte or Victoria?
- What breed of dog is her favourite? Labrador, King Charles spaniel or corgi?
- How many engagements does she attend in a year? Is it 210, 350 or 430?
- How many prime ministers has she interviewed? Is it 12, 8 or 6?
- Let's check your answers.
The Queen's father? King George VI.
The year she became Queen? She ascended the throne in 1952 and was crowned in 1953.
Ho many grandchildren? She has 8.
Her Scottish home? Balmoral.
The name of her great granddaughter? Charlotte.
Her favourite breed of dog? Corgi.
The number of engagements she attends? It is 430.
How many prime ministers? It is 12. - Display the images you have chosen to fit the time you have allowed for the assembly.
Ask the children, 'What do you think is happening in each of these pictures?'
Coronation in Westminster Abbey, 1953.
The Queen took an oath before God to govern her people, exercise law and justice, with mercy, and 'maintain the laws of God'.
Family photo with four children.
Explain that, as a young mother, the Queen often had to leave her young family for long periods of time to carry out State visits all over the world.
With a horse.
The Queen loves racing and has her own racehorses.
Wedding of Prince Andrew.
The subsequent break-up of the marriage affected the Queen deeply, just like it would any mother.
Trooping of the Colour, 1981.
Once, while while making her way to the ceremony, someone shot at the Queen and her horse shied. She managed to control her horse and bravely carried on. Another time she woke up to find an intruder in her bedroom. Because she is such a public figure, she has to take precautions to ensure her safety.
Outside Buckingham Palace after Diana’s death.
The divorce of Prince Charles, heir to the throne, and Princess Diana caused much sadness and media attention. After the tragic death of Diana in Paris, there was much criticism of the Queen for not returning immediately from Balmoral to London. She chose to stay in Scotland and prepare her sons, Princes William and Harry, for what would be an extremely difficult funeral.
A State banquet.
Every year, the Queen has more than 50,000 people to lunches, banquets, dinners and garden parties.
Meeting the public on a walkabout.
The Queen is patron to over 600 charities and organizations in Britain, including Cancer Research UK, the British Red Cross Society and Barnardo’s.
Queen Mother’s funeral.
The Queen's mother was a great support to her and deeply loved by the people of the UK.
Diamond Jubilee
All sorts of events and celebrations were organized to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Christmas message.
Every year, on Christmas day the Queen's speech is broadcast from Buckingham Palace and it has become a tradition to listen to it after lunch. - Two final questions for you.
- What did Queen Elizabeth promise when she was crowned?
- How do you rate her faithfulness?
Time for reflection
Think about the times when you imagine it might have been hard for the Queen to carry on practising her faithfulness. Being faithful is not always easy.
The Bible tells us to pray for our sovereign, so we will now say a little prayer for the Queen.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for our Queen.
Thank you for how faithful she has been to carrying out her duty.
Please bless her time with her family and give her strength and wisdom as she grows older.
May we be like her in seeking out what our purpose is and in doing it faithfully.
Amen.
Song/music
The national anthem
‘Zadok the priest’ by Handel
