A Life Well Lived

Her Majesty The Queen, 1926-2022

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To give thanks for the life of Her Majesty The Queen.

Preparation and materials

• You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (A Life Well Lived) and the means to display them.
• Optional: during the ‘Time for reflection’ part of the assembly, you may wish to read out some of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s statement on the death of Her Majesty The Queen. It is available at: https://tinyurl.com/nu74vd2w

Assembly

1. Show Slide 1.
   
   Ask how the children are feeling today.
   
   Explain that many people are feeling sad today because we have heard the news that Her Majesty the Queen has died.
   
   
2. Ask the children what they think it means to serve others.
   
   Listen to a range of responses.
   
   Explain that the Queen believed that she should serve others by thinking of other people and doing things for their benefit. Throughout her life, she sought to care for and help others.
   
   
3. Show Slide 2.
   
   On her twenty-first birthday on 21 April 1947, the Queen made a speech in which she said, ‘I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.’
   
   This is how Queen Elizabeth lived her life. She has been an amazing example of dedication and service to people all over the world and she will be greatly missed.
   
   
4. Show Slide 3.
   
   Princess Elizabeth was born on 21 April 1926. Her parents were the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (and then Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother).
   
   In 1930, her sister Princess Margaret was born and the two girls grew up in a close family. During this time, Princess Elizabeth was never expected to become queen because it was her uncle who was next in line to the throne.
   
   However, following the death of Princess Elizabeth’s grandfather (King George V), and her uncle (King Edward VIII) giving up the throne, her father became King George VI. Suddenly, Princess Elizabeth was next in line to the throne.
   
   
5. Show Slide 4.
   
   On 20 November 1947, Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in a relatively simple ceremony, because Britain was still recovering from the effects of the Second World War.
   
   After a long and happy marriage, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died on 9 April 2021. Together, they had four children: Prince Charles (the Prince of Wales), Princess Anne (the Princess Royal), Prince Andrew (the Duke of York) and Prince Edward (the Earl of Wessex).
   
   
6. Show Slide 5.
   
   When her father died in 1952, Princess Elizabeth became the Queen. However, it was over a year later that her official coronation took place.
   
   
7. Show Slide 6.
   
   Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth represented the UK on hundreds of overseas visits and attended thousands of ceremonies and receptions. However, every day, she would also read letters from members of the public and, during the summer, she would host garden parties for both professional and volunteer workers.
   
   
8. Show Slide 7.
   
   In September 2015, Queen Elizabeth became the longest-reigning British monarch. In June this year, she celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service.
   
   Ask the children whether they remember the Platinum Jubilee and how the school joined in with the celebrations.
   
   Listen to a range of responses.
   
   Show Slide 8.
   
   Remind the children that the nation joined with the Royal Family to share in the celebrations, which were enjoyed around the world.
   
   
9. Although there is great sadness at the death of someone so special and treasured, we are grateful for a life well lived that has had a huge impact on the world.

Time for reflection

Let us pause for a moment to give thanks for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Pause to allow time for thought.

The life of Queen Elizabeth II is a challenge to all of us. Let us pause to think how we can show love and care to other people.

Pause to allow time for thought.

Optional: read out some of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s statement on the death of Her Majesty The Queen, if using.

Prayer
Dear God,
We thank you for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
We thank you for her faithful service and for the love that she has shown to others.
We pray for her family as they grieve. May you bring them peace during this time of sadness.
Please help us to love and care for those around us.
Please help us to follow the example of Her Majesty The Queen.
Amen.