Rest in Peace, Your Majesty

Her Majesty The Queen, 1926-2022

Suitable for Whole School (Sec)

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 (Rest in Peace, Your Majesty) 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.
   
   It is with great sadness that the world has learned of the peaceful death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She died on Thursday 8 September 2022 at her residence in Balmoral.
   
   
2. Show Slide 2.
   
   On her twenty-first birthday on 21 April 1947, in a speech that was broadcast from Cape Town in South Africa, Her Majesty The Queen stated, ‘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.
   
   
3. Show Slide 3.
   
   Throughout her remarkable life, Queen Elizabeth performed her duties with dedication and commitment, becoming a focus for national identity and pride.
   
   Today, we spend a few moments celebrating the life of this extraordinary woman as we join in sadness with people around the world.
   
   
4. Show Slide 4.
   
   Princess Elizabeth was born in the early hours of the morning 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 the abdication of her uncle (King Edward VIII), her father became King George VI. Suddenly, Princess Elizabeth was next in line to the throne.
   
   
5. Show Slide 5.
   
   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 6.
   
   When her father died in February 1952, Princess Elizabeth acceded to the throne. However, it was over a year later, in June 1953, that her official coronation took place.
   
   
7. Show Slide 7.
   
   Throughout her reign, the Queen’s life was subject to public scrutiny. However, she always carried herself with dignity in every situation. Although she represented the UK on hundreds of overseas visits and attended thousands of ceremonies and receptions, the Queen often said that it was her duties away from the camera that she felt were of particular importance.
   
   The Queen’s days would see her reading letters from members of the public, reading notes about her upcoming appointments, meeting officials at the palace, reading official documents and, in the summer, hosting garden parties for both professional and volunteer workers.
   
   
8. Show Slide 8.
   
   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.
   
   Show Slide 9.
   
   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 live our lives in service to one another.

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, her loyalty and a life given in the service of others.
We pray for her family as they grieve. May you bring them peace during this time of sadness.
Please help us to live lives of service to others.
Amen.