There had only been five female crowned monarchs, for Queen Elizabeth II to learn from, and even the formidable Queen Victoria was quoted as saying, that really a woman’s role was that of a “helpmate for a man.” One might say this remark was indicative of the status of women in Victorian times, yet not much had been done to redress this inequality by 1952.
Queen Elizabeth had to carve out her own path and, in a time, when gender and age could have prevented her from being taken seriously, at the age of 25, she vowed to pledge herself to our service and stepped up as a monarch in what was a very male world.
"I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong. "
Her Majesty The Queen
Queen Elizabeth II went on to become a steadfast and remarkable head of state for 15 countries and demonstrated female strength and power. She was a woman in charge without ever openly making a point about it. She never allowed gender to be a factor in her ability to reign, in actual fact, it wasn’t really a topic of conversation at all. Over time she built and executed power and influence quietly and without complaint.
Queen Elizabeth II did what she could within the framework she was bound to. There are many ‘firsts’ that showed how she quietly lived out her values such as: becoming the first woman in the royal family to join the armed forces against her father’s wishes; insisting that her family name would be that of the royal household and not of her husband and also that her children be educated outside of the palace.
We must remember that when Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne very few women worked after getting married; they stayed at home to raise the children and keep house. The man was considered the head of the household in all things; mortgages, legal documents, bank accounts. So, these may seem minor changes but with each decision made through her own example, Queen Elizabeth II demonstrated publicly, to other women, the ability to show her own mind and make her own decisions.
Perhaps one of the events recalled, that hinted of her quiet but steady support for women, was back in 1998 where she sped King Abdullah around Balmoral, in her Land Rover, at a time when women weren’t allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. No direct speeches were made, or opposition raised, but in her quiet understated way she gave a subtle show of solidarity.
Over her lifetime Queen Elizabeth II subverted expectations placed on women of her generation and beyond, showed women how strong they could be and how acceptable it is to be completely devoted to your job. Her Majesty leaves us the legacy of a powerful female role model for all women to be inspired by and draw courage from.
But what does the future hold, as we live through these historical times, where for many it will be the first time a King has been on the throne.
King Charles III addressed the Nation and the Commonwealth on 9 September 2022 and his address provided the first insight into the King's promise, which is to provide lifelong service, as his mother had done so before him.
"Queen Elizabeth's was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today".
King Charles III
The King referenced the Queen's love of tradition, but how she had also embraced progress, which he said has made "us great as Nations". But how will the King serve as a role model for women and future generations, will we continue to see women on the centre stage.
How will the employment landscape change during King Charles III's reign and what might this mean for equality in the workplace?