SimplyAbuDhabi XLI

and proving from a young age she was willing to work hard to serve her people, something she had in common with Sheikh Khalifa. In November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark. Just five years later, at aged 25, her life changed overnight from that of a young naval wife and mother to a busy Head of State when her father, King George VI passed away. She became queen of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka), as well as head of the Commonwealth. Historically, it was a very interesting time, one that must have challenged the young Queen but that she met head-on with her customary grace and abiding sense of duty. Great Britain was still recovering from the effects of the Second World War, while new post-war alliances were taking shape and changing the geopolitical landscape. At the same time, numerous subjects of the Crown were beginning to call for independence and autonomy to self-rule. The makeup of the Commonwealth was changing, and Her Majesty spent much of her time visiting other nations, meeting with leaders and being seen by the people as someone with immense courage and determination to lead. Indeed, she was to become known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service, and was an important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of both crisis and celebration. A working queen Even before her Coronation, travel in the UK and overseas dominated much of Her Majesty’s working life. Before she became Queen, she had said, “There is none of my father’s subjects from the oldest to the youngest whom I do not wish to greet.” During her reign, she visited every realm and every region of the UK, returning to some many times over. Though much of Her Majesty’s daily working life was spent in contact with her UK and Commonwealth ministers and representatives, it was her presence in these places during her many official visits which carried the most significance for those who lived there. Of course, she was quite busy with her State Duties as well. The Queen’s famous red boxes carried the State papers which Her Majesty was presented with every day of her working life. Her duties included formally agreeing to make bills into Acts of Parliament, or laws. 74 | Simply Abu Dhabi