Human Rights at Sea joins the world in mourning the death of Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, who sadly passed away on Thursday, 8 September 2022, at 96 years of age.
Flags across the United Kingdom and Commonwealth are flown at half-mast as a sign of our tremendous respect and gratitude for an extraordinary woman. Once a young girl who did not expect to be Queen, on her 21st birthday, in a speech broadcast from Cape Town, Her Royal Highness (then Princess Elizabeth) dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth, and she grew to be an icon and celebrated figure that ruled for more than 70 years.
At 16, she joined the Sea Rangers: a separate unit of the Girl Guides, which was created for those with a strong naval interest, and in 1945, she was made a Sea Ranger Commodore. Patron of over 500 organisations, including the Seafarers Charity and the Sailors Society, The Queen's dedication and support to seafarers and their families has been unwavering.
In June 2022, Queen Elizabeth II and her grandson Prince William paid tribute to Britain's Caribbean immigrants for their "profound contribution" to the UK as a national monument was unveiled in London to celebrate the migrants' work to help rebuild Britain after World War II.
Recently, the Queen and Royal Family secretly opened their doors to offer shelter to Ukrainian refugees, and it was reported that Her Majesty had also contributed a "generous" donation to the UK charity Disasters Emergency Committee.
The Queen's example and continuity are rare among leaders, and it has been a great source of pride and reassurance. She was a remarkable woman who carried out her duties as she promised against a backdrop of a full personal life which saw her raise four children and welcome grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with her late husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The Queen will be missed by not only the Royal family but the nation and the world as a whole, and Human Rights at Sea extends its deepest sympathies to all at this sad time.