At Christmas, I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child.

— Queen Elizabeth II

At its heart, engineering is about using science to find creative, practical solutions. It is a noble profession.

— Queen Elizabeth II

First, I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her - for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys.

— Queen Elizabeth II

For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first.

— Queen Elizabeth II

Grief is the price we pay for love.

— Queen Elizabeth II

I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice, but I can do something else - I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.

— Queen Elizabeth II

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.

— Queen Elizabeth II

I have behind me not only the splendid traditions and the annals of more than a thousand years but the living strength and majesty of the Commonwealth and Empire; of societies old and new; of lands and races different in history and origins but all, by God's Will, united in spirit and in aim.

— Queen Elizabeth II

I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.

— Queen Elizabeth II

I hope that tomorrow we can all, wherever we are, join in expressing our grief at Diana's loss, and gratitude for her all-too-short life. It is a chance to show to the whole world the British nation united in grief and respect.

— Queen Elizabeth II