Constancy, commitment, calmness, Corgis, country life … whatever springs to mind when you think of Queen Elizabeth II, news that she is confined to bed and under medical supervision, with family gathering at her home in Balmoral, Scotland, doesn’t bode well.

The 96-year-old sovereign has rarely put a foot wrong since she began her extraordinary reign in 1953 and has been a model of dignity and dedication to duty. “The wartime generation – my generation – is resilient”. Resilience is a quality her family will need in the coming days.

Wise words from Queen Elizabeth:

On courage

“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.” 

On work

“Work is the rent you pay for the room you occupy on earth.”

On success

“I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.”

On levity

“Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.”

On family

“Family does not necessarily mean blood relatives, but often a description of a community, organisation or nation.”

On grief

“Grief is the price we pay for love.”

On change

“It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.”

On happiness

“Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives.”

Main featured image and above via @theroyalfamily.