Queen Elizabeth II – the second-longest reigning monarch in history – has passed away at the age of 96.
As her family, and the rest of the world, mourns the loss, we look back on all the times our Queen broke down barriers and sidestepped traditions, taking the monarchy into the 21st century. While the Queen famously put her duty before all else, she was also known to break with convention and modernise protocol where she saw fit. This was just one of the things that contributed to her immense popularity and respect among those who knew her, and those who admired her from afar.
Here are all the best examples of Queen Elizabeth II breaking traditions, for you to reflect on at this sad time.
She's Britain’s third woman prime minister.
Joining the military
During her time as a Princess, Elizabeth served in the Armed Forces, becoming the first female royal to do so. She worked within the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service, and learned how to fix truck engines.
Talking about politics
All royals are discouraged from discussing political events, in an effort to keep the monarchy neutral. However, in her time, the Queen left some choice words on the record about certain political news – breaking tradition as she did so.
For example, she made a plea for “respect and the seeking of common ground” when tensions from the result of the Brexit referendum first surfaced, she reportedly "purred down the line" to David Cameron at the news of the Scots voting against independence and disagreed with Margaret Thatcher's handling of South Africa's apartheid issues.
She called Thatcher's refusal to impose sanctions on South Africa “uncaring, confrontational and socially divisive”.
Authorising a Ceremonial Funeral for Princess Diana
While she may have initially suggested a private funeral for Princess Diana – as she was no longer technically a member of the Royal Family after divorcing Prince Charles – the Queen broke tradition and authorised the ceremonial funeral that Charles and so many members of the public wanted, in order to fully mourn the loss of the People's Princess.
Starting the Walkabout Tradition
During her 1970 tour of Australia and New Zealand, the Queen knew that the way in which she interacted with the public needed to change, and started streetside meet and greets with locals. This indicated a departure from tradition, which involved members of the Royal Family being much more removed from locals and ‘commoners’ when they visited Commonwealth countries or various parts of the UK.
Appointing all of Kate & William's children as HRHs
According to royal protocol, only the eldest child of William and Kate's children – Prince George – was eligible to be a Prince (and a HRH). In 2013, the Queen signed a decree that allowed all of the children to be Princes and Princesses – without this action, Charlotte and Louis would've been a Lady and Lord, respectively.
Telling William to take control of his own wedding guest list
It's a tale as old as time – every family member wants in on who you invite to a wedding.
When Buckingham Palace handed Prince William and Kate a list of 777 people to invite to their 2018 nuptials, we wonder if it might have given them a bit of a shock. It is reported that the Queen gave her two cents not long after this, telling her grandson to rip up and make his own list. What a legend.
Allowing members of the royal family to marry divorcees
A tricky one. Tradition stated that members of the British Royal Family could not marry a divorced person, which prohibited Prince Charles from marrying Camilla Parker-Bowles, initially. Until 2002, when the Church of England started permitting it, allowing Charles and Camilla to marry.
After this, the Queen consented to Prince Harry marrying Meghan Markle – who was also divorced. This set a much more modern precedent.
Telling Michelle Obama that protocol was "rubbish"
After melting our hearts by breaking protocol and hugging Michelle Obama back, the Queen also threw caution to the wind during the Obamas' visit by calling the rules “rubbish”.
In an interview, Michelle Obama described her anxiety at being picked up in the Queen's car, trying to remember where she should sit and what she should touch. She was apparently told by the Queen to “sit wherever”, and when they hesitated about protocol, she reportedly said: “Oh it's all rubbish, just get in”.
Inviting Meghan Markle to Christmas before she married Harry
Embracing modern attitudes to relationships and festive breaks, the Queen invited Meghan Markle to Sandringham – her private estate in Norfolk – to spend Christmas with her and the rest of the Royal Family, before she had married Prince Harry.
At this point, Meghan was engaged but not married – this indicates a break in tradition, as usually only husbands or wives of family members are invited.
