Queen Elizabeth II passes away aged 96
Realty were sad to hear the news of the 8th September 2022 that Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change. Queen Elizabeth II’s tenure as head of state spanned post-war austerity, the transition from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War and the UK’s entry into – and withdrawal from – the European Union.
In particular, within the Property Industry, the Queen was patron to many a charity and organisation that supported the very homes that many of us now reside in today.
Most notably, Her Majesty, was the longest serving patron of RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), and a keen patron of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).
The queen was also passionate about helping those more vulnerable members of society and therefore also supported the following property charities providing homes for the young, elderly, and those who had provided military service to the commonwealth:
- Haig Housing Trust
- Royal Benevolent and Educational Fund for Watermen and Lightermen
- Shaftesbury Homes and ‘Arethusa’
- YHA (England and Wales)
- YMCA England
In addition to this, the Queen wished to improve the neighbourhoods and open spaces of her subjects and was a patron of:
- Corporation of London’s Bridge House Estates Trust Fund’s Golden Jubilee Grants Scheme
- Fields in Trust – Organisation seeking to protect and improve playing fields and other recreational spaces in the UK.
- Royal Forestry Society
- The Campaign to Protect Rural England
Furthermore the Queens legacy to protect our country and homes, has resulted in her initiative of The Queen’s Green Canopy a network to encourage the planting of over a million trees, and to protect 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom in celebration of Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
Trees represent many of The Queen’s qualities – particularly strength & resilience. Trees provide shelter to life around them & enhance the natural environment, and certainly within the Property Industry she has made a significant positive mark.
We, like everyone, are so sorry for the loss of her Majesty the Queen. Our thoughts are with her family. An inspirational role model and an Icon.