20+ Things We'll Miss Most About Queen Elizabeth

Her achievements were many, her devotion to duty was unrivaled, and her dark sense of humor won our hearts. These are only a few of the reasons why Queen Elizabeth II will be missed the world over. The British monarch lived a remarkable life, one marked by social change, political upheaval, and in her own case, an unexpected crown. And as we look back on her life, we can't help but think about all the things — well-known and otherwise — that made this head of state one of a king.

1. Her dedicated military service

If there's one word that defined Elizabeth’s reign, it's "dedicated." But her sense of duty was instilled in her long before she became Queen. She was a teenage princess when World War II broke out, but her young age and privileged status didn't stop her from joining the Women's Auxiliary Territory Service (ATS) as an auto mechanic. At a stroke, she swapped her fancy dresses for oil-stained jumpsuits.

2. Her willingness to break barriers

Elizabeth was thrilled to contribute to the war effort, and it wasn't long before she rose the ranks to become Junior Commander of the ATS. But her working as an auto mechanic was one of the last things expected of a sheltered royal — and a woman at that! Her service endeared her to the public as a genuinely hard-working royal. What's more, Elizabeth had the distinction of being the first female member of the royal family to serve in the military.

3. Her dedication to her studies

As you'd expect, Elizabeth was very well educated, but when her father unexpectedly became king in 1936, her studies took an intense turn. Instead of delving into biology and geometry, she studied constitutional history and law, which undoubtedly served her well when she became Queen. She also studied music, German, and French, and became fluent in the last of these. Impressive!

4. Her recognizable voice

Elizabeth prioritized being a visible — and audible — member of the royal family, even as a teenager. Something as simple as speaking on the radio for a few minutes made her feel more accessible to the public. The more people heard her speak, the more she felt like one of them. They not only familiarized themselves with the young princess’ voice, but they felt comfortable with her, which ended up being a vital part of her success as a monarch.