Press Releases

Strength and dignity – Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II

Friday 09 September 2022
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He kotuku rerenga tahi A white heron flies once.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. We mourn an extraordinary monarch of strength and integrity.

In her undeviating devotion to duty, her stoicism, dignity and extraordinary resolve, the Queen demonstrated stability and continuity, mingled with compassion and a sense of humour. What will remain for us is the imprint of a great woman, with a huge love of life and a wide and inclusive vision for the changing role she played.

Queen Elizabeth II mirrored her husband’s devotion to developing the young people of the world. Along with HRH, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s, youth development programme (the Award), she started her own Queen’s Young Leader Award, awarded to selected exceptional people or organisations who are making a difference in improving other citizen’s lives. She believed “the Commonwealth can only flourish if its ideas and ideals continue to be young and fresh and relevant to all generations.” She was immensely proud of what her husband had achieved for young people, adding it was one of his “greatest life achievements.”

She was respected and admired, and we collectively express respect for her majesty, the Queen, as we recognise her life and our sorrow with her passing. The loss of Queen Elizabeth II is profound, and our hearts go out to her whanau. We all share their loss and send our love and thoughts. Individuals with such a deep commitment to the collective are rare.

Even though she has passed, the legacy of her accomplishments continues. We acknowledge the ascension of HRH, King Charles III who, with his personal commitment and passion for the environment and youth will ensure the valuable work begun by his parents persists.

Ka aroha hoki, ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou,

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award.

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For further information and comment, please contact:

Karen Ross, National Director
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +64 27 645 6696