Reflections

27 September, 2022

The majority of public-facing news related to the Queen’s activities over the past seven decades has, as is to be expected, revolved around state occasions or foreign diplomatic visits, often with a great deal of panoply and ceremony in tow. However, Queen Elizabeth was also, of course, a very active patron of many charities and professional foundations et al. One example germane to this journal and its readership is the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, which was introduced in 2013, This biennial event is now a well-established fixture in our industry calendar.

Lord Browne of Madingley FREng FRS, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation, comments that throughout her reign, Her Majesty has witnessed the profound impact that engineering developments have had on lives around the world, and her service. He adds that her admiration to what she termed a ‘noble profession’ has been unwavering. “We are proud to maintain the legacy of Her Majesty’s support to engineering by continuing not only to celebrate the greatest achievements in modern engineering, but also to encourage and inspire young people from across the world to follow their curiosity and take up the world’s toughest challenges as the engineers of tomorrow.”

Indeed, the Queen herself was actively involved in the world of mechanical engineering when, aged only 18, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a subaltern during the Second World War. By the end of the war, she had completed her course and was a fully qualified driver. Moreover, after Princess Elizabeth became Queen, she became the first reigning monarch to pilot a helicopter. Her Majesty even drove a tube train during the launch of the Victoria Line and opened many modern landmarks such as the Severn Bridge, Channel Tunnel and Diamond Light Source synchrotron facility.

Vanda Jones, executive director of the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS), comments: “As we share in the loss felt by our nation, the Commonwealth and others around the world, we also take the time to remember the wonderful example that Her Majesty set; unparalleled leadership and commitment throughout her reign. We can all draw on these positive traits in our own working lives, as we continue to pay tribute to her unwavering service. We send our heartfelt condolences to the new King and his family at this time.”

Ed McCann, president 2021-22 at Institution of Civil Engineers, states: “Her Majesty has been a reassuring constant in a fast-changing world where most of us have known her as our only sovereign. I know I speak for many thousands of civil engineers around the world when I pay tribute to her extraordinary contribution.”