With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, it’s the end of an era. While the British monarchy (and its leader) have often been controversial, the queen has always been clear about her dedication to service in her role. Ahead, read eight of Queen Elizabeth II’s best quotes during her reign.

When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.

Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives.

We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.

Whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.

I believe that, young or old, we have as much to look forward to with confidence and hope as we have to look back on with pride.

No age group has a monopoly of wisdom, and indeed I think the young can sometimes be wiser than us. But the older I get, the more conscious I become of the difficulties young people have to face as they learn to live in the modern world.

It's worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.

Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones; my own is no exception.