The Royal Historical Society is profoundly saddened by news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen was the Patron of the Royal Historical Society and a supporter of its work for 70 years. The Society, past and present, is very grateful to the late Queen for this long and important association. Her Majesty’s death comes three months after the 150th anniversary of the granting of the Royal title to the Society by Elizabeth II’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. 

Elizabeth II’s reign spanned a momentous era in British, Commonwealth and world history, during which the Queen provided great constancy and coherence. Today’s sad news marks another significant moment in that history and in the private lives of many who mourn the loss of an individual and a connection with the past.

We are confident historians will serve an important and valued role in documenting, explaining and interpreting this week, and the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II, for present and future generations.

Professor Emma Griffin, President of the Royal Historical Society