The Queen and her People

Available for over a year

As part of BBC World Service’s series of programmes marking the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Tuppence Middleton introduces a reflection – through contemporary contributions and many archive recordings – of the close relationship her subjects and people round the world had with the late monarch. From her earliest days, Her Majesty saw it as her duty to reach out to those who were in need. The victims of flood and disaster, conflict and – in her later years disease during the Covid pandemic all were offered Her Majesty’s kindness and compassion. But many of her encounters with the public were joyous, such as during her many royal tours and jubilee celebrations. And – given her ready wit and sense of irony – were often very amusing. With contributions from former Governor-General of Canada, David Johnston, former Speaker of the British House of Commons, Baroness Boothroyd, Admiral Lord West who was head of the Royal Navy and Lady Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Archive recordings by President Nelson Mandela, Sir Sridath Ramphal and many others tell the story of a lifetime of warm and reciprocal affection and compassion between The Queen and her People.