I started working on this Queen Elizabeth illustration right after her historic rallying address to the British people on April 5, 2020. Amid the pandemic outbreak, her healing presence and leadership gave people in the UK, and all over the world, the courage needed to face these extraordinary times.
Queen Elizabeth II has shown the world, in a short and rare address, what leadership is truly made of. Compassion, empathy, faith, courage, and hope, are some of the layers embedded in her rare speech to the nation. Her words came to heal the detrimental blow dealt to the British people, and the world, by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a couple of weeks earlier!
Mid-March, Tory leader Boris Johnson, stood in stark contrast with Queen Elizabeth by spreading despair, fear, and panic. He used his microphone to announce that many more families in Britain will “lose loved ones before their time” from the pandemic.
Instead of holding everybody’s hand during this difficult time, he dunked his nation in an unprecedented panic, plunging many into depression and despair.
As a result, headline after headline on the BBC’s homepage were filled with despair and panic, that is, right until Queen Elizabeth decided to step in and give everyone a reassuring metaphorical hug.
Right after her address, the mood visibly changed, and more positive stories started to decorate the BBC’s homepage – featuring positive and uplifting tips on foods, DIY crafts, and podcasts to try during the lockdown.
This just goes to show that a good leader needs to have certain qualities in order to lead. Wisdom and insight, in addition to experience and self-discipline, are qualities Queen Elizabeth has plenty of. Those qualities are what make her an inspiration amid dark and uncertain times.
A Queen Elizabeth Illustration about a True Leader’s Ability to Inspire
In one single address, the Queen managed to inspire calm and courage in everyone who has watched her speak. The comments on one of the Royal Family’s YouTube channels had people from India, Italy, Egypt, and Germany to the United States and beyond, posting comments that chanted, “God save the Queen.”
Because even though she was speaking to her people, this matriarch was also addressing the whole world, united in a rare historic moment in its fight against an enemy that was race-blind.
“This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed – and that success will belong to every one of us,” she told the planet.
She gave people of every creed and walk of life a compass to live by and plenty of faith and hope, reassuring them that they have what it takes to brave these storms.
“Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it,” she said.
“… better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again….”
“We will meet again.”
Amen!
This Queen Elizabeth illustration and hand-lettering is by illustrator and artist Yaansoon. It’s part of the Illustrated Women Who Can blog series, featuring women portraits and illustrations of inspiring females who can teach us a lot about love and compassion amid adversity.
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