Nile Gardiner: Queen Elizabeth ‘Embodies What Britain Is All About’

EXCERPT:

GARDINER: “You know, she -- she embodies what public service is all about. And that goes back to the days of World War II, when she was a volunteer, assisting Britain's military efforts. And you know, you mentioned, you know, her -- her speech upon, you know, becoming queen and talking about how she would dedicate her life to serving the British nation. And that -- that's what she's all about. You have to go back to the days of Winston Churchill actually, when -- when the Queen, you know, ascended to the throne. And, you know, she has led the British nation 70 years, seven decades, through tremendous times of challenge actually, and also the United Kingdom today faces immense economic challenges and energy crisis. So the British people look to the Queen for inspiration. She continues to give that. But her entire life has been lived for -- for her nation. And that kind of spirit of service selflessness sacrifice is absolutely incredible to -- to behold and remains just a huge inspiration for -- for the British -- for the British nation. So, she embodies what Britain is all about, really. You know, a truly great nation, great -- great people. And she embodies the -- you know, the spirit of -- of really selflessness, I think, which -- which is so incredibly -- incredibly important. And so, I'm just full of admiration for the queen but also today, sort of sadness but also hope that she will -- she will pull through this, that she will continue to -- to lead, and that's certainly I think, the hope of the British people at this -- this time.”