Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, was a symbol of steadfast duty, tradition, and grace. Even in her later years, she maintained a structured daily routine that aligned closely with her natural rhythms, embodying the principles of a “body clock calendar.” Her disciplined approach to life, especially in her final years, underscores the importance of consistency and balance—a lesson that continues to resonate even after her passing in September 2022.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Daily Routine:
- 7:30 AM – Wake Up
- 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM – Drink Tea/Watch BBC News
- 8:30 AM – Breakfast with Prince Philip
- 9:30 AM – Read Correspondence
- 11:30 AM – Meet with Secretary about agenda for the day
- 12 PM – Lunch
- 1 PM – Work
- 2:30 PM – Walk in Palace Gardens
- 3 PM – Work
- 5 PM – Tea Time
- 6 PM – Work
- 7 PM – Dinner
- 8 PM – Relaxation
- 11 PM – Bedtime
Community Wellness
One of the Queen’s most important elements of her work was voluntary and public services. She had ties to over 600 charities and organizations, varying from international charities to local organizations. She strived to find togetherness with those she encounters within the organizations. She mentioned, “Doing small things with great love,” is the secret to happiness.
“I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighborliness.”
Self-Reflection
Lunch was usually spent alone unless the Queen is hosting friends or guests. Her children would periodically pop-in as well to have lunch with their mother. Living the life the Queen does, constantly hosting events, traveling, and attending at least a couple of hundred engagements per year, she used her lunch and walks in the Garden as her time for self-reflection.
“It’s nice to hibernate for a bit when one leads such a very movable life”
Connection To The Community
The Queen liked to start off her mornings by reading letters and correspondence from individuals across the globe. She received hundreds of letters a day and tries to get through as many as she can. “Luckily, I’m a quick reader, so I can get through a lot of reading in a short amount of time.”
“I like to see what people write to me.”
Another important aspect of the Queen and Royal Family’s connection with the public is honoring individuals with MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). The tradition was started by King George V in 1917 and continues on to this day.
Family & Downtime
When Queen Elizabeth II was not out in the public light, she loved to spend time with her family and do what “normal” people would do. Besides her daily walks in the Garden, the Queen used horse riding as one of her de-stressers. She started riding horses at the age of 4 and continued to do so on weekends as much as she can. She also kept up with the daily newspaper every morning, and did not forget to check the Racing Post section.
Additionally, in the evenings, she enjoyed dinner with Prince Philip and afterward, she got cozy, tuned in on the latest British television shows or worked on a jigsaw puzzle before she got ready for her beauty rest.
Final Years and Legacy
In her final years, Queen Elizabeth II faced several health challenges, yet she continued to fulfill her duties with remarkable grace. Her last public appearance was during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, where she appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, acknowledging the crowds that had gathered to celebrate her unprecedented reign.
After her passing on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle, tributes poured in from around the world, honoring her lifetime of service. The state funeral was a significant event, marking the end of an era and the beginning of King Charles III’s reign.
Queen Elizabeth II’s life serves as a powerful example of how a structured daily routine, aligned with one’s natural body clock, can support both physical and mental health, even into old age. Her legacy continues to inspire, reminding us of the importance of maintaining a balanced life through the rhythm of our daily activities.
Originally published April 20, 2017