As the world mourns the death today (September 8) of Queen Elizabeth II, Our Today takes a moment to look back at The Crown, the Netflix series that increased the already widespread discussion around the Royal Family, and what we can learn about the British Monarchy.

At the head of the family was the Queen, Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years. There are some of us who believe she is one of the best monarchs the world has ever seen and the embodiment of the best of Britain.

Our Today brings you some things we can learn from Elizabeth II. May her soul rest in peace.

1. Keeping your oath

At the age of 21, the Queen made an oath in South Africa which she kept for over 70 years. How many of us are capable of this? It speaks volumes for her character.

“My whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.

“But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow. Good bless all of you who are willing to share in it.”

There can be no doubt that she has kept her vow. She has kept faith with Britain and Britain has kept faith with her.

2.  Being devoted

The Queen’s devotion to country and family was indisputable, remaining so for the better part of a century. The entire world knew where her heart lay. The Queen was committed, all-in and focused for decades. Her perseverance was an admirable trait.

Here’s what she had to say about this: “I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice, but I can do something else – I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.”

3. Keep calm and carry on

There is nobody who embodied this phrase more so than The Queen. Always serene, never flustered even in the face of danger.

During 1981’s Trooping the Colour ceremony, six shots were fired at The Queen from close range as she rode down The Mall in London on her horse. She exhibited composure, controlling her mount and did not get unsaddled. Many would have panicked and cowered – not Her Majesty.

“We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.”

4. Trust is a two-way street

Trust is an important compass to be guided by, but it has to be earned and given. It would not be wrong to say that the British people, indeed the world trusted the Queen because she proved to be worthy of it consistently over a long period of time

“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.”

5. Working together for the common good

The Queen subscribed to the benefits of teamwork, pulling together to get things done.

Here what she has said on this subject: “I know of no simple formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insight, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.”

Here she is again on sharing the load: “The lessons from the peace process are clear, whatever life throws at us, our individual resources will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.”

6. Having a sense of humour

Although the Queen does have a regal disposition, she does have a sense of humour and cracks a smile and makes a quip during lighter moments.

Check out her iconic sketch with Daniel Craig as James Bond directed by Danny Boyle for the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games in London during her Diamond Jubilee Year.

“Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom.”

7. Living by Christ’s teachings

The Queen gleaned so much from the teachings of Jesus Christ and looks to apply them in her life.

She was the head of the Church of England which has Christ at its centre but for her, his teachings have more significance than simply in the context of her being both heads of state and church.

“To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me, the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.”

8. Sometimes you have to show steel and kick ass

Her Majesty was fully aware of the hardships of life and what it takes to confront it. The world can be a cold and unforgiving place and you have to be on your guard.

“The world is not the most pleasant place. Eventually, your parents leave you and nobody is going to go out of their way to protect you unconditionally. You need to learn to stand up for yourself and what you believe and sometimes, pardon my language, kick some ass!”

9. Longevity

The Queen was the world’s longest-serving monarch, who surpassed the reigns of both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth I. At the time of her death at age 96, she had reigned for 70 years.

She was the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch. She was the longest-serving female head of state in world history and the world’s oldest living monarch, longest-reigning current monarch and oldest and longest-serving Head of State.

This is remarkable. Her consistency was admirable.

10. A good example to the family

The Queen was the head of the House of Windsor and what a head she was. Through all the crises she remained constant and steadfast.

Her sister, the late Princess Margaret led a tempestuous life with a messy divorce.

The Queen saw three of her four children’s marriages dissolve and the details splashed across the media. The death of Princess Diana, Prince Harry deciding to leave England to live in America with Meghan Markle, her uncle’s abdication have were testing family moments.

Through it all, she remained unbowed and provided solace and counsel.

On family life, she was sanguine. “Like all best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.”

The notion of family was not all about blood to Her Majesty – it went wider than that and encompassed recognition of the collective.

“Family does not necessarily mean blood relatives, but often a description of a community, organisation or nation.”

11. The best of womanhood

The English monarchy has had some of its best periods under queens with Elizabeth II perhaps being the most outstanding.

Some of the extremities and most bizarre events of royal rule have been under the likes of Henry VIII, George III, Henry VI, Edward II, George IV, James II and Edward VIII.

None of these kings exhibited Elizabeth II’s temperance and equanimity.

Care, compassion and the ability to do the right thing are qualities subjects look to in their monarchs.

These were hallmarks of Elizabeth II’s long reign.

You see her point when she says: “It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the hard progress of mankind.”

12. Work and courage

The Queen was a believer in hard work and training and sees both as virtuous; nothing is accomplished without them.

As she put it, “Work is the rent you pay for the room you occupy on earth.”

During the war, she trained as a mechanic and it is said she knows her way under the hood of a Land Rover Defender. On the importance of training, she once said: “It’s all to do with the training: you can do a lot if you’re properly trained.”

It takes courage to persevere, to endure hardships and prepare for a better tomorrow. The Queen was a woman of fortitude and resolve. Her official royal coat of arms bears an image of a lion symbolising courage and strength.

“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future,” said Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.