Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as Britain’s longest reigning monarch. As YHA’s Patron, The Queen recognised our achievements and contribution to society.
Her legacy will last forever
The Queen’s legacy of involvement in the youth hostelling movement will last forever. Her Majesty officially opened five youth hostels, most recently our youth hostel in South Downs in 2013, and throughout her reign helped YHA develop with her patronage. Her visits were always a great event, the first being in 1959. A 33-year-old Queen Elizabeth II opened the King George VI Memorial Hostel at Holland Park, London.
‘Children greeted her arrival with cheers. She looked over the outside of the hostel before speeches and formalities, flowers, curtsies and a tour of the hostel. Richard Schirrmann, the German schoolteacher who invented youth hostels was there and YHA’s chairman, Arthur Dower, presented The Queen with an album of photographs of hostels and the Duke of Edinburgh accepted a present of two rucksacks for the Prince of Wales and Princess Anne.’
Taken from Open to All – How youth hostels changed the world by Duncan M Simpson.
“Here in the middle of the capital, the young of all nations can meet,” The Queen says, before unveiling a plaque in the hostel’s dining room. “Here they may learn that mutual understanding and trust, for the lack of which their elders have so often and so bitterly suffered.”
The hostel goes on to remain part of the YHA family for more than 55 years. And she returned to the hostel for a second visit in 1980, for YHA’s golden jubilee celebrations.
HRH Opens YHA Thameside 1993
The Queen opened Rotherhythe Youth Hostel, which is now called YHA London Thameside, in 1993. YHA life member and writer of two histories of YHA, Lindsey Porter remembers,
“Whilst The Queen was there, she went behind the counter… Her hands came down on the counter and in a loud voice she said with a smile words to the effect of:
‘Are any of you staying the night? Are you all members? Are you having meals or are you cooking your own?’”
The opening of YHA South Downs 2013
In October 2013, Queen Elizabeth II – now a great-grandmother – went to Sussex to unveil the brand new YHA South Downs. The Queen looked resplendent in bright pink and visited the site’s camping pods before she unveiled a plaque outside the YHA South Downs café to mark the occasion.
A celebration lunch for YHA volunteers 2016
For her 90th birthday, 10,000 people were invited to a street party on Sunday 12th June 2016 to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations. Ten of YHA’s young volunteers were invited to enjoy a hamper-style lunch at tables positioned along the full length of The Mall. Her Majesty The Queen was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family to celebrate the occasion.
End of an era
James Blake, Chief Executive of YHA, was invited to The Queen’s funeral.
“It was a huge honour to represent YHA. There was an amazing sense of occasion at this once in a lifetime event. The service was both moving and personal. It really was quite something when the procession entered the abbey. On reflection, there is a universal sense of respect for The Queen around the world and it’s the end of era for the country.”
To many, The Queen has been a source of comfort and stability throughout the non-stop change of life. Her Majesty has dedicated her life to serving the country and her strong sense of community united people across the world – the positive difference she has made is immeasurable. The interest she took in our work and in the development of young people who stay with us was long-standing and of great benefit. Her Majesty was a true champion of our charity and of youth hostelling in the UK.
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