Her Majesty The Queen

“We are deeply saddened at the news of the Queen’s death, and our thoughts are with her family, and particularly His Majesty The King. Her Majesty The Queen was Patron of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1961, when the Company was created.

“Her Majesty last visited us in Stratford-upon-Avon on 4 March 2011, to open formally the transformed Royal Shakespeare Theatre. This was a memorable day in the history of the RSC where she met and talked with members of the Company and those involved in the redevelopment and transformation of the theatre.

“It was a great pleasure for us to rehearse with HRH The Prince of Wales in preparation for his poetic tribute to his mother on her 90th birthday in 2016. We were honoured to be part of such a special moment. 

“Shakespeare’s Henry VIII contains a prophecy by Archbishop Cranmer about the baby princess Elizabeth I:

She shall be, to the happiness of England,
An aged princess; many days shall see her,
And yet no day without a deed to crown it.

“Translated to our times, Elizabeth II sought the happiness of England with her steadfast service, certainly lived many days, and did a great deed on every one.”