In a surprising revelation, it has come to light that Queen Elizabeth II was once considered for the esteemed Nobel Peace Prize, yet she chose to decline the honor.
This information was shared by a senior member of the royal court, shedding light on the late monarch’s perspective regarding accolades.
The Queen, who passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, was approached about the possibility of receiving this prestigious award due to her significant contributions to the Commonwealth.
According to reports from The Daily Mail, her efforts in transforming and expanding this global association were recognized as noteworthy enough to merit nomination.
Despite the discussions surrounding her potential nomination, the reasoning behind her absence from the list of recipients seems straightforward—she simply wasn’t interested.
Typically, nominees are not consulted beforehand, but in this case, Commonwealth leaders sought guidance from Buckingham Palace multiple times.
Rather politely, they were informed that Her Majesty preferred to step aside.
“Thank you, but no thank you,” was the response relayed to those advocating for her nomination, as reported by The Daily Mail.
Back in 2018, there was a surge of support for the Queen to be recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize.
Political figures believed that her 66 years of dedicated service to the Commonwealth warranted such an acknowledgment.
Notably, she ultimately served an impressive 70 years on the throne before her passing.
The campaign gained momentum, with suggestions that her nomination would be discussed at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, led primarily by smaller member nations eager to honor her legacy.
Insiders indicated that discussions were taking place among high commissioners, all eager to push forward the idea of nominating the Queen.
The Commonwealth itself is a unique coalition of 56 independent nations, representing around 2.7 billion people worldwide.
Although its origins trace back to the British Empire, it now welcomes countries from all over the globe, including Gabon and Togo, who joined in 2022.
Today, King Charles III holds the title of head of the Commonwealth and recently attended the 2024 meeting in Samoa alongside Queen Camilla.
During the 2018 nomination campaign, Labour MP Frank Field was one of many supporters advocating for the Queen to receive the accolade.
He argued that her steadfast commitment to maintaining the Commonwealth’s vitality over the decades made her a fitting candidate for the prize.
In his words, if her dedication and diplomacy didn’t qualify her for the Nobel Prize, it was hard to imagine what could possibly suffice.
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to fostering fraternity among nations, reducing military forces, or promoting peace initiatives.
Amidst the discussions, The Guardian highlighted Queen Elizabeth’s “determined diplomacy” throughout her reign, calling her the “guiding spirit” of the Commonwealth.
Historian Ashley Jackson emphasized her role in nurturing relations amongst Commonwealth nations, showcasing her influence that often went unnoticed by the public.
Unfortunately, since Nobel Peace Prizes are not awarded posthumously, Queen Elizabeth is no longer eligible for this recognition.
Her humility and modesty were well-known traits; royal biographer Robert Hardman noted that her impact on the nation would only be fully appreciated after her passing.
Ultimately, the Queen represented a reassuring presence in the United Kingdom, embodying stability and continuity.
As Hardman eloquently put it, even in moments of uncertainty, the sight of the flag flying above Buckingham Palace offered a sense of security to the nation.
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