Despite her age, the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II came as a shock to many people. Throughout her life, Her Majesty was committed to leading a good example in many different aspects. But what can we learn from the Queen when it comes to financial planning?
“I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice. But I can do something else. I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.”
Queen Elizabeth II first televised Christmas broadcast in 1957
Dignity – “Keep calm and carry on.”
Whether you’re a royalist or not, there’s no denying that the Queen led a dignified life. Her Majesty faced huge challenges, where she was often unable to pass comments or give an opinion. From active duty in WWII to words of comfort in the pandemic, “we will meet again,” Queen Elizabeth was present through recessions, conflicts, disasters, and wars. She held audiences with 15 UK Prime Ministers and hundreds of leaders from across the Commonwealth.
Dignity underpins best practice for financial planning. An ethical financial planner will respect their clients’ choices and not force them to make decisions. Providing advice and counsel, they must be able to calmly guide and navigate their clients through difficult times, economically or from a personal perspective.
Trust – “Devoted to your service.”
The strong relationship between the Queen and her subjects and her devotion to her husband, Prince Phillip, came down to trust. The Queen’s reassuring presence is one of the reasons her passing affected so many mourners. And it was the Duke of Edinburgh who the Queen turned to for her own source of support. He was a constant, unwavering presence until he died in 2021, “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years.”
Similarly, without a level of trust, you cannot develop a conducive relationship with your financial planner. We are there to guide you when you face some of the biggest decisions in your life. As your “trusted confidant,” we provide peace of mind and reassurance, so you can prepare for those big life events and make important decisions.
Reflection – “There are lessons to be drawn.”
Every Christmas since 1952, we have listened to the Queen make her annual speech. In fact, many of us will have probably timed our Christmas dinners to ensure we could watch this annual tradition. The purpose of this speech is to reflect on the past year and to encourage people to share gratitude for what they have in their lives.
When it comes to your own life and finances, an annual review enables you to check in on your goals. Reflection is the key to ensuring you can achieve your aspirations. As your financial planner, we’ll carry out a financial review with you each year. We will look at whether we need to make any changes to your plan so you can stay on track.
Longevity – “Continuing to serve you with all my heart.”
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrated the longest-living British monarch in history. And Her Majesty’s sense of duty never wavered, even in her final days. The Queen’s measured approach and attitude were never self-limiting. Her Majesty taught us to approach our golden years positively and constructively rather than just “getting old” and giving up on life.
Queen Elizabeth II lived until age 96, and on average, life expectancies in the UK are increasing. So, planning for the long term is essential, even if you’re still in your twenties and thirties. Think about what you would like to achieve both now and in later life. Creating a financial plan today will help you to achieve your aspirations tomorrow.
If you would like a financial review, please get in touch to speak to our financial planners.
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/notable-quotes-britains-queen-elizabeth-2022-09-08/
https://blueskyifas.co.uk/what-queen-elizabeth-ii-can-teach-you-about-good-financial-planning/
