Girlguiding has always been at the Queen’s side

Queen Elizabeth was our patron from 1953. She was a Guide and Sea Ranger from 1937 to 1947 and supported guiding until she died.  

We’ve loved supporting the Queen throughout her long life, and we’re reflecting on the big moments we’ve been lucky to be a part of. 

In 1952, there was a Guide Coronation Tribute of Service, a special award made to celebrate the occasion. Every Brownie, Guide and Ranger tried to do something ‘useful, beautiful and gay’ and recorded it in a special Guide Coronation Tribute of Service envelope. After doing a Tribute of Service, members could wear the Guides’ Coronation badge for the year.  

And 32 Tribute of Service envelopes were even delivered to Buckingham Palace by eight Guides on 16 July 1952. 

The celebrations didn’t stop there! A special postcard was also made, showing the link the Queen had to guiding, and a Guide Coronation book was published with information about her time in Guides and Rangers. 

In 1977, to celebrate 25 years of the Queen’s rule, four Guide bands and one Scout and Guide band took in the British Youth Band Association’s Jubilee Parade on 25 September and lots of members met her as she visited different parts on the country. We also released a special pin and cloth badge with the Scouts to celebrate. 

The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Trust was also set up. It helped young people across the country access new things and Girlguiding members were able to go on day camps, a canal boat trip, a ten-day trip around Ulster, a theatre workshop in Scotland and take part in a playbus scheme in Sussex with its support. 

2002 brought the Queen's Golden Jubilee, with a cloth patch and metal badge. Lots of guiding members were involved in local and national celebrations, including street parties and special concerts. Some members were also involved in special 'tribute' challenges to mark the links between guiding and royalty. 

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 was marked with, for the first time since 1977, a joint badge between the Guides and Scouts. And in 2022, to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, Girlguiding took part in tree planting, beacon lighting, released three badges among other celebrations.  

And, most importantly, the Queen has always been part of guiding through the Promise. Our Promise links us to other Girlguiding members and the ten million people involved in guiding across the world and, as part of the Promise, we’ve always agreed to serve the Queen and our community. 

Remembering the Queen 

We are touched to have received donations in memory of the Queen. We now have a dedicated page where you can donate in the Queen’s memory and leave a message at the same time. Your gifts will go towards ensuring we are able to continue giving girls amazing opportunities.