Queen Elizabeth II - a constant presence in the lives of the people of the UK and Commonwealth The Queen's role in public life was tightly choreographed and she often had to keep a straight face. But in her later years, she gave us a glimpse of her sense of humour. An example was in a speech to celebrate her 80th birthday when the Queen quoted Groucho Marx's dictum on ageing saying: "Anyone can get old; all you have to do is to live long enough". Posted: 220909 Remembering a smiling Queen Elizabeth II attending the Royal Windsor Horse Show. (Photo: BBC News) V8 Scottish Borders Tour 2022 - it is going ahead tonight and over the weekend with a two minute silence this evening in respect of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.