When our late sovereign was twenty-one years old she pledged herself to serve and invited her subjects to join and help her. She probably did not imagine how many the fiery trials she would have to endure, but she was most certainly aware that her reign would end and release would surely come. Humans tire, and the wise ones know when they have caught the vision of ultimate glory in the present, and when to throw in the towel.

Now you may dismiss

Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word;

Luke 2:29

nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine secundum verbum tuum in pace,

Secundum Lucam 2:29, Vulgate

I am sure that as she kept hitting benchmarks raising her head above her predecessors in various ways she must have said, as her strength waned, “Just one more, Lord”. Please allow me to fantasize that E👑R may well have ended her meeting with the latest UK Prime Minister with a “Lord, release me now”, considering how quickly her strength waned after that occasion.