# Queen Elizabeth — Orlando character guide

> Queen Elizabeth in Orlando by Virginia Woolf.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Queen Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Betty

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

The aging queen who keeps a young nobleman close, indulges his poetry, and dies still clutching the memory of his face.

## Who they are

Elizabeth rules the opening world of the book, dispensing favor and jealousy in equal measure, and Orlando's boyish beauty earns him a place near her throne. Her attention is flattering and dangerous, a reminder that in this court love and power are the same currency. When she dies, she takes an entire era of Orlando's life with her, and the book begins its long slide through time.

## Relationships

### [Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_se/characters/orlando)

_romantic_

Queen Elizabeth becomes infatuated with the young Orlando, bestowing favors and affection with a possessive, almost maternal romantic interest.

### [Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_se/characters/orlando)

_romantic_

Queen Elizabeth becomes infatuated with the young Orlando, bestowing favors and affection with a possessive, almost maternal romantic interest.

### [Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_se/characters/orlando)

_romantic_

Queen Elizabeth becomes infatuated with the young Orlando, bestowing favors and affection with a possessive, almost maternal romantic interest.

## In the story

### [Orlando](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_se/chapters/orlando)

The aging queen who takes a liking to young Orlando and bestows favors upon him.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_se/chapters/i)

The aging Queen who kisses Orlando and later grants him a gift, seeing him as an innocent and charming youth.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned in Orlando's thoughts as a memory associated with love and the past.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_se/characters/queen_elizabeth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orlando_se/characters