The Ancient cry …
The Queen is dead…
God save the King - King Charles 111
A nation cries
There is a hush in the streets
Queen Elizabeth 11 HAS DIED
age 96 years
1926 – 2022
I am reminded of words of a song from Les Misérables ‘Empty Chairs and Empty Tables’
‘There’s a grief that can’t be spoken
A pain that goes on and on’
There’s a hush in England and all around the world as everyone contemplates a world without their beloved Monarch Queen Elizabeth 11
From the richness of the royal family to the lowly worker on the street, the grief is felt at home and around the world.
Her loved ones, her staff, the citizens in the street cry for their beloved Monarch, Queen Elizabeth the 11. They gather quietly in the streets, they lay bouquets of flowers, handwritten notes and cards, children offering a plush teddy bear, one child wanting to lay a Paddington Bear, another a soft toy, a Corgi.
The personal things that will affect her family and staff, the shock that her rooms are empty, her chair is vacant; they won’t see her walking the halls anymore.
Perhaps some may think they can still catch a glimpse of her and turn quickly and then remind themselves no, she’s not here anymore.
How does one lose that vision of someone who has been a constant in their lives all of their lives, someone they have loved, admired, served.
Our hearts go out to her family, all the riches, the pomp and ceremony they have lived with, all their royal privilege, does not shield them from this enormous loss in their lives.
The pressure they must feel, needing to show solidarity, strength of spirit for a nation, when they need time to grieve, to cry, to reminisce as a family.
The pressure in this grieving state of mind, as they need to be seen thinking of the mourners from royal staff to all the citizens of Britain who loved her as their Queen. Having to supply responses to world leaders that must be handled personally to allowing everyday Britons to express their sorrow and be involved in what is going on.
There is so much to talk about with the Queen. She was the Queen of an Empire, she was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was personable, everyone refers to her kindness, her tenacity in dealing with all matters, her dignity, her sense of humour.
Queen Elizabeth 11 was a lover of animals, her dogs and horses were a passion for her, she tended to many of them herself. She was still riding horses, until just a few years ago.
Ex Prime Minister Rudd, in an interview spoke about his visit, when he and his wife were having dinner with the Queen, his wife spoke up and said ‘can we see the dogs’ the Queen said ‘Oh the corgis?’ she pressed a button and corgis excitedly thronged into the dining room. Mrs Rudd remarked on one saying, ‘that one is quite different to the others’, the Queen responded by saying ‘Oh her mother was a complete trollop’
There was a brief article where she was sitting outside on a podium with officials obviously waiting for a military parade, with Boris Johnson, he was smiling and she smilingly said to him, ‘are we supposed to look like we are enjoying ourselves’, Boris responded ‘yes definitely’
Having her photograph taken with James Bond 007, she pointed to him and said ‘he’s the one that doesn’t smile’
Piers Morgan, spoke about his first meeting with her. Piers asked the Queen about her many garden parties. Piers asked her if she enjoyed the garden parties, the Queen replied ‘if you had 16,000 people treading all over your garden, how would that make you feel’. That great sense of humour always just under the surface.
People in general found Queen Elizabeth to be quite personable, always treating people with warmth and respect. People who were nervous at meeting her, often said they felt quite comfortable on leaving, she liked to make people feel at ease. Many articles have been written about her humorous quips, which helped make people feel at ease.
She was a hard worker, always displaying continuity and consistency. Her red box was always back on the secretary’s desk the next morning, even if she had to stay up late.
People referred to her as the mother of a Nation. Many of us can relate to how her family are feeling, mothers most often are the pivot, the centre of the family strength. Queen Elizabeth through all challenges and changes, remained stoic. Perhaps you have heard people say, her policy was ‘never complain, never explain’. She remained dignified in all circumstances.
After Prince Phillip died, one can only imagine the loss she felt, he was beside her through her reign as her husband and consort. Queen Elizabeth after his death, was said to express, that it was not just about her, she knew so many were experiencing and feeling the loss.
Queen Elizabeth was the longest serving Monarch in the world, besides a French King, who was appointed at the age of 4 years. She served and ruled for 70 years.
She kept her promise to serve her people. The day before she died, she accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson, and swore in the new Prime Minister Liz Truss.
There is so much to celebrate about her life. One commentator said she personified history.
King Charles in his speech to the Commonwealth and the world, expressed a heartfelt debt to the Queen, his mother, saying she was an example and inspiration all her life. He referred to her first speech as Queen, repeating her promise, whether her life be short or long, she pledged to devote her life to the service of the people. King Charles 111 went on to say that was more than a promise, it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She never wavered. Her values remained constant in the face of all the changes and challenges through the years.
King Charles’ 111 speech was sincere, he spoke professionally and lovingly about his mother’s love and duty to her people. He looked exhausted and sorrowful, saying that he and the royal family promised to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of their nation. He acknowledged that it’s not just his or his family’s grief but grief for all those who loved and revered his mother, Queen Elizabeth 11
He closed with
‘may flights of angels sing you to your rest’
.png?width=100&height=100&name=image%201%20(1).png)
