The Queen is Dead. Long Live The King (that's still going to take some getting used to.)
What a year!
I cannot think of a single year in my life when living in London has been so historical. We have had a Prime Minister ousted, brought down by scandal. It was only a few months ago when decorated soldiers marched, gilded horses trotted, and trumpeters blew their horns as I, plus hundreds of thousands of others, surrounded Buckingham Palace to pay tribute to the Queen's 70-year reign. A milestone not reached by any other British monarch.
But the mood was sombre as Londoners of all nationalities gathered around the palace again this week. The immense crowd quietly and slowly unfurling like a giant Union Jack along the Mall as people came to lay flowers, sign condolence books, and pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8, 2022.
I know many are sad, and of course, death is sad. But it's interesting when a public figure dies, the outpouring of grief, mainly from those who have never known or little lone met her. When Princess Diana died, I was tragically upset, distraught, as the world and I mourned this young royal and single mother.
But Queen Elizabeth's death was not tragic. It, like the woman herself, was almost perfect. In fact, if I could, I'd sign up for exactly how she exited this planet. At the age of 96, at home, having no apparent illness that ravaged her body or erased her mind, having worked at a job she loved until just days before she died, and surrounded by her family, beloved dogs and those she loved. Yup, let me go out like that.
As I write this, I have just returned from seeing the Queen lying in State in Westminster Palace. It took me over 6 hours in a line that stretched 3 miles. And as I understand, this weekend will be even longer with an estimated queue of ten miles, snaking along the streets of London, people waiting…as long as it takes…to pay their respects to an extraordinary woman they have never met.
As we all get used to the word King, new titles, new currency and postage stamps, and reworked lyrics to a national anthem, I reflect on the incredible woman that reigned over a nation for longer than most have been alive. I mean, 4 out of 5 Brits were not even born when she took the throne, to put this into perspective.
So, as we say goodbye to someone most have never known but all will never forget, I wanted to share with you a few lessors known facts about Queen Elizabeth so that you have some clearer idea just why there will never be another quite like Her Majesty.
She was a mechanic and truck driver during WWII. Making her the first female member of the royal family to serve in the military.
The Queen purchased the material for her wedding dress with WWII ration coupons.
She was related to her late husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as both were the great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria, making them third cousins.
Her reign covered over 14 different US Presidents. She had over 30 Corgis. 260 official overseas trips and has travelled to more than 100 countries, with Canada ranking number one with 22 visits. And the Queen didn't need a passport to travel to any of them, nor did she have a driver's license. She didn't legally require one.
She reportedly used her purse that she always carried to send secret signals to her staff.
The Queen could speak fluent French.
The difference from the birthdate of the first Prime Minister she served, Winston Churchill, to her last Prime Minister, Liz Truss, was over 101 years.
As the nation/world says goodbye to Queen Elizabeth, it is unlikely, based on the royal line of ascension, that the world will see another British Queen for generations. But regardless of how you feel about the monarchy, one could be sure that there have been few who have done so much, for so long, for so many.
I feel fortunate that I took the time, all those hours, for a single, silent moment to gently bow my head in front of her draped coffin, surrounded by various royal guards, their heads too bowed low.
Thank you for your service M'am.
