The day started dreary. After a very hot summer, the rain seemed a relief but by noon, the mood was not so much dictated by the weather but the breaking news from Buckingham Palace that senior members of the family were on their way to Balmoral.
We were worried and hoped that The Queen would pull through. A few hours later at 6.30pm, the announcement was made.
Thousands had gathered outside the various royal palaces and residences to pay their respects and to take in the significance of the news.
“As the Union Jack was lowered to half mast over Windsor Castle and at Buckingham Palace, an incredible rainbow appeared over the castle, for a few minutes and then just like that it was gone ….” (royal photographer Chris Jackson)
The colourful arches served as a bright spot on the otherwise sad day, and, to some, a cheerful nod to the late Queen herself, who was well-known over the course of her 70 year reign for her affection for bold, colourful ensembles.
We could only think of her crossing the bridge and meeting not just the Duke but all her corgis and dorgis.
And a moving tribute as black cabs lined up silently on The Mall to pay their respects.
It was only three months ago when we celebrated her Jubilee reign. We wanted to be a part of it because we knew, though unspoken, it would be the last of its kind. It was an emotional finale to the four day celebration as the Queen made an appearance on the palace balcony. The crowd sang the national anthem in great gusto. They applauded again and again. She must know then how loved she was.
But today, our one constant is no more.
Thank you. For a life of extraordinary selflessness. You dedicated your whole life to serving the nation. And for 75 years you honoured that promise.
May’s comment: Sad, heartbreaking news.
Boris Johnson’s eloquent tribute to The Queen expresses a lot of the emotions:
“This is our country’s saddest day. In the hearts of every one of us there is an ache at the passing of our Queen, a deep and personal sense of loss – far more intense, perhaps, than we expected.
“In these first grim moments since the news, I know that millions and millions of people have been pausing whatever they have been doing, to think about Queen Elizabeth, about the bright and shining light that has finally gone out.
“She seemed so timeless and so wonderful that I am afraid we had come to believe, like children, that she would just go on and on.
“Wave after wave of grief is rolling across the world, from Balmoral – where our thoughts are with all the Royal family – and breaking far beyond this country and throughout that great Commonwealth of nations that she so cherished and which cherished her in return.
“It is only really now that we grasp how much she meant for us, how much she did for us, how much she loved us.
“As is so natural with human beings, it is only when we face the reality of our loss that we truly understand what has gone.”
“As we think of the void she leaves, we understand the vital role she played, selflessly and calmly embodying the continuity and unity of our country.
“We think of her deep wisdom, and historic understanding, and her seemingly inexhaustible but understated sense of duty.
“Relentless though her diary must have felt, she never once let it show, and to tens of thousands of events – great and small – she brought her smile and her warmth and her gentle humour – and for an unrivalled 70 years she spread that magic around her kingdom.
“This is our country’s saddest day because she had a unique and simple power to make us happy. That is why we loved her.
“That is why we grieve for Elizabeth the Great, the longest-serving and – in many ways – the finest monarch in our history.
“It was one of her best achievements that she not only modernised the constitutional monarchy, but produced an heir to the throne who will amply do justice to her legacy, and whose own sense of duty is in the best traditions of his mother and his country.
“Though our voices may be choked with sadness, we can still stay with confidence the words not heard in this country for more than seven decades.
“God Save The King.”
2 Responses
A very sad day indeed. I was three almost four when King George VI died so barely remember him. I do however remember watching the coronation of Queen Elizabeth on a tiny little black and white TV at a relatives house, they were the only ones who could afford a TV in those days. The world has just lost a most remarkable woman. I do hope Australia does not become a republic. We will never get that level of commitment from any one else. As she said herself a job for life. RIP your majesty, a job well done.❤️❤️
She was more than a Queen. She was a remarkable person who took her job seriously but she didn’t take herself seriously.