Our Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, died at her Scottish home – Balmoral Castle – on Thursday 8th September 2022. She was ninety six years old.

In British history, no monarch reigned longer than Queen Elizabeth II. She was respected, admired, and loved by more people than one might imagine. Our nation mourns her passing.

The Queen of Scots, Balmoral 2010
The Queen of Scots, Balmoral 2010

Thousands of people lined the paths, streets, motorways, and bridges as her cortege took her coffin, draped in the Royal Standard, from Balmoral to Edinburgh, via Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth, just to catch a glimpse of her as she went past.

The Queen's cortege on the M90, near Glenfarg
The Queen’s cortege on the M90, near Glenfarg, Perthshire.
Copyright David P McCarthy Photography 2022

Her body lay in state in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and people queued overnight to file past her coffin. After her coffin was flown to RAF Northolt, in England, and subsequently transported to Buckingham Palace, it was then ceremoniously moved from the Palace to Westminster Hall atop a gun carriage, followed by members of her family walking along the Mall. Thousands of people lined the streets, applauding or crying as she went past. As I write this, her body lies in state in Westminster Hall, in London, and the British are displaying one of their trademark characteristics to extremes – the ability to queue. Currently, the queue to file past the Queen’s body and pay respect is over four and a half miles long and taking eleven hours before one gets to walk past her coffin, sat on the catafalque.

But what exactly was it about the Queen that has lead to this national outpouring of grief? Let’s investigate a little…

At ninety-six years old, the Queen had simply “been around” i.e. alive, for pretty much all of most people’s lives. She had been a constant presence. Her picture was frequently in the newspapers and she was often on the television or the radio – whether that was on the news, documenting her frequent travels around the Commonwealth and to other countries, or at British ceremonial occasions such as Royal weddings or the annual laying of a wreath at the Cenotaph in London, in remembrance of those who died in the wars, fighting for our country. She was always present for the annual State Opening of Parliament, when she would read out a long list of what her government intended to do during the next Parliamentary session. Every Christmas, she would record an address to the nation that was broadcast on the television, always at 3pm on Christmas Day, 25th December. In fact, many families would arrange their Christmas around the tradition of watching the Queen that afternoon.

Although the Queen was apolitical, every PrimeMinister would value his weekly private audience with her. He or she would have the freedom, in private, to vent their frustrations and problems to her and she would, very carefully, pass on her thoughts and guidance, or perhaps be inquisitive or challenge them, in a way that each of them valued very highly.

The Queen was famous for her diplomacy and, perhaps due to the huge extent of her worldwide travels and meetings with world leaders of so many different countries, in a better position than almost anyone else to pass intelligent comment on the many and varied situations that leaders of countries often found themselves in.

Throughout this, she was supported by her husband, Prince Phillip, who was nearly always there to be her comfort and stay.

The Queen walks past her husband, giggling, as he is dressed in his uniform as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards 2003
The Queen walks past her husband, giggling, as he is dressed in his uniform as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards 2003

Her Majesty was known to have a very good sense of humour which might come out at the most unsuspecting of moments. Once, when inspecting a line of soldiers, she reached the last man in the line and asked, “How long have you served?” to which the reply came back, “27 years, M’aam”. The Queen’s immediate reply, “Yes – it looks like it!”, referring to the lines on his middle-aged face!

Our Queen was also quite happy to “perform” when required. At Balmoral, she and Prince Phillip would often take on the role of servants, making the tea or cooking at the barbeque for their guests. The Queen also, famously, made a short film with James Bond for the London Olympics in 2012. On another occasion, she had tea with Paddington Bear, and was seen putting a marmalade sandwich in her handbag, “for later”!

The Queen in Buckingham Palace with James Bond (Daniel Craig) and a corgi, in a short film made for the Olympic Games in London 2012
The Queen in Buckingham Palace with James Bond (Daniel Craig) and a corgi, in a short film made for the Olympic Games in London 2012

Queen Elizabeth II dedicated her life to being of service to our country, straight from the moment she became Queen. She remained faithful to her promise, right to the end.

Put very simply, the Queen was our nation’s “favourite granny” and we shall miss her.

Long live the King!

The Death of our Queen

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