Farewell Your Majesty
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was today laid to rest at Windsor Castle following a moving state funeral at Westminster Abbey. The second Elizabethan age has now formally ended.
When it comes to putting on a ceremony to mark such a momentous occasion the British do it as well as anyone and better than most. It's great to be part of such an occasion which unites people, which is something that the Queen has done throughout her life.
There are a few detractors of the Royal Family in the UK but over the past 11 days they have been largely silenced as the nation paid its respect to a dignified, respected and much loved monarch.
All Chuches, like this one near my home, have had their flags flying at half mast since the Queens death and it has been fascinating speaking with people about their personnel memories of Her Majesty. Books of Condolence have been laid out up and down the nation for people to write their own messages in.
In a world which is often polarised and divided by differences, it has been wonderful to have an event which has been unifying, regardless of ones politics, religion, race, beliefs or anything else.
I thought it was great to see so many world leaders and noteworthy people from all sorts of different places and backgrounds at her funeral. A friend of mine has a son in the Metropolitan Police, by far the biggest police force in the UK. It's been a logistical nightmare for them with huge crowds and hundreds of foreign dignitaries and heads of state all coming to London at the same time.
It will be interesting to see how king Charles now takes the mantle from his mother, it's a tough act to follow!
On a personal note I am saddened at the death of the Queen, I swore allegiance to her when I joined the British Army in 1985 and she is the only sovereign I have ever known. She was a wonderful ambassador around the world for Britain and a great role model for anyone in any form of service. Her sense of duty was inspirational.
Rest In Peace Your Majesty. Long Live The King.
Recent Comments
45
What a lovely post, Rick. So well said. It is terribly sad to see her gone now, and only time will tell with how Charles handles things. The queen was incredible and we will never see anyone like her again. On a side note, I can't imagine how difficult the security situation must have been.
Susan
Thanks Susan, it is sad to see her gone but I believe it will be remembered as a good thing that she remained active until her death rather than fading away.
The security situation stretched resources to the limit in London, it was described as like having over a couple of hundred state visits all at the same time!
Rick
it is sad, the end of an era but change is also good.
She was elderly and had lost her husband of many years which, i think, took the heart out of her.
Charles has waited a long time to step up but I think he will find it hard at his age.
It is sad Linda and one of life's certainties is that things will change.
Philip dying last year did hit her hard, they had been married since 1948; wow!
We'll see how Charles does, I think he'll do ok but starting such a high-profile role in ones 70s can't be easy.
Rick
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll was a wonderful woman who is sadly missed.
I watched her Funeral Service last night until about 3.00 am this morning. I didn't see the lowering of the casket into the vault as the service in which that took place had not commenced and it just seemed time to shut down the TV and get some sleep.
She was indeed a wonderful woman Valerie and active in her duties to the very end.
Watching the procession and funeral service yesterday was a moving experience and made me feel proud to be British.
Rick
Thanks so much, Tina for those links. I greatly appreciate your kindness in sending them to me.
I watched the Queen's Funeral this morning through our CBC National News broadcast at 8:00 am. I grew up in schools singing O Canada and God Save Our Queen. Watching the TV broadcast put closure in it all for me. I also followed the Royal Family posts through Facebook. The grieving process has just begun for their family, and will take a long slow process.
Thanks for your comments Denise and I felt for the family over the past 11 days. Being under the intense spotlight of the world's media at a time of grieving must be unimaginably difficult.
Hopefully, they can begin their private grieving process.
Rick
You are correct, she was a great role model. Now tomorrow, everything will go back to normal for everyone. The service was amazing and I was surprised at the lowering of the casket in the vault that will be raised along with her husband to be laid to rest later privately with just family watching.
She was a great role model Jannette and for so many people. Mothers, parents, women, leaders and ordinary people. She was much loved and universally respected.
I think it's nice that the family get a little privacy to say a final farewell as they've had the world media watching them closely for 11 days now.
Rick
She certainly will be sorely missed. The Queen was loved throughout the Commonwealth and the world. Here in Australia my wife and I watched the funeral on Television. We sat through about six hours of the procession , it ended around 2:30 am our time . Boy are we tired today, but I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Jim
Thanks, Jim. I too watched the ceremony and I was amazed at how quickly the time went.
I thought it was a fitting tribute to a great stateswoman. The world could do with a few more like her.
Rick
Nicely put Rick, she will be sorely missed.
I wish Charles all the very best, but he has some big shoes to fill...
I think he'll do well. He's intelligent and caring. He has good advisors and will have been groomed for a long time for the role.
It will be interesting to see and I think he's mature and sensible enough not to become embroiled in potentially sensitive issues.
He has known for decades that he'd be king one day and had an excellent role model.
Good answer Rick... I think pretty much the same as you my friend!
I hope that we are right...
See more comments
Hi Rick,
I love your warm sentiments about Her Majesty the Queen. Elizabeth I inherited the tag, The Virgin Queen. I hope someone in authority will recognize Queen Elizabeth II as Elizabeth The Great. I feel she has earned that title for history. I have not heard anyone talk about this, so I doubt this will happen.
When we immigrated to England by ship, we looked forward to the daily newsletter at breakfast where the message that Queen Elizabeth welcomed us to England. Our family got a very warm feeling about that.
Charles will not reign as long as his mother. Hence, I doubt he will be able to match her achievements. However, William will inherit the throne at a much younger age and be the monarch who will be able to carry on the work his grandmother started. As long as Charles can maintain the status quo.
I read that King Charles has plans to water done the monarchy. That could be many things. I hope he doesn't do anything to minimize the pomp and circumstance of Royal occasions. I worry about how his coronation will be managed.
We can only hope for the. best.
Cheers.
Edwin
We can indeed only hope for the best Edwin and thanks for your thoughts. Even with longevity increasing as it is I don't think Charles will reign as long as his mother! I haven't heard anyone talk about a title such as "The Great" and I think it's unlikely to happen as she was a symbolic head of state.
As you know, the British Monarchy is a constitutional monarchy. This means that, while The Sovereign is Head of State, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament.
It will be interesting to see how the coronation is managed and how Charles adapts to life as the new Head of State.
Rick