Our Queen, Elizabeth II 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022
She was and always will be our Queen.
Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms – 32 sovereign states during her lifetime and 15 at the time of her passing.
Her reign was 70 years and 214 days – the longest of any British monarch, the longest recorded of any female head of state in history and the second-longest verified reign of any sovereign in history (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II).
At 25 years old, when her father died, she became Queen to our country, 1952 and years before I was born in 1981. I can’t imagine the fear, the pressure, the anxiety and the sheer terror this must have been on such young shoulders. I tell my children, my 2 boys I don’t want them having a girlfriend before 25, yet she was expected to be Queen. For a moment, I wonder what her thoughts must have been and even today, how you mourn the loss of someone so close to you and yet have to put on ‘a show’ and run a Kingdom.
To lose your father and in Charles’s case his mother, and at the same time you are given what most of us would consider the most incredible gift to lead your Country and Realm – but let’s be honest, we don’t know what it really means to be Queen or King or to be Royal, but I imagine not owning a set of keys for a home or car, or the freedom to pop to Tesco without your make up to be nothing more than confinement – your every move, comment and even your shadow commented on and dragged through opinion after opinion. Is that Royalty?
Queen is all I’ve known in my 41 years of life, I recall little from my early ages, but I do recall the celebrations of the Golden, Diamond and Platinum jubilees, 2002, 2012 and 2022. I don’t think she ever did anything that bought me anything but pleasure growing up, certainly I remember the fondness of my family at her speech at Christmas and the love that was in the room. I’ve only ever remembered love and happiness in her being Queen.
Those times have such fond memories with my family, friends and loved ones. Each and every time celebrating with love, laughter and carefree attitudes. Her rein I’m sure has given many of us those same fond memories.
Whether you are patriotic or not, having a QUEEN has been for me a blessing in my life, our Country ruled by a female mind, a somewhat soft and motherly leadership. This is something I wonder how much will change now we have the opinions and leadership of a man. We all i’m sure are aware that our fathers lead our homes with very different views.
I always felt our Country had kindness and I hope that continues.
Wishing everyone a week of family, love and contentment – let’s lead to a Greater than ever Britain and always remember Queen Elizabeth II as an inspiration to dig deep, work always and love your family.
