20/09/2022
As I rise today, 20th September 2022. Wow…the last 10 days has been something quite extraordinary. A range of emotions mourning the loss of our beloved Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 96 1926-2022, 70 years on the throne. Yesterday 19 September 2022 was a somber, momentous, poignant, and memorable day. One which will be remembered for an era/lifetime, The Queens State Funeral. There were 4 personal moments which struck/came to my attention, namely: The Piper’s - The Queen had requested that her lone personal piper, Warrant Officer Paul Burns, play at the service - a nod to the Scottish Highlands where she loved to live, and where she died. The Flowers - They were cut from the gardens of Buckingham, Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House. The wreath included rosemary for remembrance and Myrtle from a plant which was grown from a sprig of myrtle from the Queen’s wedding bouquet in 1947, and oak for the strength of love. Emma the Fell Pony - Owned by the Queen for 26 years, stood on the grass at the side of the Long Walk, on the approach to the castle. And, the Corgis (Man’s best friend) - Muick and Sandy – were brought into the Windsor Castle quadrangle for the arrival of the Queen’s coffin, ahead of her committal service in St George’s Chapel. The way the nation, Commonwealth, states and dignitaries said their ‘Goodbye’s’, I am sure will be what the Queen had most wanted. Thank you to all who made the day run smoothly. Rest in peace your majesty. We love you and thank you for everything. God Save the King/Long live the King. In the words of Kirsty Young ‘She made history, she was history. Queen Elizabeth II has gone, but she will surely never be forgotten’, and The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby ‘The grief of this day, felt not only by the late Queen’s family but all round the nation, Commonwealth and world, arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us. She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives’ and ‘Those who serve will be loved and remembered longer than those who cling to power and privilege are long forgotten’. Thank you Ma’am, sleep well. ❤️💔🤍🖤🕊