I have always been a fan of Queen Elizabeth II and her recent death has put me in a state of respectfulness and solemness. As I watched her memorial service on Monday, I was once again struck by what a life she lived. It does not matter if you are a fan of the monarchy or not– what she accomplished and stood for in her lifetime and reign was no less than remarkable.
Imagine the responsibilities that she had at the young age of 25. When I was 25 I just had one baby and was navigating motherhood and marriage and did not have a job outside the home. She, on the other hand, was managing a whole lot more. I’d like to think she had good advisors and counsel and family to support her during all of those years but even then I am sure that there were times she felt like throwing up her hands as well.
A quick look at some of the facts about her follow thanks to the internet.
Birth date: April 21, 1926
Death date: September 8, 2022
Birth place: London, England
Birth name: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary
Father: King George VI
Mother: Queen Elizabeth
Marriage: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (November 20, 1947-April 09, 2021, his death)
She was named after her mother Queen Elizabeth, her paternal great-grandmother Queen Alexandra and her paternal grandmother Queen Mary.
When World War II began, she was a Girl Guide (British Girl Scouts) and went through the same training as the other Girl Guides her age.
Her official title after March 26, 1953: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
You may recall, my neighbor and friend Elaine and I recently had a tea and had all of the trimmings of the UK on display including a tea towel prominently featuring the Queen herself.
As I watched the memorial service I was moved to tears at times for various reasons. Seeing the family, her beloved corgis, the crowds that lined the streets and the actual services themselves with such meaning and love being shown for this woman were quite emotional. What a legacy she leaves behind.
I found this silly little short video I did a long time ago. As you can tell I have always loved the Queen.
12 Comments
Leave a commentLove this! Great video!! I have that same queen!
I love that we have the same queen!
It was an amazing and moving day on Monday. Something we won’t see again I’m sure – at least not in this magnitude. And seeing her corgis and pony really undid me.
Thanks for the tribute. I read that it takes a long time to switch everything- money, stamps, mailboxes, etc to the next monarch. Currently about 75% of the red mailboxes have the cipher ERII. The rest have her grandfather’s cipher and there are even mail boxes with Queen Victoria’s cipher still in use.
Wow! I guess it is a major thing!
Many of us Americans will also miss her, she had so many fans!
Yes, me too! Her death saddened me so much and yet I had to think what a long, good, fruitful life she lived. She was blessed. And it bothered me immensely to see mean-spirited things said and written about her on social media.
My sister and I watched the end of the church portion of the funeral while eating breakfast in our hotel room in DC. I’ll always have the memories of our conference intertwined with sad thoughts for her family.
I’ve been waiting for a “Queen” post from you. thank you for sharing your love and admiration for her. She seemed like a compassionate and caring woman. And she always appeared so elegant in her attire, often wearing bold colors. I especially liked the lime green.
We loved when she and Paddington Bear finally revealed what she actually keeps in that purse.
When Queen Victoria was riding in her carriage through the streets of London on the occasion of her Jubilee, a regular working man on the corner shouted “Go it old girl !” In many ways, that could be said of Elizabeth as well. And she navigated a world much more changing than Victoria.
She was a role model for all women everywhere. She was a princess, even a pretty one, and she still *worked*!
I’m not a monarchist, but if the British want a monarchy I say good luck to them and let them have it. They were blessed with a fine one for most of the past hundred years.
Queen Elizabeth II was a special woman who we will not be forgotten. I too respected & appreciated her very much.