And thus an era (and an age) ends…

My Blog was going to be about something completely different, but as the globe knows now, Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday 8th September 2022.

There’s nothing much that anyone can say about her, she reigned for seventy years met with 15 Prime Ministers and oversaw great changes in her world. She was an inspiration to her people and her nation and she will be sorely missed. To say that this hit the globe like a thunderclap is an understatement. It is safe to say the reactions of shock and disbelief in the United Kingdom and around the world have been immense. Thinking back, four days hence, I realise that both her and the doctors must’ve been partially aware of just how ill she was – hence pretty much ALL the members of the Royal Family racing to Balmoral. My sympathies lie with Prince Harry who couldn’t make it in time. My heart goes out to him – perhaps this is a time for him and Megan to be reconciled with the Royal family proper – even if they want a more independent life away from the scrutiny of BEING Royal. After all there are hints that Charles – now King Charles III wants to streamline the monarchy, cut out the ‘dead wood’. There is going to be much speculation about that, methinks.

When Queen Elizabeth II visited RAF Cosford in 2012 my family and I were lucky enough to get tickets (you had to apply weeks in advance) and I was fortunate enough to get some good (ish) photos some of which I attach below.

Even Percy, our cat seems discombobulated by the events happening in this country, he’s taken to keep himself to himself – we may be giving off vibes that he’s picking up on. Of course I could be worrying myself stupid over nothing because he’s behaving normally in every other regard and is all over Edwin like a rash when he’s on the main computer, so it’s probably just me.

Neil Oliver presented a broadcast on Queen Elizabeth’s death which perfectly summed up many of the feelings swirling around at this most difficult time and how she has been a fixture for most of the residents of the United Kingdom for all of their lives.

However it was very moving to see the crowds that turned out to view her last journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh, and I was overwhelmed to see how many wished to pay their respects both in Edinburgh at St Giles Cathedral. I think there will be many thousands that come to view her lying in state in Westminster Hall, even more than there were for the Queen Mother. One thing is for certain; we shall not see her like again.

We have a new King, Charles III of the United Kingdom and Northern Island, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith. My hope is that he will be able to continue in his mother’s footsteps, he has some very large shoes to fill. God Save The King.