New beginnings…

Last night, I watched the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II on the TV.

It was a beautiful ceremony with all the pomp and ceremony you would expect to see in a Royal funeral for a monarch but it wasn’t over the top.

The state funeral for the Queen had seen her travel through the streets of London on an 100 year gun carriage to Westminster Abbey for the main part of the funeral.

Then the Queen’s coffin was taken through the streets of London where a car was waiting for her to take her to St George’s Church for her committal into the family crypt at Windsor Castle, the home she dearly loved.

The Queen has now been reunited with her grandparents, her parents, her sister and her husband in the family crypt.

In St George’s Church, the Orb, the Sceptre and the Crown which was placed on top of the coffin for the entire service in Westminster Abbey, they were removed from her coffin and taken away. For me, it was the Queen, officially stepping down off the throne and from the service she spent 70 years of her life doing and passing on the baton to her son, King Charles to continue on as the new reining monarch.

It was a beautiful and moving funeral. Thank you Queen Elizabeth II for being my Queen. Thank you for your leadership, your inspiration, thank you for caring during times of crisis in our world with your calming words. Thank you for taking on the role and responsibility for those 70 years, even though being the Queen wasn’t something intentionally planned for you, you took the role and the responsibility on with good grace and good humour.

Rest well Queen Elizabeth II, now you are reunited with your husband again, I know you couldn’t wait to be with him again.

As Paddington Bear said best while sharing a cup of tea and a love for marmalade sandwiches together, “Thank you for everything Ma’am”.

Until next time

Kaye

End of an era…

Last night Australia time, Friday 9th April 2021, all news services gave an announcement that the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Phillip had passed away at aged 99.

He had been admitted to hospital in February 2021, suffering from an infection and had surgery for his heart before being discharged from hospital and being able to go home and recover there.

The news of his passing, has flags all over the Commonwealth flying at half mast in respect to Prince Phillip.

Prince Phillip had been married to Queen Elizabeth for 74 years and they lived a life that most of us will never experience but with all the Royal Duties they had to perform, they still made time for their children and their family.

With the passing of Prince Phillip, who had retired from official royal duties several years ago, his passing will impact on the future of the Queen’s duties as she will possibly hand more of her duties and engagements to the younger Royals in the family.

Rest in Peace Prince Phillip, you have lived a life well lived. This is a sad day indeed whether you like the Royal family or not

Until next time

Kaye