It has all happened rather swiftly … where the death of our beloved Queen was announced less than 24 hours ago …
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| Queen Elizabeth 1926 - 2022 |
Preparations for the death of her Majesty were made as early as the 1960s, regularly updated each year … and more so during the pandemic years …
… as you'd expect where Kings and Queens have reigned for over 1,000 years these plans have been revised and amended as times have changed …
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| Royal Arms of Queen Elizabeth as used in England (NB Unicorn) |
For the Queen – preparations were in place:
Operation Unicorn being the first should she die in Scotland, which as we know occurred;
The details are finalised through the various formal routes of Monarchy and Government … which will be acted upon in the coming days;
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| Platinum Jubilee event at Buckingham Palace for the public |
We don't know all the specific details … but as the hours unfold – we, the public, will be informed.
There are many tributes being paid both from people in all walks of life … many being recorded on radio and tv …
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| She died here in Balmoral Castle yesterday RIP Queen Elizabeth II |
It is a huge shock that our Queen should have departed quite so quickly … but during Thursday it became fairly obvious that things were developing – until the announcement of her death was made at 6.30pm – : RIP Queen Elizabeth II.
The plans for the event of the Queen's death and funeral are occurring concurrently with plans for the accession of King Charles III to the throne.
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| The Royal Standard |
The Royal Standard is never lowered … we always have a Monarch in place … other Union flags fly at half mast …
We are now at this point … the new King will be formally Accessed tomorrow … while other plans will arise as and when. Information is happening quite quickly.
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| Our new King as he was back in 2017 |
The new King has arrived back in London, when he will meet the Prime Minister – herself only three days into the job …
Both houses of Parliament … the House of Lords and the Commons are sitting so that members may record their condolences – these operations will cease at about 6.00pm when the new King will address the nation.
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| David Austin rose - Floribunda 'Queen Elizabeth' |
There will be a service at St Paul's Cathedral this evening … 'The Service of Prayer and Reflection' – which will be broadcast to the nation ...
The bells tolled at mid-day … for our dear Queen, Elizabeth II, rest in peace after decades of Devotion to Duty … 'The Servant Queen'.
PS I will do an ABC type of post in due course ... Change of plan - apologies ... I will not be doing a major post on her life. Perhaps when the Coronation comes along ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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38 comments:
I was surprised by my tears. I kept a close eye on the news for the past 6 months as it looked as if her health was failing, but to feel such sadness came as a surprise. She was my Queen. Deep sympathizes, Hilary. Queen Elizabeth was one of a kind.
I didn't have the news on yesterday afternoon, but received an email update from my local newspaper that the Queen's health had taken a turn for the worse, followed several hours later by another update of her passing.
@ Joylene - thank you for coming over and commenting ... I know the Queen meant a great deal to you ... as to me. I hadn't realised she'd become quite so weakened ... she always looked well, despite not being able to do so much ...
Yes - lots of sadness here ... eye welling too ...
@ Kathy - it was very sudden ... and by now you will know more what is happening ... as we welcome our new King ...
Thanks for both your comments - with thoughts - Hilary
I hope she can rest in peace. Her service was exemplary.
For some reason I got goosebumps when I read that the Royal Standard flag is never lowered because you always have a monarch in place. I love that sense of continuity. She was a treasure for the world.
Her father died the week I was born so I have a good understanding of how long her reign was.
We happened to be listening to the King's speech as I was reading this.
We were not terribly surprised as her health seemed to be in decline.
Some people in the US are terribly fascinated by all things royal. I'm not one of those, but have a lot of respect for Queen Elizabeth as a stabilizing and constant presence for my entire life.
Hari OM
We are in interesting times... so many changes all at once. I can't shake a sense that we will be in flux for some time. There is a giant hole in the fabric of our psyche, and even if we had not known of the potential of that presence, we know it now. YAM xx
My sincere condolences. She was such an amazing personage. I can't imagine England without her.
I confess to indifference to it all, as I suspect do most Canadians. There was extensive coverage on television yesterday, but not nearly so much today. I have been out and about and have met with several people today, none of whom so much as mentioned it. None of the emails I have received have paid heed to it. Canada of course is a constitutional monarchy and at least for now will remain so, primarily because the mechanism to change it makes it very difficult indeed, a process formulated in a different time under different circumstances. I suspect there is little enthusiasm for Charles, a man who we should not forget while still married to Diana, said he would like to live in Camilla's trousers. Hardly the stuff of stern moral fibre. To have our Head of State reside in a different country seems anachronistic to most Canadians. But that is quite enough from me! All the best - David
@ EC - so do I Sue, it's an interesting time ...
@ Terra - we have an interesting history ... eg the Royal Standard never being lowered as there will always be a Monarch in place ... and as you mention that sense of continuity - she was a treasure ...
@ Mike - thanks for coming here now ... I'm a little older - but vaguely remember her coronation ... vaguely probably! The new King's speech I thought was very apposite. Yes aged 96 her health was declining, yet the fact two days before she'd accepted one Prime Minister's resignation, while accepting the arrival of a new one - a female at that ...
I'm interested from a historical point of view ... but not besotted to all that's happening. Like you I have a great deal of respect for her ... and her continuity of service to her nation.
@ Yam - we, over here, are certainly living in interesting times. I have hope we'll get through and feel we will do; Though as you mention we have a hole in our psyche ... and yes - the country is realising what we have just lost.
@ Sandra - thank you ... as you say she was an amazing person - we're not going anywhere ... so please remember we're here with a King!
@ David - I know you're not a monarchist ... and when I lived over there I realised the west of Canada was more monarchist, while the east much less so.
Life and family goes on ... Charles had a troubling upbringing - he's been much happier since he's been married to Camilla ... and today, to me, proved that ... no worries - I appreciate your sentiments - thanks for commenting ...
Great to see you all - and it's lovely to have your comments ... cheers Hilary
Thanks for your post. I will miss the Queen. I really liked her and respected her.
Sorry for your loss. She was an outstanding woman and I admired how active she was. Mary and I were quite fond of her, as I believe a lot of Americans were. God bless her family and all our "cousins" in the UK.
Thanks for the tribute to the Queen, Hilary. She is much beloved by Australians, too. I feel unbearably sad at the loss of such a wonderful lady as I'm sure her family do. I feel we'll never see service such as hers again in our lifetimes. What King Charles offers is yet to be seen.
Condolences to your nation. It doesn't seem real as she has become the icon for your country. King Charles had a nice ring to it as it's my first name.
Her death brought tears. I loved and respected your Queen. What a woman - a true servant of her people who took a vow and upheld her end of the bargain. Plus, a lovely demeanor, humor, and more. Thanks for this post. I'm watching a ton of news and shall hang in to Westminster Abbey service. Good luck to King Charles - he's certainly been there and should be a solid king. Cheers to her long life (and greeting her 15th Prime Minister on Tuesday. That alone says it all)!
The news reached us at about lunchtime Thursday. So sad. My condolences.
@ Kay - thank you ... our Queen had so much to offer the world ...
@ John - thanks John, she was an outstanding woman; it's good to know you and Mary respected her. We appreciate your thoughts for us over here ...
@ Denise - yes I realise the Queen was much loved in most countries of the world ... especially yours ... she visited Australia 16 times apparently. She would be exceedingly difficult to follow - yet she has inspired so many of us to rethink our lives ... King Charles seems to have started well - at least I think so ...
@ Jeff - thanks for your thoughts - I really thought she'd be around a while longer ... thus has surprised me, though understandable bearing in mind her age. Congratulations on having the same name as our new King and good to see you.
@ Joanne - yes I was 'shocked' to know how soon her death came. You've covered all aspects of her life, and it's lovely to know you're following along. I think King Charles will match up - he seems to have started well ... while his mother's continued her duty even as recently as last Tuesday with our Prime Ministers ...
@ Liz - thanks so much for your thoughts ...
Today we have the Accession Council ... which has never been broadcast before ... historically it is an interesting time ... but thank you so much for all your comments and for being here - with thoughts - Hilary
It was a bit of a shock, despite her age, especially given that she had just met the new prime minister a couple of days prior. I shed a few tears as I'm sure, did most people. It all seems surreal! R.I.P. Your Majesty. ♥
It should be a comfort that our Queen passed very quickly. The worst thing at 96 would be to watch helplessly as your beloved mother and grandmother suffered from dementia and intense pain.
What a beautiful memory of this important figure. Charles has big shoes to fill.
@ Debbie - yes it was very sudden and unexpected to be so quick - very sad. I agree ... it is almost surreal - and now we're seeing history played out in front of us ...
@ Hels - yes at least she didn't suffer ... it was the great speed at which things unfolded for her and for the family ...
@ Jacqui - it's being laid out in full for us all - as to her life ... but I do feel Charles is adapting pretty well ...
I do feel we are settling in to our Monarchy's future ... it is a very interesting time ... thanks for your comments and wishes - Hilary
Very sad to see her pass. She witnessed so much during her 70 years.
A lovely tribute to her Majesty, Hilary. The whole world lost a treasure with her passing. May her memory forever glow within the hearts of all who loved her.
Thank you Hilary for this beautiful tribute to Queen Elizabeth.
Glad you are joining in the WEP Challenges, might see you there. Take care.
Such momentous times, Hilary. Your post captures a sense of the news so well. I was in Scotland at the weekend. I sense it was good that she passed away there, not simply because she loved the country and nation, but to highlight the things that unite us.
@ Diane - yes it is sad ... but I'm glad I'm aware enough to take in much of the formal processes. While you're right about her having witnessed so much ...
@ Diedre - thank you ... we have lost a treasure ... but we now have a change when we can appreciate others, who have much to offer. Love your sentiment 'May her memory forever glow within the hearts of all who loved and appreciated her' ...
@ Susan - thanks for coming over - good to see you. Yes I'll be there for the WEP, so I hope you'll join us.
@ Mike - interesting you were in Scotland in the last few days ... a different time for you there.
I agree - I think it was good she passed away there ... especially as the processes are making us aware of Scottish history, which is our history ... and, I would hope, unite us ...
Thanks to the four of you - great comments - cheers Hilary
Sorry for your loss, Hilary. Must have been a terrible shock for you all.
The roses named for the queen are purrfect for her, aren't they, Hils?
Hi Hilary - Queen Elizabeth was like none before or elsewhere. An institution of sorts. Not surprisingly, she is mourned world over. It's sad that she will no longer be around. May her soul rest in peace.
Saddened by the passing of another icon, vaguely shocked by how much it affected me. She was one of a kind. Never to be seen again. That's not to say King Charles III will not be great at his new role.
My heartfelt sympathies, Hilary, change at this level when so much is in flux, all so difficult!
@ Damyanti - I sort of realised it was probably about to happen ... but it certainly happened very quickly. We are being very British and dealing with all the necessary aspects of this period of mourning ... personal and national. Thanks ...
@ Sandra - those roses are the most wonderful colour - I so agree ...
@ Pradeep - you're right there - it is an unique occasion, to put it mildly. It's an interesting time for us all in this country, as too other parts of the world. Yes - may her soul rest in peace - thank you ...
@ Nila - it is an extraordinary time of history for our country. It's affected me - but not so devastatingly, perhaps as I might have expected ... Unique - can only be applied for so much that is happening here. King Charles seems to have started out in the right direction... I've been impressed. Thank you for your sympathies - this country is going through a rather difficult time - so much change ... it will be interesting, to put it mildly.
Thanks so much to you all - we are in absorbing times ... all the best - Hilary
I am not someone who is in favor of the monarchy, but I did respect the Queen. She was a hard working woman who was thrown into her "job" as a very young person. It certainly wasn't easy. I'm not particularly fond of the new King, but in the end I don't really care.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. There has been lots of talk here about her passing. It seems like a surprise, but she definitely lived a long life. I always felt like she was younger than her age.
Jess
She served for so long and when she was done she was out! The Queen was never one to have a problem making a decision. Imagine how great her reunion with Prince Phillip was, right Hilary? have a good day! xo
@ Carola - thanks for visiting ... and I appreciate your comments - all understandable, particularly as you live in wonderful California ...
@ Pam - she was an amazing woman ... and was always there for us - and for her family ... who occasionally did come first - eg for the grandchildren on the death of their mother.
I do hope we get to meet our loved ones when we leave this world ...
Thank you - it's an interesting time that's for sure - cheers Hilary
Hi Jess - thanks for commenting - I've rescued it.
She certainly went well - incredibly to be up and about 2 days before performing her duties, the next day enjoying a win for one of her horses - then becoming ill and dying within those 36 - 24 hours ... cannot fault that.
Thanks so much for coming by - cheers Hilary
We followed this solemn process as best we could from the States. I don't understand completely, but I respect the process and tradition. I was proud of our country for lowering our flag to half-staff until her burial.
Hi Dan - I most certainly don't fully understand, but appreciated a bit more of the knowledge that could be absorbed in such 'an event' ... and appreciate all those who've remembered our Queen and her life.
I'd like to understand ... but that learning curve will need to wait - while normality once again settles in. Appreciate your comments and thoughts - cheers Hilary
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