As we speak started as an unusual day, I dropped the youngsters off at college and appeared ahead to catching up on work, which unintentionally however inevitably, will get placed on a again burner in the course of the college holidays. Earlier than I may work, there was a pile of typical “mum or dad admin” that wanted to be sorted: varieties to fill in for Danny to begin at school, dates for Rebecca’s exams to be added to the diary, a telephone name to the varsity nurse about routine jabs for Caitlyn, and cash to switch for Izzy and the women to return to after-school golf equipment subsequent week. “I’ll get my work carried out!” I promised myself. And ultimately, I made a begin.
This quickly got here to an finish once I noticed a worrying tweet at 12.21 pm. I knew then that one thing was improper and that it was going to be a nasty day for all. Nevertheless, I nonetheless hoped that we might go to mattress tonight, with our trustworthy Queen nonetheless reigning over us. However it was to not be. As we speak, the Queen died…
One thing massive is occurring within the Commons – Keir Starmer is on his toes however has simply been handed a observe through his deputy Angela Rayner. SNP bench additionally made conscious. Lots of very glum faces
— Kate McCann (@KateEMcCann) September 8, 2022
At 12.21 pm, Kate McCann’s tweet acknowledged that Keir Starmer, while talking in Parliament had been handed a observe by Angela Rayner. Everybody who had been made conscious of the information appeared glum and frightened, as had been us, onlookers, now, as all of us knew what this doubtless meant.
You may watch how concern for the Queen unfold across the Commons, in the course of the Vitality Debate within the video above. PM Liz Truss’s announcement in the present day of capping households’ vitality payments as much as £2500 a yr has in fact been overshadowed now.
No information had been confirmed however I already felt so frightened, although I attempted to not. I’d like to be just like the individuals who stay by the motto, “Don’t fear, it hasn’t occurred but.” However no, my physique was involuntarily in panic mode. My coronary heart raced, I had goosebumps, my legs had been like jelly and my stomach churned.
An announcement from Buckingham Palace:https://t.co/2x2oD289nL
— The Royal Household (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
I turned on the information, however nothing was being reported but. 13 minutes later (which felt like an age) and the Royal Household launched and tweeted their first assertion of the day.
Following additional analysis this morning, The Queen’s docs are involved for Her Majesty’s well being and have really helpful she stay below medical supervision.
The Queen stays snug and at Balmoral.
Parliament was interrupted as Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle interrupted the speech of SNP Westminster chief Ian Blackford in the course of the vitality debate to inform MPs in regards to the Queen’s well being.
The entire nation might be deeply involved by the information from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime.
My ideas – and the ideas of individuals throughout our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her household presently.
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) September 8, 2022
Shortly after Liz Truss was seen to go away and she or he shared her personal assertion:
The entire nation might be deeply involved by the information from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime. My ideas – and the ideas of individuals throughout our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her household presently.
The BBC suspended all common programming and changed it with information protection of the Queen’s well being. All of us knew it was critical. There has by no means been a press release launched stating “concern” for Her Majesty’s well being earlier than. The information presenters had been sporting black ties, seemingly prepared to interrupt the unhealthy information. We simply watched the rolling information and waited.
We heard that fast household had been on their method. Prince Charles and Princess Anne arrived first as they had been already in Scotland. Then, Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and his spouse Sophie, Countess of Wessex all flew collectively from London, touchdown at Aberdeen airport, which is about an hour by automobile from the Queen’s residence. Clearly, when the household is known as, it means issues are critical. We ready for the worst however hoped for the very best, as there may be all the time hope and generally individuals pull by means of these well being scares, particularly on the age of 96.
The rolling information continued, and there was plenty of repetition and hypothesis. I messaged Mum, Jo, Ceri, Nice Gran, and Dave. I turned the TV off and tried to work. Then, I frightened that I’d miss an announcement so I returned to my desk and laptop computer however put the information again on the TV muted, glancing up often to verify for updates. There was no official information earlier than I went to select the youngsters up.
Unusually, Izzy got here out of college with the “Queen Elizabeth: A Platinum Jubilee Celebration” guide that the Division for Training commissioned to present to all main college youngsters in state schooling within the UK. I knew that Wales’ books had been as a result of be given out in September (to varsities that had requested them). Nevertheless, I don’t know if it was a coincidence that they got out in the present day or if a member of employees heard the information and felt it was apt to present them.
I obtained to Nice Gran’s home to select the older ladies up. Caitlyn was watching the information protection with Gran. Rebecca had heard the information at school. They requested me, within the straight-talking method that children do, if the Queen was going to die in the present day. I replied that I didn’t know for certain, issues appeared critical because the household had been known as to collect round, however you may by no means make certain till . We popped to the Publish Workplace and Tesco then dwelling to make tea, with the TV again on within the background. I used to be frightened there’d be a giant announcement whereas I used to be within the kitchen making tea.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The King and The Queen Consort will stay at Balmoral this night and can return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
— The Royal Household (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
I’d simply sat right down to eat tea after which at 6.30 pm I heard this heartbreaking assertion:
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will stay at Balmoral this night and can return to London tomorrow.
The information was damaged, in our dwelling, by Hugh Edwards on BBC Information. We don’t know what time she died, however I assume solely Prince Charles and Princess Anne arrived in time to see her. Listening to the information, I simply broke down in tears. Despite the fact that I do know that everybody dies, I knew that the Queen would die in the future, I do know she was 96. However, nonetheless, I simply can’t fairly consider it. The Queen is lifeless. Our Queen is lifeless. I believe, I subconsciously thought she’d all the time be round. For most individuals within the UK, within the World even, she’s been a relentless in our lives. It’s exhausting to think about life with out her.
On listening to the information, as I sobbed, I instantly messaged Mum, Jo, Ceri, Nice Gran, Granny and Grampy, and Dave. The youngsters knew as they had been dwelling. I simply needed a steadying group hug from everybody. I couldn’t eat my tea now, I felt sick.
Prince Charles launched a press release:
The demise of my beloved Mom, Her Majesty The Queen, is a second of the best unhappiness for me and all members of my household. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mom.
I do know her loss might be deeply felt all through the nation, the Realms, and the Commonwealth, and by numerous individuals around the globe. Throughout this era of mourning and alter, my household and I might be comforted and sustained by our data of the respect and deep affection by which The Queen was so extensively held
Statements have since been comprised of individuals of observe all around the world.
In fact, some individuals within the UK (and Worldwide) really feel in a different way as they’re towards the Monarchy. I discover the scenario difficult, I gained’t go into it intimately as in the present day is just not the day. I’m towards the Monarchy system in precept. However, since I used to be born, the Royal Household has been there. I beloved studying books about them as a baby. I used to be “center named” Elizabeth as a result of I used to be born on The Queen Mom’s eightieth birthday. I wrote her a letter about that and acquired a beautiful reply. My favorite guide in regards to the Queen was “The Little Princesses” by their Nanny, Marion Crawford (Crawfie), which was printed in 1950. Oh, I beloved that guide, in regards to the lives of Lilibet and Margaret rising up. It was additionally stuffed with great images. I felt very unhappy once I realised they had been in fact not completely happy about Crawfie, a loyal member of employees publishing a guide about them. I used to jot down tales and draw photos in regards to the Queen Mom as a bit lady, I believe I included certainly one of my tales within the letter to her.
Every time I hear individuals say unhealthy issues in regards to the Queen, simply because she’s the Queen, I really feel she doesn’t deserve it as she by no means requested for this position, to serve the British public, it’s not a life many people “commoners” would love or cope with- I actually wouldn’t. Her life would have gone a distinct route if her uncle hadn’t abdicated.
On her coronation day, in 1953, she mentioned:
I’ve in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so lots of you might be pledged to mine. All through all my life and with all my coronary heart I shall attempt to be worthy of your belief.
She saved to her promise and devoted her entire life to the service of the Commonwealth.
One more reason why cruelty at this unhappy time saddens me is she is a fellow human- a daughter, sister, niece, buddy, spouse, mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother. It’s heartbreaking for her household and in addition the general public that she is gone. These poor great-grandchildren.
It’s an odd time for all. As we speak is D-Day and Operation London Bridge (and Operation Unicorn as she died peacefully at Balmoral in Scotland) has began. We’ve already heard that Prince Charles is now King Charles III and all of the senior royals now have new titles. I’m personally not prepared for that but, in the present day is about saying goodbye to our Queen and for them to say goodbye to their mom and grandmother.
For me, in some methods it adjustments nothing, I nonetheless needed to clear up after tea and put the bins out as I do each common Thursday. However this information additionally adjustments every part. We’ve gone from Queen to King, our nationwide anthem has modified (I do know the older era needed to get used to singing “God Save Our Queen” when King George VI died), our flags will change (hopefully having the previous “Prince of Wales” as King will imply Wales might be mirrored in an up to date Royal Commonplace flag?), our notes and cash will change- I can’t think about a world with out the Queen’s profile on our cash when they’re ultimately out of circulation), stamps will change (however apparently ER postboxes will stay), prayers and guarantees might be altered and naturally, international locations could use this because the time to vary the Commonwealth, which has been coming for a very long time.
As our very new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, mentioned in her assertion:
And with the passing of the second Elizabethan age, we usher in a brand new period within the magnificent historical past of our nice nation,
– precisely as Her Majesty would have wished –
by saying the phrases…
God save the King.
It’s the finish of the second Elizabethan age and the start of a brand new period. My youngsters will keep in mind the Queen, particularly the Jubilee celebrations, however the brand new King or a future King (or no King?) could also be their future and ultimately their historical past of observe.
As I write this, we’ve already slipped into Friday, D+ 1, our first day shifting ahead with out the Queen, though she’s going to, in fact, characteristic most closely in our lives over the following 10 days. I wakened this morning along with her reigning over us and I don’t wish to go to mattress tonight as that may imply it’s ended. It does give me some consolation to see the crowds outdoors Buckingham Palace tonight.
I can’t consider her final public look was simply two days in the past, on Tuesday, when she invited Liz Truss to turn into prime minister and type a brand new authorities. What every week!
Thanks for giving your life to your nation, and the Commonwealth.
RIP Queen Elizabeth.
Reunited along with her late husband, Prince Phillip.
1926 – 2022
