In times when nothing stood
But worsened or grew strange
There was one constant good
She did not change.
These words penned by poet Philip Larkin 45 years ago sum up the essence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died peacefully yesterday at the age of 96 at her beloved Balmoral Castle.
The date was September 8, 2022.
Exactly 50 years ago to the day, I arrived on English soil for the first time and here I am again enjoying this remarkable country with its resplendent beauty, quirky place names and double cream.
Yesterday, I wrote my monthly column early, but decided to go to the local pub for dinner before sending it to my editor.
Whilst enjoying my gin and tonic, I happened to mention to my captive audience how thrilled I was with my column, which included witticisms and bon mots about Merry Old England with, of course, a mention of the Queen saying good riddance to Boris and holding audience with her 15th prime minister, Ms. Truss.
The woman at the next table leaned over and said the Queen had just died.
In a room full of Brits, I was the only one who burst out crying.
It hit me hard. Of course, due to her Majesty’s frailty, her death was expected but nevertheless, the news struck me like a bolt of lightning.
And today, the day after, the news of her passing has cast a pall over this nation and the entire world.
A veil of sadness is hanging in the air as Britons grasp the reality of an end to a remarkable reign spanning 70 years; my entire lifetime.
I remember catching a fleeting glimpse of her when she visited Calgary in 1959. I have a photo on my fridge with her walking beside my uncle, a Grenadier Guard, as she inspected his regiment.
People at breakfast this morning proffered their memories of being in Trafalgar Square for her wedding in 1947. Another watched her coronation in 1953 on a tiny black-and-white television.
I spoke with many British strangers today and asked them how they were feeling. The resounding response was sadness, followed by feeling lost. Queen Elizabeth was their North Star and a symbol of continuity and steadfast devotion to duty.
Her loss is almost too great to process as she has always been there.
According to the Daily Telegraph, “There was a sense that as long as she was there, things would somehow be all right.”
When her loyal subjects heard the seismic news that their beloved monarch had left them, they were in a state of shock. After all, it was only 48 hours prior she had given permission for Ms. Truss to form a government. Her Majesty looked remarkable in her cardigan, pearls and Balmoral tartan skirt with a beautiful smile on her face.
How can she be gone? Her country is wondering how they are supposed to manage without her as she has always been a steady and stable presence in this tumultuous world.
Throughout all her personal family woes, she has always maintained a stiff upper lip whilst showing her humanity. Only once did she lose touch with her subjects and that is after the death of Princess Diana when she was a no-show.
But she adapted to the times and the mood of her nation.
She showed her humorous side by hanging out with James Bond and Paddington Bear.
As the world grieves for this amazing woman, her own words will comfort us: “Grief is the price we pay for love.”
You were loved, Ma’am.
April Lewis is the local communications director for CARP, a national group commited to a ‘New Vision of Aging for Canada.’ She writes monthly