My contribution after the recent sad events!!

Doug, Very sorry to hear of the sad loss of your mother, hope she had a peaceful end. Must say she had a good innings, that's given me a target to aspire to.
With all good wishes, Nerys

For our Queen, THE QUEEN,
and my Mum whose funeral will be on the day after Elizabeth R's.
With thanks to Dylan Thomas, who in this poem concisely encapsulated Life and Death better than anyone (least of all me, a simple engineer).

Do not go gentle into that good night
Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my (Queen), there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.


Recital by Anthony Hopkins.

When I listen to the number of heads of state Primeministers ,Presidents and world leaders I think of two that stand out. Canada's Primeminister Justin Trudeau his father PET. US presidents GW Bush and GHW Bush. They had the honor of being presented to the Queen as leaders of their countries. You would fill a room with photos and stories of the many leaders she met with.
Such an outstanding legacy to leave the world.
Rick

There isn't a lot that can be added to all the good things that our members have been saying about the Queen. She was a most worthy monarch.
Yes, I remember the coronation, I remember sailing out of the Medway to Sea Reach on the Thames with a host of other yachts to greet her on her return from her first cruise as monarch on Britannia.
I can also say that I have known five monarchs in my lifetime. King George 5, Edward 8, George 6, Queen Elizabeth and now King Charles 3.

Nerys

Very sad day yesterday when our Queen Elizabeth II passed. I am old enough to remember her accession and Coronation and like many others was deeply moved by the Coronation ceremony and the pledges made. It was even more memorable as many families were able to watch the whole proceedings on the relatively new TVs that were becoming available. We all had a day off school to celebrate.
Throughout her reign we have seen the Queen and her family fulfil her pledge, and support and promote the UK and Commonwealth both at home and abroad.
She was respected across the World and will be remembered for all the joy and enjoyment she engendered in her long reign.
R.I.P. your majesty.
Long live the King.
dave976

Sad day here in NZ as well. I remember us going to the city as a kid to watch the Queens downtown parade (along with most of the country). Also watched her later 9 trips here. Her Christmas message was given from here on her last trip in 2002. She also opened our new parliament building in Feb 1977 and has the QEII stadium in Christchurch with her name on it. Still have pics I took of the Britannia in Auckland, and remember being impressed at the glossy finish. The Queens coronation was one month after I was born, so like many, she has been there all my life. A truly remarkable woman who touched millions and will be remembered for her service to the commonwealth.

A tiny example of how far she went to support young people, was this meeting with a young local girl (along with 5 other young people) for the Queens Young Leaders Awards which must have made her life. For any young people to say they had 'met the Queen' would have been a lifetimes' worth of encouragement, (not to mention credit)

Many of our place and street names are from the royal families connection , Sandringham, Balmoral, Queen St, Elizabeth St, Windsor Rd, Duke St, Royal Rd, Buckingham St, Duke of Edinburgh awards etc, so without that connection, and her influence, things would have been different here for sure.

RIP, Ma'am you have earned it.

JB

Truly a sad day for the world.
I have only learned through documentaries regarding the Royal family. The Queen's strenght, loyalty to her position and the world. Very remarkable.

I have had nothing but admortation for this Lady that the whole world respected.

My apologies if I have miss spoken or out of place.

Doug, sorry to hear of your Moms passing. I’ve lost both of my parents years ago, and I still miss them something fierce. Not trying to pry, but I hope she went easy.

As for the Queen, I truly hope the King can live up to her legacy, and can lead England as well as She did. Seven decades!! Yep, she left some mighty big shoes to fill.
Cash

Thank you Rowen,
97! Not a bad innings!
She'll be mad as hell that she didn't make the century though!
😎

Sorry to hear of your Mums death Doug.
Condolences from Canada
Rowen

"Per Ardua ad Astra." 'Through adversity to the stars'.
Motto of the Royal Air Force Rowen.
But somehow also appropriate here!
Doug.

In 1971, when I was in a Paris, the Queen and Prince Phillip were involved in meetings with the French government. They were staying in Palace of Versailles.

Myself and our musicians (a gospel group) had just finished a broadcast on a rock radio station. We decided to try seeing the Queen’s motorcade which was soon to be passing along. Since we were in Versailles, it was easy to find the route and the police line along the street.

We approached the police barricade and spoke with them explaining we had just been on the radio program.

We were five American young adults, there were no other spectators, so, the police placed us in front of them on the boulevard as the police motorcycle in a V formation came down toward us at 1 a.m in the morning, with the Royals in the backseat of their Citron Maserati Limo. As they drove past, the Queen, turn around and wave to us out the back window! Wow, we were on cloud 9 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

My condolences to all our U.K. members

I also like you Doug, shed a tear for a wonderful woman and Queen, I sincerely hope her son follows in her footsteps, he has a lot to follow, I never got to meet the Queen, saw her on many occasions through the years, and always admired her, such a strong woman, there will never be another like her.

Pete

I was moved to tears today.
After seeing the first headline on German TV, of 'doctor's concern' I continued to watch the BBC World News coverage to the bitter end.
She was the only monarch I had ever known, having been born scarcely a year before Her coronation. Her strength of character lead us to believe that she would always be there for us.
I had the immense pleasure of seeing her close up on two occasions,
1970 (I was 19), in the Grand Ballroom of Buckingham Palace as my father was invested by the Queen with the MBE for services to the Royal Air Force.
Followed by lunch in the Telecom Tower revolving restaurant, shortly before it was closed due to a terrorist bombing!
1972, I had married and through family connections we were invited to Christmas celebrations in St Georges Chapel within Windsor Castle.
Two of the most memorable events in my life. No digital cameras back then, but images forever engraved in my mind. (How does one download to the PC?)

The death of Queen Elizabeth II, although not entirely unexpected, was my second 'horse kick in the solar plexus' in 10 days. My Mum died last week aged 97.
She was an avid Queen fan, she looked so alike the Queen that my sister once thought that she WAS the Queen!
Mum had often said that she was determined to celebrate her 100th birthday so that she could receive the traditional congratulatory telegram from the Queen.
(Mum used my PC to send email birthday congrats to the Queen and always received a reply.)

When my sister phoned to tell me Mum had died I had remarked that Mum would be mad not to have achieved that ambition and would be giving Saint Peter 'hell' for that, she was a feisty lady!
I added 'assuming that the Queen herself manages to reach 100'.
In retrospect a prophetic throw-away comment that I now bitterly regret.

A most remarkable lady has moved on, but we celebrate her life and her legacy.
The Queen is dead. Long live the King!
Doug.

I had the opportunity as a part of my scout troup to go to Ottawa to see her when she came to Canada 1957. So prowd a day to stand and see the prosession pass by.
God bless the Queen God save the King.
Rick

It's amazing how this one person has managed to lighten the lives of so many around the globe.
For those of us that have seen her come to the throne, rule us so compassionately, take time on her walk abouts to speak to us meer mortals, and now end her long life at her favourite home with her family.
God bless your majesty for the happiness and calm you gave us all.
Our love and best wishes go to all your family and subjects wherever they may be.
R.I.P. Elizabeth the Great.

Very sad day, I watched the TV coverage and then suddenly the announcement of her passing.
I switched through the many channels around the country and Europe and USA, and all were covering the news.
The Eifel Tower will be dark tonight and the speed of her passing has come as a shock to people around the world.

Without reference to politics The new PM has much to do and I wish her well. I shall await events as I am sure will everyone else.

Regards to all
Roy

Per Ardua ad Astra.
What a inspiration to us all

Such sad news a remarkable WOMAN (Queen) She will be missed by all people of the world.
Rick

A very remarkable woman who will sadly be missed. The Queen, god rest her soul.

God save the King.

Sad loss for the world.