As of yesterday, September 8, 2022 Great Britian lost her queen.
Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary passed away, she follows her beloved Prince Phillip.
I know this post doesn't have anything to do with Jane Austen, but fans of Jane's are British citizens and they loved their queen as much as I do.
Her Royal Highness was an icon and a role model to many. When war broke out, the future queen rolled up her sleeves and joined many women in helping with the war effort as a mechanic. When VE Day came, she chose to go out in the streets with her fellow citizens to celebrate the joyous moment instead of hiding away with her family to celebrate.
At 26, she learned that her father had passed away and she was now the Head of State. She did not get the opportunity to sit with her father and say goodbye since she was in Kenya on an Ambassadorship tour of the Commonwealth.
She became queen in February of 1952 and began her job as Queen, juggling young motherhood with concerns and the needs of her nation.
She spent seventy years in this role, becoming a grandmother and great grandmother. She rallied her people when it was needed and offered comfort and stability in ordinary times.
I am an American and for me, Queen Elizabeth was a symbol of Great Britian in modern times. She gave as good as she got. She never let anyone see those weak moments in her heart.
When her ex daughter in law, Diana died, she chose to be present for her grandsons who had lost a mother. I know the world thought that she had handled that situation a little callously, but Diana was no longer a royal and was only the mother of her grandsons. Protocol was not part of this situation despite the fact that the world loved Diana. Queen Elizabeth handled that pressure with grace and kindness in my mind.
Despite this moment, Queen Elizabeth continued to reign and continued to serve the people of Great Britian until yesterday morning.
She outlived her great grandmother, Queen Victoria's reign by about seven years or so. Not bad, and more interesting because both of them were women of their times and did great things.
Through the good and the bad, I will always love Queen Elizabeth and all that she accomplished in her lifetime.
Rest in love, Your Highness
Karollynn
