I did but see her passing by...

Friday 9th September - 2022

I must admit that when l woke up this morning to the news that our Queen Elizabeth II had passed overnight at Balmoral in Scotland, l shed a few tears.

My life’s first memory of the Queen goes way back to 1954 when l was only 7-years-old. It was the first time that the Queen visited Australia & as a young boy l can remember lining the 'Mad Mile' highway in Sutherland as her cavalcade of vehicles drove past all of us screaming kids & adults waving Australian flags as she continued travelling south towards Engadine.

Spin the clock forward 68-years & l am now 75-years of age having just returned from my 3-months sojourn in the 'Old Dart' only one week ago. As you all know that l am a loyal Monarchist through & through & one of the main reasons for my trip to England this year was to Celebrate the momentous occasion of our Queen's Platinum Jubilee 70th year Celebrations.

(Above) Crowds surging towards The Mall during the Platinum Jubilee on Thursday 2nd June ‘22.

How fortunate was l to celebrate that occasion with another 1.5 million people on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace on Thursday June 2nd ‘22. (see photo of crowds surging towards the Mall). When l arrived in London on the 26th May this year the atmosphere was electric right through the country because it was now less than 7-days before the Platinum Celebrations were to begin.

I have included a couple of newspaper articles from London’s Sunday Mail (29th May) that l found interesting at the time. (see photos) If you had been following any of my blogs before l departed Sydney for London l used to joke & tell people that l had been asked by Her Majesty to come to London to look after her Corgi’s while she was busy with all of her official duties to which l gladly accepted.

(Above) My light reading in London: Newspaper articles in the Sunday Mail on Sunday 29th May ‘22.

It was unbelievable that quite a few people when l told them that story thought that l was absolutely serious & of course l would not tell them otherwise.
I can specifically remember walking around the streets throughout London & especially out in the sticks where l was in ancient Redbourn that most of the residences were flying the British Flag in respect for the Queen’s Platinum Celebrations.

Today will definitely be a challenging day for many millions of people throughout the world & here in Australia, especially for those living in the Commonwealth countries.

(Above) My light reading in London: Newspaper articles in the Sunday Mail on Sunday 29th May ‘22.

Her Royal Highness had this special personality that would bring people together, and a women of unsurpassed dignity. I feel so blessed & so fortunate to have lived through her historic reign & long life, she was much loved here in Australia.
These are not my words, however this morning l heard somebody say that she was everyone’s Grandmother, how appropriate is that.

I had this premonition in my bones when l was travelling throughout Scotland recently that her time on this earth was drawing to an end, especially when l was in Edinburgh.

(Above) Me & friend enjoying High Tea on board the Royal Yacht Britannia - August 23rd, 2022, Edinburgh.

As you know by reading my blog, l made the time & effort to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia to enjoy High Tea on board her retired Yacht in Edinburgh.

Now this is where l find all this quite eerie, the last evening of my 12-Day Scottish Isles & Glen trip (August 23rd) I had the pleasure to attend The Royal Military Tattoo on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, little did I know at that time it would be last time that l would ever sing “God save the Queen” less than 17-days ago.

(Above) Prince Charles & Lady Camilla parading right in front of me in their horse-drawn carriage. Queen Anne Enclosure, Royal Ascot. June 14th, 2022

Only yesterday before putting pen to paper with this latest blog I mentioned that at Royal Ascot (see photo) on Tuesday 14th June ‘22 (our future King) Charles & Lady Camilla were within 5 metres of me as they paraded around the Queen Anne Enclosure in their horse drawn carriage before the racing commenced.

Now less than 3-months later Prince Charles will be our King & life goes on. I will finish off now & leave you with these few words. “Grief is the price we pay for love”

“God save the King”

Sincerely yours
Warbo