The Queen…

A very nice tribute from Ursula von der Leyen: this is part of the message she sent to Charles.

Her courage and devotion to serving her country was a source of great strength to many and an anchor of stability in the hardest times. The Queen’s steadfast dedication to her country, love of family and of her people informed every day of her long reign. Her empathy and ability to connect with every passing generation, while remaining rooted in the traditions that truly mattered to her, was an example of true leadership.

Her reign defined the history of your nation and our continent. She symbolised the best of the United Kingdom, its people and its values. She meant so much to so many and, on a personal note, has been an inspiration throughout my life.

I feel she has been there all my life
I am 78 now and was in primary school when the king died I can still remember that day, and the endless mourning that followed.It was then I became aware of death.I also remember watching the coronation on my grandparent's tiny screened television that my uncle had just bought for them.
The end of an era now

God bless her. She has been a constant in my world remembering her as a very young woman, listening to her wedding on the radio in our flat; watching the coronation on a friend’s 9inch black and white tv. Then watching it in colour at the local cinema etc etc. I thought her last Christmas broadcast was the most heart felt one I remembered her giving.
,

My heartfelt condolences maddyone ?
When I was young, I didn’t like the Queen much, we had to wait until after her speech, 3pm Christmas Day, until we could open our tree presents.
Times change of course, she has enduringly been in the background of my life, I’ll miss that, RIP.

It’s hard to think of anything else tonight
The Queen has dominated our country and “our “ world more or less since WWII - for many of us, all our lives .

My grandchildren are watching al the tributes on TikTok it’s quite heartening to see so much love from young people, it’s making me cry,

We will.

This

I’ve just raised a glass to the Queen, looking at a picture of DH meeting her. RIP (both).

Together again

I immediately thought of my grandmother when I heard the sad news. Here name was also Elizabeth and she too lived to be 96. She always expressed the wish to die in her own home and her own bed. She got half her wish because she remained in her own home with support from her family. She died very quickly and very suddenly from a heart attack.

There are worse things than ending your life peacefully in bed with your family around you. I am not a great monarchist but I dont remember another head of state. I was 9 when her father died so she is more or less the only queen I have ever known. Our Queen had a full life and will be greatly missed.

RIP our dear Queen. Such a very gracious lady. We will miss you. ?

This

Beautiful poem Ladyf. RIP Queen Elizabeth who never put a foot wrong.

Maddyone, my condolences to you on the loss of your mum, what a sad day for you.

And a very sad day for all of us at the passing of our dear Queen. It seems as though the world has somehow tilted on its axis, nothing will be quite the same again.

My middle name is Elizabeth, named after the then Princess, who would marry her Prince 10 months after my birth, so I have a very special way to remember her.

Ladyf
What a lovely poem, sad but so heartwarming too.

Thank you for those evocative words Ladyf. Sad day for all of us.

maddyone

I keep crying and crying. My own mother just died too. I feel bereft.

maddyone, I'm so sorry.

Ladyf

That is lovely, thank you for sharing it.

volver

Its very sad. Sad that so many members of her family have to deal with this. I'm neither a monarchist nor a religious person, but I hope at the end that she felt she was going to see her Phillip again.

My thought too.
She had such a strong faith that I'm sure she looked forward to them being reunited.

MadeInYorkshire

DaisyAnne

Boris Johnson's statement

Never a fan of Boris, but I thought his tribute was excellent ....

I thought so too. I should have called it his tribute as that was what it was.

My lovely DiL sent me this:-

Philip came to me today
And said "Its time to go".
I looked at him and smiled,
as I whispered that "I know".

I then turned and looked behind me
and I saw I was asleep.
All my family were around me
and I could hear them weep.

I gently touched each shoulder
with Philip by my side.
Then I turned away and walked
with my Angel Guide.

Philip held my hand
as he lead the way,
To a world where Kings and Queens
are Monarchs every day.

I was given a crown to wear
or a halo known by some.
The difference is up here,
they are worn by everyone.

I felt a sense of peace,
my reign had seen its end.
70 years I had served my Country,
as the People's Friend.

Thank you for the years,
for all your time and love.
Now I am one of two again
in our Palace up above.

This reduced me to tears (again!) but it also, strangely, lifted me.

Sending hugs to all Gransnetters.

Such lovely tributes to the Queen on BBC1 right now.

I feel sorry for Charles, having to visit various parts of the country rather than being able to sit and mourn the death of his Mother.
Just as she had to when her father died.

NoddingGanGan People are on here paying their respects for our wonderful Queen and there's no need for nonsense like that. So disrespectful.