First, I was greatly saddened eleven days ago when I heard her majesty Queen Elizabeth II had died. I had a fondness for her and saw her as a symbol of my great homeland.
I saw her in person just once when I was a boy in England. I recall the public event at Coventry’s railway station but don’t remember what she looked like on that day. My mother recalls she wore a green outfit and her complexion and smile were beautiful.
Clearly, Britain has an ancient history filled with horrid times - but it is also my home and I am proud to call myself an Englishman. A lot of that history was tied to past kings and queens, but I believe our Queen was different, modern and kind. I truly believe that she embraced her role and did serve our nation with exceptional fortitude. I thank her for all she has done for Britain in her 70 years reign as Queen.
There is no doubt that the pomp and ceremony is rare in today’s common world. But I like it. It connects me to history.
And for now, as it has been for my entire life, I am a royalist. I respect the monarchy, King Charles III and will gladly sing God Save the King when the England football take the field in Qatar and when other less important national moments occur. I have been impressed by what I’ve heard from the King in recent days - a stately grace with which he immediately steps into his new role, but with a modern, perhaps more relaxed nature - I guess he’s had a lot of time to prepare himself for this time. I feel he’ll be a good King and appears that he is already being warmly accepted, and maybe over time, even loved by Britons and the royalist public of the Commonwealth.
Only one of my work colleagues initially mentioned the Queen’s death and offered his condolences. He admits he wasn’t certain of my standing, but he took a chance and I thanked him for his words and recognizing the magnitude of the Queen’s death. For similar reasons I have not brought up the Queen’s death in my work meetings. I did not want to hear any negative comments or possibly, cruel jokes at this sad time. A few days after her death a second colleague offered his kind condolences and another person in the meeting with a little less ceremony suggested that her long life should be celebrated - I have to agree.
Although I have very faint memories of my grandmother, the feeling I have for the late Queen is almost like losing a dear grandmother. Her monarchy could be seen as the imagined matriarchy of our family. England represents family to me and I will miss The Queen.
Today, on the day of her funeral, I signed the book of condolence at Toronto’s City Hall. I wrote - You will be missed dearly by the people of Britain, Canada and The Commonwealth. On behalf of my English family, thank you, you are what makes England beautiful.
