As an Aussie, the Queen was my Head of State. Her passing last week had me thinking about her life and what she meant to me. Queen Elizabeth II was someone I admired greatly. She wasn’t born to be Queen, but thanks to the abdication by her uncle, she found herself in the role. A life of service.
Apart from the fact she wore bright colours (like in the photo below), seemed to have a wicked sense of humour and was devotedly married for a lifetime, she worked hard. Really hard. She’s famous for reading her Red Box (all the paperwork and documents generated from Parliament and the like) 363 days of the year (Easter and Christmas days were the exceptions). So even on “holiday” she read.
Every time she set foot out of the palace she had to look immaculate, smile, control her emotions and be prepared for a million eyes to be on her. She had to go to events she must have dreaded, make polite conversation with thousands of people – and seem interested in them – and ride the ups and downs of family life with the world watching and judging…and she never complained in public, or sought praise and admiration for what she did.
She did this for 70 years.
I think everyone could take a lesson from the Queen. Work hard, don’t complain, accept what life throws at you and get on with it – without expecting or needing commendation and adulation. But in doing so keep true to yourself (I did say she loved bright clothes).
What did you admire about the Queen?
September 12, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Her passing hit me pretty hard as well. I think she is a role model for every woman the whole world over. It will be so weird ti usher into an era of at least 3 consecutive kings. The changing of probably at least 2 I will see in my own lifetime now, since the first has already happened.
September 13, 2022 at 8:17 pm
I imagine I will see 1 more change as the Royal family do seem rather long lived. There is already talk of the new coins being minted with King Charles on them starting next year – that will be weird to see (and saying King Charles is also weird!).
September 13, 2022 at 4:55 am
It was very sad news indeed.
September 13, 2022 at 8:18 pm
Everyone knew it was coming, but it was still hard to believe when it did. She’d been the Queen my whole life.
September 13, 2022 at 7:33 am
I love the stories of her sense of humor, her style, her dogs. I can’t imagine living life as she did for 70 years!
September 13, 2022 at 8:19 pm
I can’t imagine and I am very glad I didn’t have to do it. I was never one of those people wishing I was a royal – I’m not one for the public eye, much happier in the background.
September 16, 2022 at 3:05 pm
From one of the many recent programs on this subject I have learned that she organised her own funeral years in advance. Imagine having to do that. Apparently she once saw some people doing an activity and asked what was happening. “They’re rehearsing for your funeral,” she was told. Just as well she did have a sense of humour.
Someone who was with her on one of her estates one day and was interviewed recently said he saw her bullshitting some American tourists who didn’t recognise her. She cheerfully had a selfie taken with them and then told this guy she would love to be a fly on the wall when they showed the selfie to someone at home who did know who she was.
Yes, definitely a sense of humour!
September 18, 2022 at 9:43 pm
Oh, I can just imagine her internal laugh at that situation, Sue.
September 13, 2022 at 1:19 pm
It was sad to hear that she had passed. She’d been around my entire life, and while we aren’t connected in any way with the British monarchy (since 1776), I was quite fond of her, as are a lot of Americans. I used to follow he Royal Family on Facebook, and it was interesting to see her and Prince Philip going to businesses and getting the grand tour and to see her visit hospitals and chat with the patients. It showed that she cared what was going on in her country and in the Commonwealth. That means a lot. Sorry for your loss.
September 13, 2022 at 8:21 pm
Thanks, John. I have always believed she genuinely cared for her people and wanted the best for everyone. She had a tough life but lived it with dignity, a great work ethic and sense of humour.
September 13, 2022 at 10:14 pm
Haha yes same! One more for me as well after this switch is done. William is just a few years older than me so I *might* see George’s reign begin.
We will continue making stamps with the Queen’s image until the end of January 2023, then switch. And our currency will continue in circulation with her image but they will begin making the switch over to King Charles soon and just let it naturally take over hah
September 14, 2022 at 8:07 pm
Our stamps don’t have the Queen on them, so that’s not an issue for Australia. Our coins will start showing the King from next year – but the Queen’s money will still be legal tender. Be weird to see Charles on the coin and not the Queen!
September 14, 2022 at 10:34 am
As an American she had no political ho;d on me.
She was such a constant, though,a solid road through the wilderness of politics and intrigue.
September 14, 2022 at 8:08 pm
I think that’s the big thing, she’s been a constant – and in the world of politics and power it’s unusual to have someone so consistently in a role.
September 14, 2022 at 8:25 pm
I agree! It will be so weird!