Queen Elizabeth 11 – My Tribute Through My Eyes

In following the last week of the news of the world of the Queen’s passing; today, I felt the need to write something in reflection of how this great lady affected my family & my life, for it was all that we knew in royalty terms.

From 6.30pm 8^th September 2022, the UK, The Commonwealth of Nations and most parts of the World changed immediately in recognition, admiration and service this great lady provided to her home country, the Commonwealth and embraced nearly every other remaining world country.

We all have our thoughts, praises and grief and it is always a challenge to write something that encompasses all that she did & stood for in her 70year reign and to which she carried out her service, even to her 2^nd last living day.

My royal introduction was strongly through my mother who was born one month after the royal child, Elizabeth in 1926. My mum shared and followed her life, much like a sister even though worlds apart by living in a country city in NSW, Australia. Mum followed her fashion; hairstyle and I believe even took hold of her life-like demeanour and manners throughout her life. Looking back over mum’s life, I can see that would be so true & celebrated each milestone birthday too. Sadly, Mum passed away on 2013 through a major Sydney hospital mismanagement of her health. Mum, if still with us would be heartbroken in dealing with all this ongoing grieving and news broadcasts. Look at the photos here to see how similar they were.

For the Queen’s passing it feels like I’ve lost my mum again, bit of a stretch, you say but there was that ever belonging connection through mum. I even remember being 7yrs old sitting at the kitchen table listening to my parents in choosing my youngest brother’s name. They chose Rodney which didn’t get my ‘approval’ and then they chose Philip for the middle name .. not liking that also. Obviously, I wasn’t involved in the ‘voting’ process & I wasn’t too fussed on the idea anyway being 7, but my older brother (10) liked the chosen names as he liked being opposite to me, especially as the years progressed. Philip, clearly after the Queen’s husband but at the time I remember the discussion of hearing The Queen quite regularly. Dad was non plussed & quickly agreed to Mum’s request probably so he could leave the table, I guess.

In reference to 5^th March 1986, I had the fortuitist opportunity for I was working in Sydney, married with children and mum was visiting us when I found out Queen Elizabeth 11 was in Australia and also opening my rugby league team’s new stadium, Cumberland Oval at nearby Parramatta. I was currently supervising the major redevelopment of the taxiways & runway of Sydney’s Mascot Airport so it was a miracle I had that time available to be at home. Obviously, getting the stadium tickets was denied to many, so the only thing available was to become the public gathering outside of the stadium. Mum was negative in believing to get close enough but was well & truly dressed & pushing me towards the car that morning.

Knowing the stadium area well enough & being ultra-early I managed to park and provide a shortish walk for mum to trek around to the other side of the stadium where the double entry transport gates were located. The barricades were in place of course but they went right up to the gates. Here we stood for a few hours with the crowd building & numerous police present, but here we are in 1^st place at the gates and soon the motorcade came forward, firstly with police motorbikes & lights flashing.

Unexpectantly, The Queen’s royal England black Daimler stopped just short of the gate entrance and with her entourage in full motion opened the doors and the Queen & Prince Philip stepped out to the roar of the crowd. With the entourage channelling her through to the gates I called out strongly (politely of course) in the hope she would push towards the crowd for a close greeting for we are possibly only 6m (20’) from her. The crowd was beside & behind us with no crowds on the other side of the entrance gates, so the calls only came from one point.

I continued calling out as I knew full well my mum was the only older lady within a great distance and with her gloss white hair surely, she would be noticed being at the gate post. Mum was tugging at me to stop yelling and knowing I was getting nowhere I humbly obliged. It was bewildering the Queen never even waved to the crowd before entering the stadium. Even Prince Philip was focussed in walking forward. A circumstance I couldn’t fathom & still can’t in replaying my memory but I would say the Queen was quite late to the stadium. I felt so sad for mum, but she was still thrilled to have almost touched her. Mum was full of voice back in the car & in ringing her sisters back home once we had our landline.

With my eldest brother still living in our home back in Grafton, the Queen’s photo is still hanging in place. For my generation she has been with us our entire lives.

On behalf of my mum, I salute you madam in keeping your country & the Commonwealth strong in being a great Constitutional Monarch & will be recognised strongly in history for future generations to go by & wish King Charles 111 great success in following your lead.

RIP Your Majesty & thank you for Everything.