History Matters: The Queen’s Passing

By Victoria R. Crosby

In an earlier issue of Our Town Gwinnett, I wrote about the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in Norcross and the ironic affection Americans have for someone whose ancestor they fought a war to separate from. On Thursday, September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral in Scotland at the age of 96. Many Americans and British expats in the US were glued to their TVs since that announcement.

The outpouring of condolences from world leaders and the general public was evident in the floral tributes, candles, and other tokens left at the gates of Buckingham Palace and in many other Royal residences. Palace officials had to caution the public not to continue leaving marmalade sandwiches, as they attract insects and rodents.

The Queen was known for her sense of humor and had recorded a TV skit with Paddington Bear for her Jubilee in which they had tea and marmalade sandwiches. The recent celebrations of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee almost made it seem that she would live as long or longer than her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who was known affectionately as the Queen Mum, and lived to be 101. The Queen’s husband of seventy-three years, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died at the age of 99 in 2021, a few months short of his 100th birthday.

During WWII when she was an 18-year-old princess, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service where she trained as a driver and a mechanic. She was the first female member of the Royal Family to join the armed services as a full-time active member.

People from all over the world attended the Queen’s funeral, and thousands traveled and waited for hours to view her coffin in Edinburgh, Scotland and at Westminster Hall in London, and many more thousands watched on televisions worldwide

The news of the Queen’s death seemed to affect some people, almost as the loss of a family member. Many had never known another monarch in their lifetime. She was a constant presence and was looked upon as the mother and/or grandmother of the nation, if not the world.

During the Changing of the Guard two days after 9/11/01, the Queen had the Cold Stream Guards play the American National Anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, breaking with centuries of tradition. Another tradition was broken when Princess Anne, the Queen’s only daughter, stood in a vigil in her full navy ceremonial uniform at the coffin with her three brothers, a ceremony previously reserved only for princes.

Many world leaders attended the funeral at Westminster Abbey, including President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Now we anticipate the coronation next year of King Charles III, who was heir to the throne longer than any other monarch.