Dear Queen Elizabeth
As a young child in Swaziland, pre- independence I was privy to all things English and colonial. Tea and cucumber sandwiches. The club where gin-soaked gentlemen and ladies sat on shady verandas, where bowls and cricket and polo was the entertainment. English only schooling with very British teachers and nicknames, Mrs Cannonball being the most feared of all. And we sang God Save the Queen. The Queen being Your Royal Highness. Queen Elizabeth II.
The King James Bible was where I learnt Psalm 23 from. An English book about the Children of the Outback my first taste of the Commonwealth of Nations we all belonged to. Headed by you, Queen Elizabeth II
Throughout our lives, through all phases, news of the British Royal family captivated attention and created headlines. As I grew older I admired you, the stoic, dutybound Queen. I think most people did and will always.
Your children and sister did not make your life easy going. Many Prime Ministers and cabinets neither. You country and the world at large even less. Through all that was thrown you way you kept to the promise you made as a twenty-six year old. My word, you welcomed your fifteenth prime-minister on Tuesday, and now you are no more of this world. Respect!
My mother in law shares the same birth year as Your Majesty. It seems the generation of 1926 was endowed with a great sense of loyalty, grace, dutifulness and steely resolve to move onward regardless of strife, sorrow or mishap. Thank you for being exemplary and honourworthy and soft enough that we quietly also said Queen Lilibeth.
Today we woke up to a world where you no longer reside.
May Your Majesty’s forever be blessed in abundance
Sincerely
Me and my house.
Lekkervurigeaffêre 
Beautiful, in Memorium. I also remember many things about the queen and South Africa. There were many people talking on the radio about the visits of her majesty to NZ.
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Yes, this is really sad, the end of an era. Oh, and Queen Lilibet, I just wanted to say: don’t take to heart the utterances of a certain radical political party in South Africa – they hold about 10% of the votes after many years of trying to get a foot in the door – the other 90% are mourning the passing of a great head of state.
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They are not allowed in any headspace. So they can utter and stutter whatever….😉
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Net so!
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Mooi geskryf. 🌸
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Dankie🌻
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Sy was n ware dame. My kinders in Engeland se die land is in rou. Groot resepvolle stilte vir n ongelooflike vrou
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Thank you for this refreshing tribute. I do not have the stomach nor the staying power to watch the endless pomp and circumstance – my husband absorbs enough for both of us – but Queen Elizabeth’s devotion to duty was remarkable.
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Just finished watching the service at Windsor. Her life and devotion an example to all.
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I love your open-heartedness to ER II. Our history in South Africa was for a long time bordering on hostility to England. She is not to blame for the Boer War, nor for the atrocities of the colonial era. She was a strong, gentle soul. Your appreciation and (complex) history is appreciated. – willem
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I grew up in Swaziland. Found South Africa a stange place. I remember the colony days and vividly remember the independence celebrations. King Sobuza and his gaurd in their red and black swathes and shields. Magical days. I agree that QE II cannot carry the weight of history, all countries have their own burdens. Free choice will do that. .
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