If I am truly honest I never thought I would be affected so much by the death of a person I have never met (though I did meet her husband). That said, I did swear an oath of allegiance to her in April 1981.
At the time I thought it was just so I could join Her Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) but after joining I realised how much that oath meant not just to me but to my fellow servicemen and women.
A tri-service oath that we believed in and as Cold War Warriors we faced odds that we treated with a contempt for an allegedly far superior enemy (but in truth I’m convinced we’d have kicked their arse)
HMAF was our lives and we lived it hard! We drank (true story, we were probably the fittest alcoholics ever ! 🙄 ) We smoked, we partied and all in the name of HM The Queen. My god, they even paid us and promoted us! She even sent me to the United States for a two week jolly so I could get a new set of golf clubs.
Your Majesty, your death hangs heavy with those of us who served you. If you had asked me but a year ago how I would feel about your death I am sure that I would have felt the same as I do now.
RIP Boss, you served us as much as we served you and I will always remember you with love and fondness.
Queen Elizabeth was a remarkable woman. She lead Great Britain well as your Queen. Many around the world morn her passing with you! It's amazing how many times God places the right people to lead when most needed. Even though I never served her as you did, I understand what you are going through right now. May her memory reign throughout history.
Your words and the story are exquisite! I understand the feelings of your countrymen far better for having read this, and I thank you for that. I was always in awe of her selflessness, grace and charm.
Lovely words Phil. I had to swear an oath to the Queen when I became an NZ citizen, seemed odd at the time, being British. I’m happy I did though. Our royal family is the one time I feel truly British these days. Usually I describe myself as a kiwi
What a wonderful send off for a wonderful monarch. Lots of memories from our RAF days. I met the Queen twice and my daughter had a chat to her as she was leaving RAF Benson on a Queens flight aircraft.
My kids nearly got skittled while they were watching King Charles (then Prince Charles) play polo at Happy Valley in Cyprus. He lost control of his horse and it galloped into the spectators.
Princess Anne parked her helicopter in front of our house on the sports field next to the Officers Mess at RAF Henlow.
So many fond memories.
One thing the Brits are good at and that is giving someone a good send off and the Queen's funeral is no exception. RIP Ma'am
I am very much a royalist but I was still shocked at how much I was affected by her death too. Yesterday was such a moving day and I was amazed at how well it all ran.
My kids nearly got skittled while they were watching King Charles (then Prince Charles) play polo at Happy Valley in Cyprus. He lost control of his horse and it galloped into the spectators.
Princess Anne parked her helicopter in front of our house on the sports field next to the Officers Mess at RAF Henlow.
So many fond memories.
One thing the Brits are good at and that is giving someone a good send off and the Queen's funeral is no exception. RIP Ma'am