September 8th 2022, a date we’ll probably never forget and a day we will always remember what we were doing when we heard the news. But just in case I do forget……

I was driving the van at lunchtime, picking up a couple of dogs for their afternoon walk. My phone pinged with a BBC Breaking News story and I could see the headline in my notification bar saying the Queen was ill. A couple of minutes later Leanne messaged me to say that the Queen was really ill and to look at the news. As soon as I got back up to Motsi’s Meadow and let all the dogs out the van, I started to read the BBC News updates.

A sudden sense of dread came over me as I was reading that all the family members were travelling to Balmoral to be with the Queen. I knew that this was serious and had a feeling that she had either died already or was going to die very soon. Walking round the fields with the dogs I became really emotional, I loved the Queen and did not want this to be the end. Only two days prior she was on the news appointing the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss.

For the rest of the afternoon I just kept checking the BBC News for updates. I got home from work, fed the dogs and the moment I sat down on the sofa, around 6pm, it was announced, THE QUEEN HAD DIED! I shouted to Leanne in the kitchen “OMG She’s actually died”. Even though I thought this was going to happen, hearing those words was still a complete shock. Both in tears, we sat in silence whilst listening to the news. I was, as was most of the nation, devastated.

This was such an historical moment for the UK. Anyone under the age of 70 has only ever known the Queen, and because of the importance of this, I felt compelled to watch every bit of news coverage as I could. I literally spent the next 10 days watching the news. I have never cried so many times over a person I’ve not met before. I thought the Queen was an amazing person and the work she did for the Commonwealth was fantastic. I was sad for her family, her pets and the country. At a time when politically the UK is in a mess, we have now lost the best Head of State any country could wish for. It is the end of an era.

There were a few standout moments for me over the period of mourning. The first being the day the Queens coffin left Balmoral. This was the first time we had seen the coffin and it was a chilling moment that gave me goosebumps. It really hit home at this point that she was gone. I sat there with intermittent tears and watched for hours as the Queen traveled through beautiful Scotland from Balmoral to Holyroodhouse. It was amazing to see so many people lining the roads, especially poignant the row of tractors and later the riders on horses. Totes emosh.

The next standout moment for me was when the Queens coffin moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. The march and the music was so dramatic and somber.

When the coffin was at Westminster, where the Queen lay in State for 4 days, we saw hundreds of thousands of people queuing for hours to pay their respects. Possibly the most memorable moment, was when King Charles III, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Princess Anne, stood vigil for 15 minutes around the coffin. This was such a powerful statement and the image of the King standing there will be one I think I will always remember.

On the day of the funeral, it was such a long day and I felt for the King and the rest of the family having to do so much standing and marching, it can’t have been easy. The moment the procession started, when the Queens coffin lay on the gun carriage and the Navy pulled her along, ooof that gave me chills.

Then finally, and one of the most emotional moments of the whole day, was seeing the Queens horse Emma, standing alone with her trainer, on the drive way in to Windsor Castle. The Queens headscarf draped over her saddle. Such a touching tribute, along with two of her Corgis waiting outside the gate. I always feel so sad for animals when they lose their owner 😦

After watching 10 days of news and following every moment of the Queens last journey, I was feeling emotionally drained. It got me thinking though, I had never met the Queen or even seen her with my own eyes in the flesh. Absolutely gutted. I had always hoped I would meet her one day. This then reminded me of a wedding I went to when I was 4 years old. Well I don’t actually remember anything about the wedding as I was too young, except for being incredibly thirsty as the only thing to drink was champagne, buck fizz or orange juice, and I did not like orange juice!

The wedding I attended with my parents and siblings, was the wedding of Laura Greig and James Lonsdale, on 18th July 1984 (thanks Google). My dad used to work for Laura’s parents, Sir Carron Greig and his wife. He was their gardener. Laura Greig on occasion had been my babysitter when she was younger. Laura was at the time of her wedding, Princess Diana’s Lady in Waiting. Guests at the wedding of Laura and James included Princess Diana, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret! So, I may not have met the Queen but I did meet the Queens mother. The wedding was held at St James Palace and when King Charles III was there being proclaimed, it reminded me of the wedding! I recognised the Palace from a picture we have (see below). I am sure it was an amazing experience, I just wish I had been a little bit older to have appreciated it and actually be able to remember.

So now we move into a new era, King Charles III. There will never be another Queen in our lifetime and for many years to come. Will I still love the Royal Family as much? I am not sure just yet, we will have to see how things change. I would prefer it if King Charles was to abdicate and let Prince William become King, but for me it was all about The Queen.

It will never be the same.