Family t s

“Thinking back to our meal for our crownthemed Platinum Jubilee, my earliest memory of hearing about the Queen was from my grandmother, Rita Nana (she was my nana who didn’t cook, but told stories). She would often regale me with tales of a bygone era – ‘the good old days’, as she put it. Stories of her own childhood, the antics her brothers would get up to, my grandfather and their love story, the war and more. And, being an Anglo-indian from that era, she would invariably go on to stories about the Queen and England, and how she was going to visit her soon.

It was cute, how she spoke about the Queen. As a child, I thought Nana was a personal friend of hers. The Queen was loved, respected and admired by many across the globe, dedicating her entire life to duty, sacrifice, country and beyond, all while presiding with dignity, grace and her legendary sense of humour. She was an example to many women across generations and countries, who juggled work, family and their own lives, and she will be missed by all who hold her in esteem. And, of course, all those whose grandmas ‘knew her’. To quote Paddington Bear, ‘Thank you Ma’am, for everything.’” Natasha Garrett Mccoo, Essex