QUEEN ELIZABETH II Treasured & adored by us

The Queen touched us all in profound, joyous ways. Here, GH’S team members share their memories and thoughts – with sadness, great pride and affection

Loved through the generations

There aren’t many people that you can say have been there at every stage of your life. A constant presence, often unnoticed in our day-to-day, Queen Elizabeth II was that person. I never met her, but, looking back, there she is, in the background of some of my most cherished memories.

As a child, I remember sipping tea from my nan’s best china, which she kept in a big brown Victorian cabinet in the corner of her dining room. I knew it was special as it had a picture of The Queen on it. Nan taught me to stick my little finger out as I took a sip and not to spill anything on the saucer. A staunch royalist, she wouldn’t hear a bad word said about Her Majesty, and when she died, she left me that slightly chipped Coronation tea set, which I treasure to this day.

As a young woman, I celebrated The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in Hyde Park with my two best friends from school. We spent a magical day (and night) watching the first Party at the Palace, cheering when Brian May suddenly appeared on the roof, then drunkenly singing Hey Jude, arm in arm, all the way home (Sir Paul Mccartney had closed the concert with it). It left me feeling like anything was possible and having Queen Elizabeth II as our monarch was a big part of that.

I returned to Party at the Palace earlier this year, one of 10,000 people lucky enough to win tickets in the public ballot. Older, and hopefully wiser, I celebrated The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with my partner, and we made sure we had lunch to line our stomachs beforehand.

The Queen wasn’t there, her health already a concern, but the feeling of national pride and love for her that night, and over the whole Jubilee weekend, was truly unforgettable and will stay with me for ever. Thank you, Ma’am, for always being there.

EMMA JUSTICE DEPUTY EDITOR

We will miss you so much

As a news reporter with the Press Association, one of my most memorable stories was a brief sail on the Royal Yacht Britannia as she made her last journey up the River Thames in November 1997 before being decommissioned. It was quite surreal to be standing on the deck where the Royal Family had so often been pictured, and having their vantage point. Thousands of people lined the sides of the Thames that day, and there was even a special

moment when Tower Bridge was raised so we could pass under it. However, the press were not allowed close to the private quarters that the Royal Family had so recently vacated. I imagined them being opulent, like some kind of super yacht. Earlier this year, I visited Britannia at her new home in Edinburgh and was able to see all of the once private rooms. It was touching to peer into what had once been The Queen’s cabin, with a pretty floral bedspread and simple furniture. Not luxurious at all. Just comfortable, practical, reliable. Just like The Queen herself, really, who we will miss so much. JACKIE BROWN FEATURES DIRECTOR

My childhood delight

Since she acceded to the throne, The Queen was a constant presence in the lives of British people. Her youth and glamour during the 1950s made her a superstar, eclipsing Hollywood icons of the time and thrusting her into the lenses of photographers. She lived her whole life in front of cameras and is one of the most photographed women in history.

As a child in the 1980s, I remember seeing her in a Rolls-royce near my house. The car slowed down so the children could see her; she smiled and waved. Even from my early years, I could recognise The Queen, as her image was depicted on currency and stamps.

The Queen’s image has been captured by the most talented photographers and artists. Cecil Beaton, who photographed The Queen many times, took her official Coronation picture; one of my favourites. Her radiant smile and bold outfit choices were captivating. Queen Elizabeth II’S iconic image will remain a lasting testament to her outstanding reign. LAURA BECKWITH GROUP PICTURE DIRECTOR

She was The Queen of Kindness

‘The cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine,’ The Queen once said in her Christmas message. She spoke of the value of doing little things with love and of being inspired by others. But the truth is, the biggest inspiration in that respect was The Queen herself.

While known for her stoic nature, her kindness shone through – she visited those who endured immense hardship and took time to speak to people from all walks of life. Prince William praised her kindness at home. ‘The Queen’s kindness and sense of humour, her innate sense of calm and perspective, and her love of family and home are all attributes I experience first-hand,’ he said.

I’ve heard about it first-hand, too – from those I’ve interviewed. Anita Rani described how The Queen calmed her by being ‘so disarmingly warm’ at the Queen’s Young Leaders Award ceremony, while Joanna Lumley shared how The Queen helped overawed surgeon David Nott who was suffering a panic attack at a Buckingham Palace lunch by insisting he feed her corgis. If there’s one thing I hope we carry forward, it’s The Queen’s enduring spirit of kindness. NATHALIE WHITTLE GROUP CELEBRITY DIRECTOR

Remarkable and one-of-a-kind

I was at the Millennium Dome on the evening the calendar ticked into the year 2000. My sister had entered a competition and the prize was for our family to attend. We were seated close to The Queen – I barely had to use the zoom on my camera to see the detailing on her coat or her interest in the performers. I have hundreds of photos of the evening, but most are of her; it felt so special to be witness to her dignified presence.

Her steadfast presence has been a constant thread in all our lives, and I have extreme admiration for her loyalty, duty to the Crown and her people, and her ability to hold her tongue. A truly remarkable, one-of-a-kind lady.

MEIKE BECK COOKERY DIRECTOR

A legacy for future generations

The Queen loved the outdoors, a passion I share. It’s such a fitting tribute, that to mark her Platinum Jubilee, The Queen’s Green Canopy (queens greencanopy.org) initiative encourages people to plant trees in her honour.

At a time when we understand the importance of trees, forests and woodlands in securing for ourselves a sustainable future, this tree-planting tribute to Her Majesty is a meaningful and poignant part of her legacy, from which future generations will benefit. EMILIE MARTIN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIRECTOR