A memorable and fitting farewell for a much-loved monarch

FEW who witnessed it, whether in person or on television, will forget yesterday’s stirring ceremonies as the nation and the world bid a final farewell to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

All will treasure memories of moments – beautiful, ceremonial, emotional – which captured the spirit of the occasion.

From the lone lament of a piper on a balcony in Westminster Abbey at the close of the funeral service, to the sight of Emma, the monarch’s fell pony, standing as the ceremonial procession passed up the Long Drive of Windsor Castle. From the state hearse festooned with flowers thrown by roadside well-wishers, and the personal note from the new King amid blooms on the royal coffin, to the sound of the bearer party’s footsteps marching in time up the steps of St George’s Chapel.

Amid all the grandeur and spectacle, the funeral shared by millions around the globe felt like a personal goodbye from one and all to our late Queen, who fulfilled her promise to dutifully serve our nation and beyond throughout her reign.

On the eve of her funeral, Buckingham Palace released an unseen portrait of the Queen taken by photographer Ranald Mackechnie. The photograph (right), taken in May ahead of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, shows the monarch beaming brightly at the camera in her Windsor Castle home.

It captures much of her character, the ‘twinkle in her eye’ described by those who knew or met her.

In yesterday’s sermon at Westminster Abbey, the Archbishop of Canterbury said she “was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives”.

The qualities she possessed made her such an admired public figure – but they were qualities which not only commanded respect, but also won our affection.

Many feel a very real sense of connection with the Queen, even if they have never met her.

Yesterday we united to reflect on the Queen’s life and to mourn her passing. Just as the celebrations for landmark years of her reign were fervently and earnestly marked, her funeral and period of mourning illustrated the genuine depth of feeling for not just the Queen as an individual, but the monarchy as a whole.

Now that period of mourning is at an end, and we move forward. Farewell Ma’am.