Queen Elizabeth died peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday afternoon, surrounded by her family. The news was announced later that day and immediately people from across the UK came together to support each other. Thousands of people went to Buckingham palace to pay tribute to the Queen. By 8:00 in the evening, crowds stretched for over a mile from Buckingham Palace. (why do you think so many people went to Buckingham Palace? Did they know the Queen?)
King Charles III (who is King Charles III? When was King Charles II?) said in a statement,
"The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We morn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, mu family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."
Queen Elizabeth was known for being a "constant" in the lives of British people. (what does that mean?) She was seen as being a constant figure - never changing as Britain changed around her. This gave people a sense of stability and comfort. (how does that give people stability - what does stability mean?)
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning monarch in history, reigning for 70 years (who / when was Queen Elizabeth I?) She has been Queen for 15 Prime ministers. This photo shows her with (ask the children if they know) Winston Churchill (When was Winston Churchill Prime Minister? Ask the children who the other people are in the photo).
Journalist Jonathan Freedland says, "Everything has changed since the day in 1952 when she inherited the throne (ask the children what has changed) That country.... and this one would not recognise each other. The one thing they have - had- in common was her."
If your great grandma was born in 1945, her Queen was the same as yours - you and your great grandma had the same queen even though everything else about the life of your great grandma and you is completely different. For everyone in this school hall, and for most people living today, the Queen has been the Queen for our entire lives. (Is there any other living person you can think of who everyone has known for 70 years?)
Today people across the UK and the world will be remembering and paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Many people will feel a great loss, but some will also wish to celebrate her long life and give thanks for the service she gave. Look at the people in the photo outside Buckingham Palace - what do you notice about them? Are they all the same? Same skin, gender, do you think they all practice the same religion, have the same families? What does this show about people today and their response to the death of the Queen?
Let us all have a moment of silence while we think about what the Queen meant to us. Perhaps children might like to share memories of the Queen or of our Jubilee celebrations this year. Our thoughts today are with her family.
With thanks to Jonathan Freedland https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/08/the-queens-death-will-shake-this-country-deeply-she-was-a-steady-centre-amid-constant-flux
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