QUEEN ELIZABETH II: A LIFE OF DUTY AND DEVOTION.

By Faith Berewa

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: Members of the Royal Family bade a final goodbye to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll after a private burial ceremony in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, Windsor Castle, attended by family members.

The State funeral held earlier in the day in the Westminster Abbey was an unprecedented gathering of world leaders and dignitaries, a testament to her huge impact on the world stage. The procession to the Abbey and then to Windsor was a spectacle: Pageantry at its best. Thousands lined the streets from Westminster to Windsor,

Her funeral was watched by hundreds of millions around the world with analysts saying the funeral could turn out to be the most watched event in history, while days leading up to her funeral saw tens of thousands brave the rain and cold to queue for hours, first at St. Giles Cathedral at Edinburgh and then at Westminster Hall London to pay their respects and mourn the monarch that transformed the monarchy and was such a constant presence in their lives.

The only monarch many knew. A Stability in an uncertain world. She dominated the airwaves after her death with media organizations from all over the world competing and out doing each other for every space of airwave from the moment she passed on. Such was her influence and impact. It’s incredible that the Queen ascended the throne when Winston Churchill was the British Prime Minister! Her reign spanned 15 prime ministers.

The last, she asked to form a government just two days before her death; the images of her meeting new PM Liz Truss, her last function as Sovereign. She met 13 of the last 14 United States Presidents, going back to Harry Truman!

Her 70 year reign was the longest by any British monarch. “It must have been so difficult for her being a solitary woman, and there weren’t women Prime Ministers or women Presidents, she was the only one, so I think she carved her own role,” the queen consort said in her tribute to the Queen.Her life was one of duty, devotion, sacrifice and service. A testament to the pledge she made in Cape Town at the tender age of 21. “…I declare before you that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service…”

In February, in a message marking 70 years on the throne, she reaffirmed the promise signing off with: “Your servant Elizabeth R”. She never stopped. Not even in her later years after the death of her beloved husband of seventy three years, going back to official duties not long after. neither her mobility issues in recent months nor the fact she had covid as recently as February stopped her.

Despite scaling back on official duties she carried on as much as she could. She was steadfast in her commitment to duty and service. “She was the rock on which modern Britain was built” said new Prime Minister Liz Truss, moments after her death was made public.Her life, her influence, her legacy; an inspiration to us all. Rest in Peace Your Majesty, and, Thank you Ma’am.