A King’s Reign Begins

Friday, September 9, 2022

I’m still in shock.

I’m watching the BBC coverage of the day's events following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and it doesn't seem real.

While doing my food shopping this morning, I got a couple of newspapers commemorating the past day's events.

The nation is in mourning.  The second Elizabethan age has come to a close.

Our new King is seventy-three years old, the oldest King we’ve had to ascend to the throne.  

While watching The King’s car make its way from RAF Northolt, where he landed after a short flight from Aberdeenshire, I’m emotional.  People are lining the streets, and some can be seen waving from their cars.

King Charles looked a bit uncomfortable when he was first in the Royal sovereign’s limousine because it's been his Mum’s, The Queen’s, until now.

I know not everyone is a Royalist or approves of the Monarchy here in the UK, but my dad was in the British Army for twenty-two years, and the Queen was effectively my dad’s boss for all those years.

I remember seeing The Queen in Germany at the Barracks where my dad was stationed when she visited.  I also recall watching the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981 while we were on holiday here in the UK.  We were at my auntie's home, an exciting time with a party atmosphere.  My brother and I made a scrapbook to mark the event, with mine still at my mum's.

As The King exited the car at Buckingham Palace, the crowd cheered and shouted, "God save the King!” I shed a few tears over.  He went straight to meet his public, with the crowd dozens deep.  

Sporadic shouts of “God save the King” continued. He's shaking as many hands as possible, and a short and impromptu singing of our new national anthem, God save our King, started.

One lady was able to give a sneaky kiss and hug to King Charles!

Hip, hip, hooray, cheers went up as King Charles, and Queen Camilla looked at the flowers outside the Palace. Before a few more waves from them both, they made their way in through the main gates. 

King Charles III will give his first address to the nation and world at 6 pm local time, almost twenty-four hours after the news was announced publicly of his mother's death.