In remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II and our visit to London 2005

 Good morning everyone. A little look back today prompted by recent events. 

On Friday morning, 9 September, we woke to the news that Queen Elizabeth II had died at her Balmoral estate in Scotland on Thursday 8 September 2022. 

At 96 years of age I guess it wasn't unexpected but still a shock wave reveberated all around the world. In the last couple of days we have seen and read many tributes to the Queen. She was also the Queen of Australia and we have been following events on the TV.  The Queen will be remembered with respect by thousands for her life of dedication and service to her role and the Commonwealth. A long life well lived.

I am will be watching the various services and parades in her honour on television here in Australia.

Queen Elizabeth came to Australia 16 times, with 7 visits to Western Australia where I live. I remember in 1963 standing along on the highway from the Perth Airport to Perth city with crowds of people all waving our little flags as she and Prince Phillip drove past in their motocade I am sure my Dad has a photo somewhere. This is probably the only time I have seen her in person, even though fleeting. 

Of course, The Queen has always been a constant presence in our life and the only British Monarch most of us have known. When I was in Primary School all the classrooms had a photo of her on the wall, and we sang God Save the Queen every morning. 

Here is a link from Australian ABC - an interesting look back over The Queen's life and times: www.abc.net.au

The anniversary of The Queen's 70 year reign was 6 February 2022 and her Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in June with much pomp and ceremony that the British do so well. We watched some of it on the TV. Over the years we have seen, heard, read on the media, and followed the royal family through happy times and sad.

As I don't personally have photos of Queen Elizabeth, I will share some photos from our one and only trip to London way back in 2005  so long ago. We really enjoyed seeing in person what we had seen for so many years only in the media. I recall it being cold even in July when it was supposed to be summer! 

We went to Buckingham Palace with hundreds of others to see the Changing of the Guards. Of course there is a "changing of the guard" now as King Charles III begins his reign. 

The Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. 

The Mall along which the funeral cortage with the Queens coffin draped in the Royal Standard and laying on a gun carriage will travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on 14 September and then back via the Mall to Wellginton Arch on Monday after the funeral.  The last pic is view of Buckingham Palace from St James Park. The Queen will lay in state at Westminster Hall until the funeral and people will be able to view her coffin.. 

Westminister Abbey where The Queen's funeral will be held on Monday 19 September 2022.  The Abbey is the historic church where Britain's kings and queens are crowned, including the Queen's coronation in 1953, and where she married Prince Philip in 1947. The door between the tall towers on the right hand photo is where the funeral cortage will enter for the Queen's funeral on Monday 19 September 2022. 

The Royal Mews where they keep the carriages. The enlarged pic is the Horse Guards parade ground where you see the Trooping of the Colour, most recently at the Queens Patinum Jubilee celebrations. 

This is the gold State Coach. It has been used at royal coronations, jubilees, and events since it was built in 1762. It weighs 4 tonnes and is made of giltwood, which is a thin layer of gold leaf over wood. 

Wellington Arch - sorry for the back view - the photo was taken from our tour bus. The Queen's coffin carried on a gun carriage will be taken from Westminister Abbey after her funeral via the Mall, past Buckingham Palace and then onto Wellington Arch where her coffin will be transferred to a herse to be taken to Windsor Castle. 

Windsor Castle - one of the Queen's homes and her retreat. The Committal Service will be held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle where Prince Phillip currently lays. The Queen will then be laid to rest with Prince Phillip, her mother and father, and her sister Margaret. You can see St George's Chapel on the left hand side of the main image below. 

Prince William, Princess Kate and their children recently moved to Windsor, where they are now living in Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Castle estate. 

Kensington Palace and gardens and the Princess Diana memorial fountain in Hyde Park. 

The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben clock on the River Thames

Admiralty Arch leading into Trafalgar Square

This photo of St James Park in the summer always makes me smile. The thousands of floral tributes  being laid in front of Buckingham Palace are being taken at the end of each day to Green Park, which is on the opposite side of the Mall to St James Park, and laid under the trees there. Some time after the flowers were collected and made into mulch for the garden. I am glad they weren't wasted. 

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to look over my offering in remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II and our London visit. Have you ever seen the Queen? Perhaps you would like to tell us about it in your comments. 

I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
   

MosaicMonday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf
Sharon's Sovenirs 
Our World Tuesday
Pictorial Tuesday 
ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu

Picture Perfect Party

Thankful Thursday 
Welcome to Nature Thursday

Skywatch Friday

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