Changing of the Crown

 

An era came to an end in a Scottish castle in Aberdeenshire on Thursday, September 8th this year. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth Realms, died in the place she loved best, Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands. The first British monarch to die in Scotland.

The late Queen saw enormous changes in the world from the time she became Queen on February 6, 1952 following the death of her father, the former Duke of York,  King George VI. She was Queen Regnant of 32 sovereign states during her lifetime, that shrank to 15 at the time of her death.

She met dozen of Presidents, Prime Ministers and other public figures. Saw the Moon Landings in 1969, numerous wars and conflicts, recessions, booms and technological advances, including the birth of the computer age. She saw her own family's personal issues become fodder for the press and public and through it all maintained per poise, dignity and command of any situation. She was a symbol, however old fashioned by today's standards (which frankly isn't saying much about said standards) of stability, continuity, morality and compassion. 

She will be greatly missed.