CANADA CONNECTION: Farewell Queen Elizabeth II

CANADA’S HEAD OF STATE – It is my deepest regret to join fellow Canadians in mourning the death of our beloved Head of State, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was also the Head of State of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and 14 other commonwealth monarchies, and 54 independent countries.

As announced by the Royal family in a Twitter post, the Queen died peacefully at 96 years of age in her Scottish residence, Balmoral Castle, last Thursday afternoon (September 8, 2022).

Immediately following the Queen’s death, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly said “it is with the heaviest of hearts that we learned the passing of the longest reigning sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”.

For that reason, Queen Elizabeth II will be accorded with a commemorative funeral service, PM Trudeau reportedly disclosed, saying “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I express our condolences to the Royal Family during this most difficult time”.

All other heads of leading nations around the world, including US Pres. Joe Biden, Pope Francis, France President Emmanuel Macron, newly appointed British Prime Minister Liz Truss, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Queen’s Representative in Canada Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, and Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, among others, also sent their respective tributes and messages of sympathy to the Royal Family as they recall the legacy, character, charisma, and compassionate personality of the Queen, who was Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, born in Mayfair, London on April 21, 1926.

Even Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin expressed his condolence to the Royal Family despite the sour relationship between Russia and United Kingdom.

Report have it that Canada flag, having the red maple leaf emblem, is now flown at half-mast in all federal buildings, offices, military installations, and government and non-goverment establishments inside Canada and commonwealth countries abroad, as the days of mourning is being observed, and the Peace Tower in Ottawa is lighted in royal blue.

Prime Minister Trudeau said the Queen was among his “favorite people in the world”, while Gov. Gen. Simon has expressed her “deepest condolences”, saying all Canadians will mourn her(Queen) loss.

As they squeezed out their feeling of sadness, Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby offered their fervent prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of Queen Elizabeth II, whose remains lie in state at the Buckingham Palace where hundreds gathered to lay flowers, sign the condolence card to manifest their sympathy to the Royal Family, and pay tribute to the Queen. Internment is expected to be held on September 19.

US President Biden recalled the solidarity of the Queen during their darkest days triggered by the terrorists attacks of the twin towers of World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, where almost 3,000 people perished.

Prime Minister Macron of France said the Queen was a “kind hearted queen”, and the “friend of France”.

Recently appointed Prime Minister Truss said Queen Elizabeth II was the rock upon which modern Britain was built.

Indeed, her motherly charisma and inimitable leadership and legacy rhyme commonly in the messages of the world leaders and her ardent adherents.

Reportedly crowned at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953 at 27 yrs. of age, Queen Elizabeth II has served the throne for 70 years wherein she had received admiration, respect, and profound loyalty from the people of the United Kingdom and around the world.

She is survived by Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward together with 8 grand children and 12 great grand children.

As the eldest, traditionally, Prince Charles, 73, automatically ascended to the throne as King Charles III with her wife Camilla as the Queen Consort.

Farewell our beloved Queen Elizabeth II, my family fervently pray for your eternal peaceful rest in the Kingdom of our Heavenly Father.* (Dan Cajurao)