My mother died when she was 98. A great age and yet it came as a shock to me. I thought she would go on for ever. When the Queen Mother died Prince Charles was interviewed and he said the same thing. Logically it makes no sense but the truth is we have had a parent/father/mother with you for so long it is unimaginable to think what life would be without them and I know that though it was clear my mother was slowly failing, I thought she would be fine. So when I heard the news of the Duke's death this morning I was shocked and deeply upset.
The Queen and Prince Phillip have been with me all my life. Just like those who knew only the reign of Queen Victoria and had never known anybody else on the throne and it is as though a part of one's life is taken away now they are no longer there. It has been clear for some months that the Duke of Edinburgh was likely to leave us sooner rather than later, but somehow I thought he would get better. He has done it so often…
I had a small personal experience of meeting with Prince Phillip. It was in Malta. My father was in the army and we were stationed there and it was before she ascended to the throne and Princess Elizabeth was living on the island. I am a bit hazy about the exact date – I think I have it right but I admit I am not totally sure, I only know I was very young.
The Prince was there playing a polo match with Lord Mountbatten and it was all very exciting though as a small child I did not really understand much of it. There was a break during the match and I pushed and shoved my way through to the front and stood near the ropes and there was Prince Phillip about a yard away. He turned and took a drink from somebody and looked around as he wanted to get something out of his pocket and said "here hold my horse's reins will you for a moment" and handed them to me. I took them and after half a minute he took them back, smiled at me and said "thankyou". I fell in love on the spot and have had an affection for him ever since. He was spectacularly handsome and even at that young age I responded to it.
A newsreader tonight referred to Her Majesty as the Widow of WIndsor just as Queen Victoria was and the saddest thing about this is that when Albert died the Queen said "there is nobody to call me Victoria now" which always gave me a lump in my throat.
Being a Queen is a lonely job and now there is nobody to call her Lilibet any more….
How will she manage? But she will and she knows that we all admire and love her and wish her strength.
With respect and affection
Elaine
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