First of all, we would like to extend a sincere thanks to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of House Windsor (1926-2022, and reigned 1952-2022). Her Majesty the Queen was loved by millions, and her tireless work and unfailing duty to the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and former British Empire touched the hearts of countless peoples. We at London History Taxi Tours wish to thank you Ma’am for your commitment and service.
It has of course been a weird time, adapting our tour’s stories within the wider context of eras: transitioning from the second Elizabethan era to Carolean era. The epoch of a new era does not usually immediately become evident, but in the instance of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing and the succession of Charles III it was indeed so. The large turnouts for on well-wishers and grateful fans of the Queen lined the stretches of London’s streets and Southbank reached miles to visit Her Majesty lying in state at Westminster Hall – the longest remaining part of the Houses of Parliament, built in the 11th century during the reign of William II (Rufus). Thousands, millions of people flocked to London for the funeral and visit Buckingham Palace grounds at the site of the old gardens of Whitehall Palace. It is estimated that 32.5 million people in the United Kingdom switched on their televisions to watch the funeral and it is unknown how many more watched from across the seas. It was evident how well loved the Queen was, within the borders of the British territory and across the world.
But since the funerals and state-mourning period, there has been many ways in which the British people witness transition, ranging from the official release of the royal cypher, the new mint – the coinage depicting His Majesty Charles III and in many more. For us, it is the transition of now referring to “THE KING” and no longer the Queen. I, the author in writing, for example, have on numerous occasions begun to tell guests of the differentiation of the City of London and Greater London (London) and how this involves the monarchy, yet I have found myself multiple times saying the Queen.
It has not completely set in yet for many, but it of course will become normalised. The Queen ruled throughout all or most of the lives of the vast majority of the British public, and it is nothing short of “weird” to have a King and no longer Her Majesty.
Times change, but the history and remnants of days, achievements and affections past are remembered.