Vee...thank you for that suggestion. It looks delightful and I have ordered a copy.

An era has ended and I am saddened by the world's loss.

I read this book a while ago and loved it.

I am so sad about the Queen's passing. As Yoyobon said, this is truly the end of an era and we will not see her like again. I truly thought she'd go on to 100+ like her mother.

My condolences to you, Vee, and to all the people of the United Kingdom on the loss of your dear queen. As you can tell, it has affected so many of us personally all across the world. We are lucky to have been here for so much of her reign.

I am in mourning, also, as an anglophile. Her like will not be seen again. The new king has quite a lot to live up to. I was moved to see the double rainbow appear over the palace.

Although this was an event we had to expect, it was still a shock. This is the second change I have seen as I was around 14 and at school in England when her father died suddenly.

So many people have never known anyone else than the Queen as sovereign and have been asking many questions about coinage, stamps and passport legitimacy etc.!

What a sad shock, despite the Queen's age and health problems. It's so true that we won't see her like again, the world's loss. I had spent the night before visiting a friend in hospice care and near the end herself. I heard the news about the Queen shortly after I returned and watched the TV coverage til late at night. I plan to do much the same today. The double rainbow was remarkable at that moment and in that place. RIP, dear Elizabeth R.

I have the Alan Bennett book, Vee, and thoroughly enjoyed it when I read it.

The Queen visited Kentucky five times, staying at the horse farm where she boarded some horses. She attended the KY Derby in 2007 to the delight of the crowd and the city. I was 16 when she became Queen and once had a tour of Buckingham Palace and tea on the veranda. Didn't see her, though. I am another who greatly admired her.

I loved this book and often recommended it to customers at work, as it was both delightful and 'safe'.

I am saddened by the Queen's death but I am also happy that she went so quickly and without a deterioration in her mental capacity, which would have been awful for everyone. I hope she is with Philip as she believed.

From Facebook: The Queen stated that she wanted to see the coming of the Lord in her lifetime. When questioned why, she stated with quivering lips "That I may lay my crown down at His feet."

It was accompanied by a gorgeous picture of her wearing a jeweled crown. I know Facebook has everything, but I found this very touching.

I've been roundly ridiculed by the crown story on another site, and someone downloaded an article from a site called Bible Truth attributing the quote to Queen Victoria. https://bibletruthpublishers.com/i-s...ollock/la59793

Sorry, Carolyn I didn't believe it either but I wouldn't upset you by saying so! It was a sweet story whoever said it.

Whoever said it, it's a beautiful thought.

Thanks to you all for your kind thoughts. Although I cannot claim to be a totally staunch monarchist, in that I don't follow the day-to-day happenings of the Royal Family, write letters to the Queen, follow her to wherever she was visiting or own a collection of commemorative tea towels, mugs, plates etc I am very much aware of the importance within our democratic democracy of a non-political Head of State, a duty HM performed for so long with true devotion to the country and the Commonwealth.

I think the fact that she signed one of her latest addresses, on the occasion of her platinum jubilee . . . "from your Servant Elizabeth" sums it up.

There is a much longer thread over at the Kitchen Table site where it was nice to see so many (mostly Americans) mentioning there connections to the UK . . . a Scottish granny, an old family friend etc. Unfortunately it has gradually gone 'down-hill' with erroneous comments, especially from those of the "I read it in the Gossip-a-Go-Go magazine so it must be true" variety, Or, "Isn't 'The Crown' a documentary? Surely no inaccuracies there."

I saw all those negative comments at Kitchen Table and think it is such a shame that the tone deteriorated so quickly. It was that sort of nonsense that finished off the former Hot Topics forum. (The same individuals, mostly).

I also admired and respected the queen from afar. I'm sorry she is gone, but glad she went quickly without long suffering. The modern long death is not a good thing.

I fell in love with this lovely little story that shows a humorous side of her personality. I do so hope it is true!

https://twitter.com/davidmackau/status/1567894552744271872?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20220909&instance_id=71454&nl=the-morning&regi_id=104757627&segment_id=105787&te=1&user_id=6b5327aa0768306319db739d53c93f09&fbclid=IwAR2N45Iw0gBbndfPLcT5q_dOIJsisxMEMlR5hxy2OJL8YkeYuEAPU8B7lU8

Rosefolly - I too love that story about the queen.

I cannot wait to read it !!

I have just seen the bodyguard relating it. It was a true story.

I stayed up late to watch the Scottish Cathedral farewell service for the Queen on TV and put it on mute with subtitles for a while in case I disturbed anyone nearby but the predicted text was terrible with so many errors.

When the name of Richard Branson came up by mistake for something that must have sounded similar, I had to go back to listening with the sound on low. Normally I can laugh at subtitling mistakes but not on this solemn occasion.

Annpan, we are being shown the long long line of crowds making their way to and through St Giles Cathedral for the Lying-in-State of HM Queen. It was good to see the quiet dignified behaviour of everyone, with no jostling, no talking and thank goodness no cameras/phones. There are so many people there it will go on all night. Her four children have just been taking part in the vigil around her coffin, though I feel less intrusive camera shots would have been more appropriate.

As the Queen died at Balmoral her connections with Scotland are very much to the fore and for those of us who are unfamiliar with the Royal Company of Archers or the Royal Order of the Thistle it has all been explained.

Annpan, last night on TV a discussion prog. considered various aspects of Monarchy. One of the 'panel' was the Canadian High Commissioner who put forward a wide range of views from his country; 'for' versus 'against' etc. and felt the general consensus was that even for Canadians wanting 'change', they couldn't see an acceptable alternative and didn't want to go down the US Presidential route . . . so best to leave things as they were.

On the other hand long-time Guardian journalist Polly Toynbee said she hoped Elizabeth II would be Elizabeth the Last and that more and more people (especially the young) wanted the UK to become a republic. If we are to believe her, even now the barricades are being manned and the doors of the prisons thrown open!

What it must be like to dwell among the Hampstead intellectual-elite looking down from their glass bowls at us huddled masses waiting for 'freedom' to be bestowed upon us . . .

Republicanism gets raised here in Australia from time to time but no one has come up with a good alternative. There has been such a smooth transition (apart from troublesome pens and pen holders!) with people willing to stand for hours in the rain to farewell the Queen that I wonder if people in general would want all the problems of elected Heads of State.

I spent all night being shifted per TV from a thundery Perth WA to Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. The church services were very moving and the rituals and all that went on makes one realise what happens behind the scenes and was prepared for and rehearsed for years apparently.

Annpan, re preparation . . . They are expecting millions to arrive in London over the next few days and people are already queuing to get into Westminster Hall although they have been told to expect a 30 hour wait. Sensibly they will be provided with wrist-bands noting the time of arrival to allow visits to take 'comfort station' breaks for loos, food and drink etc. The radio has been interviewing folk cooking their breakfasts on the pavement, lunch tea and dinner to follow!

We can see all that happening! There is a non-stop coverage if you go to different TV stations! Our media personalities are in the UK and asking the usual questions including the one that annoys me the most "How do you feel...?"

At least the public are answering politely...mostly! I always have sympathy with those who respond sharply to stupid and intrusive questions.

Live footage of the Lying in State Westminster Hall with a queue nearly 4 miles long stretching way upstream along the River Thames. Everyone seems very quiet and respectful.

I notice there are a number of people passing through with walkers and electric scooter vehicles. I wonder if they have been given priority? It would be awkward for disabled people to have to queue for a long time.

I cannot stand for very long so I rarely go to anywhere that has a queue. However the line was short in the early morning at the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels were on display so we went for a viewing.

We had to move smartly around the display but were able to stand at a viewing platform for a longer look. They are truly magnificent.

Annpan, if you look to the right of the screen you will see that some people in wheel chairs etc are going 'against' the crowd. I believe there is a separate entrance for those needing assistance although many people with crutches and similar, or carrying tiny babies are in the main area so presumably have had a very long wait. I just saw one poor woman collapse in a heap, so possible the several hours standing/walking had proved too much for her.

I notice that one of the Archers standing vigil fainted. It must have hit him suddenly as I understand that any vigil watcher feeling faint is supposed to raise their head for a replacement to stand in. I hope there isn't a penalty.

I just began reading The Uncommon Reader and am enjoying it for the satire that it is.

I find no indication that this is based on actual events, however delightful that would be.

Ann, we saw the Crown Jewels in 2019. We toured the Tower one afternoon then went back right at opening time the next morning and made a bee-line for the exhibit. No waiting! 😊 The baptismal set was not there since baby Archie was being baptized that day. You are correct-they are magnificent and seeing them in person was wonderful.

Donna