Like millions of people across the globe, I was saddened by the death of our beloved Queen. After 30 years in her Kingdom and producing two British citizens, yes, I do feel she was my Queen, and I know many non-British citizens felt the same way too. We appreciated her reassuring presence. She
offered permanence in an ever-changing and complex world. She was "The" Queen, as Emmanuel Macron said.
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For 70 years, she served and was nothing but kind to every single person she met. Most people don't realise how much she worked. I can't even describe how respectful I am of the fact that, at 96, as
her body was shutting down, she mustered the strength to welcome the Prime Minister with a smile. What a lesson!
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Allow me to rant a little now. I have no problem with people being against having a monarchy. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and tastes, and I respect that. However, I don't like
people being disrespectful at a moment of grief for a family and millions of people. I have seen some reposting on Instagram of grievances against the Queen because she symbolised the British Empire and all its faults. All I would say is that this is really not the time and frankly that's bad manners. Reposting is just lazy righteousness.
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Anyway, instead of wasting time with people criticising the Royal Family in their time of grief, I'd rather cheer the Scouts who noticed discarded, but still pristine, food along the waiting line to Westminster Hall, started to quietly collect it and got in touch with a homeless charity that has been able to redistribute that food to ones who needed it. Hurray for the Scouts, these young people not sitting in their comfy chair reposting mindlessly on social
media to look righteous, but going out there to make a difference. Hats off to them! What better way to honour the Queen than by being of service?
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Rather than resenting the Queen for being privileged — no one chooses their birth — why not celebrate her because she was extraordinary despite being privileged? She leaves an incredible void and we will miss her. It's funny how we
thought she'd be here forever and we can't quite imagine that she's gone. She's given us a lesson in serving better, adapting and being kinder. Like Paddington Bear, I say, "Thank you Ma'am, for everything!"
