It was the relatively simple wreath that I was most drawn to during the pomp and splendor of extensive early hours BBC World news coverage of the largest and most extraordinary ceremonial occasion in my lifetime as a dual national British born American.
I felt a little guilty for those who'd camped out throughout a cold night in London and Windsor as a nation came together to pay respects to the country's longest serving monarch in history. With an eight hour time difference, I was propped up in my bed with a pile of fluffy pillows, lights off, TV on, my cat, Moxie curled at my feet and my dog, Rosie snoring contentedly in the family room next door.
While California slept, London revealed its deep and ancient history, heritage and sense of national pride. I'd set my alarm for 2.45 am but I couldn't sleep with the knowledge of all that was unfolding around Westminster and Buckingham Palace.
And so I ditched the plan for a couple of hours of a pre-service power sleep and settled in to full immersion of the glorious and engrossing 21st Century coverage.
English Oak — stately and unique, its distinctive leaves woven into the beautiful floral wreath that graced the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II during her flawless state funeral on Monday, September 19th, 2022. Her coffin, born on the shoulders of the Grenadier Guards (one of the most senior regiments of the British Army, dating back to 1656) seemed to me quintessential Elizabeth with its dazzling crown, orb, sceptre and a hand written note from her son, King Charles III.
At King Charles’s request, this lovely and sustainable wreath on top of the Queen’s coffin contained fresh flowers and foliage from the royal properties of London's Buckingham Palace and Clarence House and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, affixed in a nest of English moss and oak branches.
The gorgeous and feminine wreath also featured myrtle, the ancient symbol of a happy marriage, cut from a plant grown from a sprig of myrtle in the then Princess Elizabeth's wedding bouquet in 1947. Rosemary, symbol of remembrance along with English oak, a national symbol of strength, a nod to the Queen’s steadfast duty and constancy. Flowers and foliage featured pelargoniums, garden roses, autumnal hydrangea, sedum, dahlias, and scabious in shades of pink and gold, burgundy and white.
It's always breathtaking to see the streets of ceremonial London emptied of traffic and lined by hundreds of thousands of people in crowds 20 or more deep from all around the world. The Queen's funeral led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was something else altogether in comparison to more celebratory occasions. She was the world's most famous female leader and though grief in the crowd was palpable, it was love, fondness and respect that undoubtedly shone through.
The Queen was descended from Robert the Bruce on two lines of her lineage. Her mother, Lady Elizabeth was the ninth child and fourth daughter of Lord Claude George Bowes-Lyon and Lady Nina Cecilia Bowes-Lyon, Lord and Lady Glamis of Glamis Castle in Scotland. Members of the Mass Pipes and Drums led the procession played traditional tunes, favorites of the Queen at Windsor and Balmoral. She and the Queen Mother shared a love of bagpipes and it was this haunting sound that transported me from my house in the wee hours of the morning across the Atlantic and an entire continent in Petaluma, Sonoma County to the Mall in London, a classic Bedknobs and Broomsticks musical fantasy moment.
Later, a lone bagpiper in Westminster Abbey played a haunting tribute appropriately called: "Sleep Dearie."
Elizabeth was the most traveled monarch in history having visited 115 countries since she became Queen on her trip to Kenya in 1952. This journey via gun carriage from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace and out through the green fields to Windsor was her last, her final full stop.
HMS Bubble — Ladies of the Queen's Household, pictured above. Did you know that one of these wonderful women actually wore in all of the Queen's new shoes for her? During lockdown, her dresser doubled as her hairdresser. Trusted aides and Ladies in Waiting, they were the Queen's most cherished confidantes and I'm sure they're missing her terribly.
Buses ushered in some two thousand guests - a congregation of its kind in Westminster Abbey not seen since the passing of the Queen's father, King George. It was a relief to see this go off without a hitch. Security and logistics must have been a huge undertaking.
U.S. President and First Lady Joe and Jill Biden took tea with the Queen last year. The Queen had met 13 of 14 American Presidents during her 70 year reign. The reason she never met Lyndon B. Johnson, according to archivists is that she was pregnant with Prince Edward and was unable to attend J.F.Kennedy's funeral.
Heads of State from around the world transcended national borders in this age of jet travel. Five hundred foreign leaders was an incredible and hopeful sight to see gathered in one hallowed space.
In the words of the U.S. President: "Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. She helped make our relationship special . . . Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world."
Westminster Abbey was built between 1245 and 1517. It is a World Heritage Site and burial place of some 30 kings and queens. It is built from sandstone and limestone and contains art and sculptures of the medieval period, tapestries, tombs, chapels and gothic arches. Small beams of sunlight stream through stained glass. As I watched the proceedings unfold from the warmth of my covers, I could almost smell the distinct aroma of history, that old- Cathedral aroma of ancient relics, oils and wax and wood.
A bell in the abbey later tolled once a minute for 96 minutes in commemoration of each year of the Queen's life.
The royal torch has been passed at the same time the country has a new Prime Minister. It's interesting to note that the Queen's first PM, Sir Winston Churchill, was born in 1874, whereas PM Liz Truss was born over an entire century later in 1975. That puts perspective into the picture. Charles will, I believe, as a forward thinker, usher in plentiful timely change into the British monarchy and hierarchy. By the time William becomes King there will most certainly be a more streamlined working Royal Family. The family was clearly grieving and under a global spotlight. I'm surprised there was no veil in sight, though mourning attire was elegant and tasteful all round.
Two small figures, Prince George (9) and Princess Charlotte (7) were remarkably poised and patient with such a lengthy and public obligation. Charlotte made me smile as she swung her legs beneath her chair and gazed intently at the order of service, no doubt thinking her own private thoughts on such a day as this. She's not shy about keeping her brother in line, reminding him to bow at the appropriate time. Her diamond horseshoe brooch, the first piece of fine jewelry she has worn in the public eye will undoubtedly set off a trend of its own. It was given to her by her great grandmother, whom she called Gan Gan.
"People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer," said the Archbishop of Canterbury on the pulpit in the Abbey. "But in all cases, those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privilege are long forgotten."
When it came to the Commonwealth, commentators described her as a career woman with a human touch, the glue that held it all together. She respected heads of state as equals and knew the Commonwealth like nobody else. Much of the work regarding the future of the British monarchy will undoubtedly be focused on the modern age of independence for many of these Commonwealth nations.
Two of the Queen's Corgis, Sandy and Muick and her Fell pony, Emma awaited her arrival at Windsor along with those who had known her best and worked with her, gathered in St George's Chapel, in which she had known as a girl and worshipped as an adult and where she now is buried.
I'll leave you with a sweet anecdote I read on India Hick's instagram. India's mother, Lady Pamela Hicks was one of the Queen's bridesmaids. Lady Pamela remembers how the Queen would visit with a box of chocolates for her host and a box for herself. During one visit she came to her host with a small complaint. Lady Pamela's intelligent pet mongoose, Neola had a tendency to creep into the guest room. It wasn't that she minded him helping himself to one chocolate, but the Queen considered taking a bite out of each one a bit rude!
The Queen has been laid to rest in a side chapel with her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. Farewell Elizabeth. And thank you.
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