dear Queen

  This morning I awoke as an Elizabethan, tonight King Charles III is my monarch. Never expected that to happen today.

So sad. I'm going to miss her. I didn't meet her, just waved at her as her car drove by during a Jubilee visit to town in 1977. As with so many people in this country, I've only ever known her as Queen. For her not to be is really strange and unnerving. The speed of her demise has been shocking, and I don't care if she was 96, it was still fast and still a shock. Oh how I'll miss her. Charles will be a good King, Camilla a good Queen Consort, but even now I can't help but think I just wasn't ready for this to happen. Not yet.

We'll always have the Paddington skit, and we'll forever think of her handbag holding her marmalade sandwich ... for later.

Sleep well dear Queen, you were utterly fabulous. And you'll be sorely missed.