Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died 8 September 2022

This week is two year since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away. On the 8 September 2022, Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying she “died peacefully at Balmoral Castle Scotland this afternoon” UK time. On Friday morning 9 September, we woke to the news on the radio with God Save the Queen and a minute silence that followed.

In 2022 we celebrated our Sovereign’s Diamond Jubilee, and here on Norfolk Island we enjoyed a wonderful time at Queen Victoria Garden on Queen Elizabeth II Drive. Here on Norfolk Island, there are many close links with the English monarchy, and fond memories of the Royal visit in 1974. Queen Elizabeth II Lookout was officially opened during the visit. This beautiful hillside area has a commemorative plaque and overlooks the historic area of Kingston and the beautiful landscape, the home of many from the British convict settlements to the Pitcairn Island descendants.

HRH Queen Elizabeth II was aged 96 years, born 21 April 1926. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip married in November 1947, five years before she became Queen. The Royal couple had been married for over 73 years. Prince Philip had made "a huge contribution to the success of the Queen's reign", Prince Philip died on 9^th April 2021 aged 99 years, he had retired from Royal Official Public Duties in 2017.

HRH Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history, Her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British monarch and the second-longest recorded of

any monarch of a sovereign country. Her Majesty continued her Royal duties until the reports that she was unwell. The same week the new British Prime Minister Liz Truss had an official visit with the Queen as she took up her new position.

Prince Philip and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.

His Royal Highness King Charles III became the Sovereign King of the United Kingdom and the commonwealth countries, including Norfolk Island, and the Duchess of Cornwall is now Queen Consort.

In September 2022 we mourned the death of the Queen, we viewed The State Funeral which was broadcast around the world and tributes and messages were sent to Buckingham Palace. In the week following her passing, the public were invited to lay flowers at the Kingston War Memorial and also at Government House where the flags remained at half-mast for ten days. The Union Jack Flag was flying on many flag poles around Norfolk Island, and the flags are at half-mast acknowledging the passing of our Queen.

I feel privileged to have photographed the Queens Baton Relay on the last two visits to Norfolk Island before the Commonwealth Games. I proudly photographed the Baton at Queen Elizabeth II Lookout on each occasion.

Norfolk Island strong links with the monarchy.

http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC5H23T_queen-elizabeth-lookout

“The first visit to Norfolk Island by a reigning Monarch was on the 11 February 1974 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Norfolk Island. The Royal yacht Britannia anchored in Sydney Bay in the early hours on 11 February 1974 and Her Majesty was transported ashore in an Administration Launch. Her Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness the Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh), Her Royal Highness the Princess Anne, and Captain Mark Phillips. The Royal Party made a tour of the historic areas in Kingston during which the Queen laid a wreath on the cenotaph and named the “Queen Elizabeth Lookout”.

The “Queen Elizabeth Lookout” is another favourite place to stop when travelling down Rooty Hill Road, the viewpoint has a magnificent view of Kingston Historic Area, the Norfolk Island Golf club and ocean view out to Phillip and Nepean Islands. It is a great spot to take photos for the splendid views.

“Queen Elizabeth Avenue” is named in the Queen’s honour upon Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II coronation on 2nd June 1953. A wonderful sign can be viewed at the beginning of the avenue where the road meets Taylor Road. The plaque celebrates the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 4th June 2012.

Here are a couple of photos I took at Kingston after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Rest in Peace - God Save the Queen

Betty Matthews

13 September 2024