ADORABLE QUEEN

A huge number of people lined up on both sides of the road in silence when Queen Elizabeth’s coffin began a six-hour journey from her retreat in the Scotish Highlands to Edinburgh on Sunday shows the love and respect of the people for their queen (“Queen Elizabeth’s coffin begins slow journey to Edinburgh,” Sept. 11, Gulf Today website).

The slow cortege is the first of a series of events leading up to the state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London on Sept. 19.

Her death has drawn tears, sadness and warm tributes, not just from the Queen’s own close family and many in Britain, but also from around the globe — reflecting her presence on the world stage for seven decades.

According to the report, in the nearby small village of Ballater, hundreds stood beside the road in silence as the hearse passed, some throwing flowers into the road.

“It’s like a family member, it overwhelms — the sadness — that she’s not going to be with us,” said Elizabeth Alexander, 69, who was born on the day the Queen was crowned in 1953.

Accompanied by the queen’ s daughter, princess Anne, the cortege slowly made its way from the remote castle, winding through small towns and villages to Edinburgh where the coffin was taken to the throne room of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Tens of thousands had gathered at royal palaces on the day since Elizabeth’s death to leave flowers and to pay their respects.

There is no doubt that Queen Elizabeth was an adorable Queen who was loved by the masses. People paid glowing tributes to the monarch who reigned for 70 years. Queen Elizabeth will be missed and remain in the hearts of people around the world.

Fahad Noor, By email