Queen Elizabeth II
A personal view
By
Cllr Colin Hedgley
I spent 34 years serving in the Royal Navy whilst Queen Elizabeth II was our head of state. And therefore, my boss!
The last 8 years of that time I had the privilege of serving our monarch in a more personal way by being appointed to the Royal Yacht Britannia.
The Royal Yacht was a happy home for the Queen and her family, away from the prying eyes of the press and TV cameras where no one commented when the queen wore baggy trousers and an old jumper. Where she could laugh and relax with friends and family, play games or just sit in the sun lounge reading a book and just lazing around.
When on board she always made a point of visiting the various messes in order to meet the Royal Yachtsmen and to thank them for their loyalty and hard work. The Duke of Edinburgh after a hard-days sailing at Cowes would pop into the mess for a pint or two.
It was a very relaxed atmosphere, where one could pass the Queen or member of the Royal Family any day and it was nothing out of the ordinary.
However, the Queen was the ultimate professional. On official visits or hosting a reception on board in a distant land - she made sure that everything was perfect for what would be a once in a lifetime experience for those invited. The best of those times were the CHOGMs or Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings. There the Queen was Queen where over 50 presidents or prime ministers were assembled on the Royal Yacht for a magnificent dinner and conference. The queen knew the names of every leader and spoke to them all with a sound knowledge of their country and its problems.
There then followed a Beating the Retreat by the Royal Yacht Band of the royal marines on a blacked out Royal Yacht and Jetty with only the searchlight of the Britannia shining on the band--- and then the flag of the host country slowly lowered as the searchlight became more a more tightly focussed. Then searchlight went out. Total Blackness all around. Silence.
Then suddenly every light on the Britannia and on the jetty came on at the same time to roars of approval from the assembled guests and clapping and cheering for the Queen. It was very, very impressive. And only the Queen and Britannia could do that. You would have all been very proud. Only our Queen could have done that. One woman making all the difference.
Outstanding. Professional. Loyal. Caring. Faithfull.
Unassuming excellence. We will not see her like again.
But do not worry, we are in good hands now. God save the King.
