Rutland mourns death of Queen Elizabeth II
On Thursday the 8th of September 2022, Buckingham Palace announced the death of monarch Queen Elizabeth II.
After 70 years of service, the country mourn her passing with heavy hearts and remember fondly her achievements both globally an nationally.
The Queen and royal family have a long, strong history with Oakham, most notably perhaps with Oakham Castle, where the horseshoe gifted by Her Majesty can still be seen, donated from one of her racehorses.
In May 2022, in celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, local actor and writer, Henry Dawe, wrote a poem for the queen titled 'Our Gracious, Noble Queen'.
The poem was composed on behalf of the residents of Rutland. Click here for a foreword by Rutland's Lord-Lieutenant and Henry's own recital of the poem.
Upon hearing the news of Her Majesty passing, Henry Dawe said: "I would like to thank Evie Payne of Oakham Nub News for offering me the opportunity to express my thoughts following the momentous news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
"Working for the Royal Household between 2007 and 2012 was a tremendous privilege which gave me an insight into the extraordinary number of duties which The Queen undertook. Her selflessness, dedication and devotion to duty were hugely admired by all the staff. These remarkable qualities were among those which I was so keen to praise in the Platinum Jubilee poem which, with the kind approval of the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, I released as a Rutland celebration of that great occasion. In the poem, I was very keen to pay tribute to our Sovereign's steadfastness and longevity, as well as to her grace and to the brightness which she brought into people's lives.
"No words can ever do justice to Her late Majesty's incomparable achievements but, in another poem soon to be released, I hope to convey a sense of the esteem in which she was held. The poem reflects on the many qualities of our longest-reigning monarch who will be so sorely missed by the people she magnificently served with all her heart.
"These are truly distressing and, of course, historic times. The world has lost its most shining light. What is beyond question is that no one will ever see the like of Queen Elizabeth II again. We must now give thanks for her life and for her example to us all."
Dr Sarah Furness, Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, who endorsed the poem and has represented Her Majesty throughout her tenure, added: "It is with enormous sorrow that I have learnt of Her Majesty's death. We all have a great sense of loss and of the passing of an era. For the vast majority of us, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been our monarch for our entire lives. Queen Elizabeth's reign has been one that included enormous social and technological change.
"Her Majesty's image has been as familiar to us as that of our nearest relatives and friends. We have held her dear. Our sense of national identity was intimately bound to Her Majesty's continuing presence as our Head of State. The Queen's constancy and longevity in the face of such immense transformations have given us all a sense of security and nationhood through a period of time when such a sense was as potentially problematic as it was necessary.
"We all remember Her life, lived in the public eye, with enormous respect and affection. Her Majesty provided an exemplar of public service, putting the needs of the majority and the country before Herself. The Queen's example of service and duty has focussed the public mind on needs and achievements beyond the immediate and the political sphere. Her Majesty's life will for ever be recorded in history. Her reign being the longest of any British monarch. We all give profound thanks for a long life well lived. We remember Her life with immense gratitude."
The Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland is Her Majesty's representative within the county, whose foremost duty is to uphold the dignity of the Crown.
Melton and Rutland MP Alicia Kearns Tweeted:
pic.twitter.com/SchVnNwAtG
— Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton (@aliciakearns) September 8, 2022
However, Rutland residents can remember the Queen for more than just her international status, and have written in to Oakham Nub News with many fond memories of her visits to the area.
Queen Elizabeth and Price Philip visited Oakham throughout her long, successful reign.
During their 1967 visit, the royal couple took part in many social engagements. The Queen was seen waving to the crowds, operating an electric lift on an ambulance, and attending a hunting party - a pastime for which Rutland is famous.
It was during this year that Queen Elizabeth II's horseshoe to Oakham Manor from one of her racehorses was presented.
The Queen and the Duke again visited Oakham in 1984, stopping at Uppingham and taking the time to visit the staff and pupils of Uppingham School. They also visited Oakham School to celebrate the Quarter Centenary.
Local lady, Judy Laws, remembers this visit and has sent in an image of HM meeting her husband, then Head Gardener, Barry Laws: "This is a picture of my husband Barry Laws who was Head Gardener at Oakham School when the Queen and Prince Philip came during the school's Quarter Centenary. Also in the picture was Richard Bull head master. The year was 1984 & they both planted a tree."
In one of her last visits to the County in 2001, the Queen visited the Sensory Garden for the Blind and Disabled, Oakham Market Place, and was received by the Chairman of Rutland County Council (Mrs. Jane Bews) and the Mayor of Oakham (Councillor Mrs. Joyce Lucas).
Read more about these royal visits in our feature from the Platinum Jubilee in June, Oakham in history: royal visitors.
Do you have any fond memories of Queen Elizabeth II?
Email [email protected] to share these and to pay your tribute to the late monarch.
Her passing marks the end of the second Elizabethan era, with the nation welcoming King Charles III as their new monarch.
The funeral for Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday the 19th of September 2022.
Nub News says, "Thank you, your Majesty."
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