WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local officials are offering their condolences to the Royal Family following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II last week.
“On behalf of Wellington County council, and the residents of Wellington County, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and all members of the Royal Family,” reads a statement from county Warden Kelly Linton.
“Wellington County joins people around the world in mourning this great loss.”
The queen died on Sept 8 at Balmoral Castle, her summer residence in Scotland, after 70 years on the throne. She was 96.
Queen Elizabeth appointed Liz Truss as Britain’s new Prime Minister just three days prior to her death on Sept. 8. Royal Family photo
In a statement, Prince Charles, who automatically becomes king, said the death of his mother, is “a moment of the greatest sadness” for him and his family.
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” Charles stated.
“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the queen was so widely held.”
Condolences poured in locally and from across the world not long after the death of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and Canada’s head of state was announced by the Royal Family.
“Today, a page has not only been turned, but a chapter in our shared history has drawn to a close,” states a press release from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“I know Her Majesty’s service to Canada and Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.”
Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong stated on Twitter he was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing” of the queen.
“My deepest sympathies go to the Royal Family,” Chong stated. “God Save the Queen.”
In a phone interview later on Sept. 8, Chong called Queen Elizabeth “selfless” and “an example of how to live a life of public service.”
Chong noted the Queen reigned over Canada for half of its Confederation and issued a Royal Proclamation when Canada got its own flag, and the Patriation of the Constitution in 1982.
Chong said the hallmark of having a constitutional monarchy is continuity.
“We were not born in revolutionary bloodshed. We’ve always been able to evolve our system of government,” he said.
Chong met Queen
Chong, who got to meet the Queen in 2010 when she visited Canada, said he was sad to learn of her death.
“She’s the only Queen I’ve known in my life. She’s been the constant. It’s the end of an era,” he said.
Perth-Wellington MP John Nater noted on social media “the thoughts and prayers of Canadians are with Her Majesty at this time.”
He offered his condolences on behalf of himself, his family and the constituents of Perth-Wellington to the Royal Family.
“She always had a special love and admiration for our country, and that love and admiration was reciprocated to her by Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” Nater stated.
Respect and empathy
“As Sovereign she showed a deep respect and empathy for people around the world.”
Canadian Senator Rob Black said in an emailed statement that Queen Elizabeth II’s long reign was marked by “her strong sense of duty and her determination to dedicate her life to her throne and to her people.”
Black said her service will forever remind him that he too has “been blessed” with the opportunity to serve the public in the Red Chamber.
“With the passing of the Queen, Canada and the rest of the Commonwealth have lost a constant in a world that is perpetually changing,” Black said.
“I know that I, along with Canadians from coast to coast to coast, will miss her steadfast presence in good times and in bad.”
Profound impact
The impact of the loss of Elizabeth, who served as queen since Feb. 6, 1952, will undoubtedly be profound in Britain and the Commonwealth, though it’s unclear what affect it will have on the monarchy itself.
Over seven decades, Queen Elizabeth brought stability to the monarchy, did not shy from modernization and helped oversee many periods of change and more than a few familial scandals.
Though she was less visible in recent years, she remained in control of the monarchy and in June was at the centre of celebrations in Britain for her Platinum Jubilee.
Born on April 21, 1926, the queen was married for more than 73 years to Prince Philip, who died last year at age 99.
Survived by four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, Queen Elizabeth was the second longest-reigning monarch in history, behind French King Louis XIV in the 17th century.
At age 21, about five years before she became queen, Elizabeth famously promised the people of Britain and the Commonwealth that “my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.”
First public broadcast
She made her first public broadcast, a wartime message, in 1940 at age 14, and just two days prior to her death, she appointed Liz Truss as Britain’s new Prime Minister following the resignation of Boris Johnson.
“There never will be another like her in our lifetime,” Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae stated on Twitter.
“My thoughts and prayers are with … her entire family, who lost a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother today.”
Book of condolences
The federal government is inviting members of the public to sign a book of condolences at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, from 9am to 7pm.
Those unable to sign in person can visit the Canadian Heritage website to sign the official virtual book of condolences.
For more information on the reign of the Queen, including photo galleries created in her memory, visit gg.ca.
