Tributes to Her Late Majesty the Queen

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 20 September 2022.

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Photo of Elena Whitham Elena Whitham Scottish National Party

My colleague Siobhian Brown and I heard the news that the Queen had passed away on our drive back to Ayrshire, and both of us were caught by surprise by the well of emotion that the radio announcement brought forth. Although I am by no means a natural monarchist, I still found myself dealing with unexpected feelings of loss.

Queen Elizabeth was the one constant in our collective consciousness for over 70 years. Like my beloved grandfather, who was one year her junior and who passed away just last year, she was part of that greatest of generations: those who lived through war and rationing and who lived life with a sense of duty and stoic strength.

As our elders in that generational cohort pass away, we feel the shifting of time keenly. I was bereft when my grandpa passed away. He was a man with strong values of social justice, which he bestowed on his children and grandchildren. For me, the death of the Queen is inextricably linked to the loss that we feel for the “Make do and mend” generation. I am sure that if my grandpa, who was an Ayrshire dairyman, and the Queen had ever met, they could have talked coos aw day.

When I emigrated to Canada as a wee six-year-old, the Queen was the one familiar thing in a new land where I was far away from everything, and almost everyone, that I knew and loved. Her face on the unfamiliar currency, and even the worldwide broadcast of the royal wedding the following year, helped me in my gradual acclimatisation as a new Canadian. When, as a family, we pledged our oath of Canadian citizenship, we also pledged our oath to Her Majesty: the one great constant.

Although I may have donned a certain infamous T-shirt by a famous punk band in my teens, and—like Daniel Johnson—railed against the system, I can attest to the great work that was done by the now King at Dumfries house in Cumnock in my constituency. Saved from ruin by the then Prince, the country mansion and wonderful grounds are home to the Prince’s Foundation. Dumfries house is also the site of the Queen’s last visit to Ayrshire, where she was welcomed by thousands as she opened the beautiful walled garden that was named after her. I urge all members to visit, especially in the summertime, when more than 3,000 roses and row on row of delphiniums bloom spectacularly.

It was also at Dumfries house that I watched with great amusement as the now King Charles grabbed his wife and birled her round the dance floor as an Elvis impersonator sang “Don’t Be Cruel” at one of East Ayrshire Council’s “vibrant communities” tea dances, which are held regularly to bring the community together to combat social isolation. Charles and Camilla gave everyone who was there that day an impromptu show to remember, and I will not forget the smiles on the faces. I sincerely hope that the King will be able to continue to enjoy his frequent sojourns to Ayrshire, and we thank him for the regeneration that he has imparted.

Finally, as a member of the scouting family, I thank the Queen for her duty and patronage over her 70-year reign. We can all live by the scout pledge that she embodied: to do our best and to help others.

À la reine Elizabeth: merci fortement pour votre service et reposez en paix.