As we approach this solemn weekend, the nation in mourning of our Queen, Elizabeth II, who will be laid to rest this Monday 19th September 2022, it is a time for deep reflection.
The outpouring of love and adoration from her people has been immense and hugely emotional, with thousands of people gathering on road sides through the week to watch as she made her way in procession on her 6 hour journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh. Flying to London and returning to her family at Buckingham Palace last Tuesday evening, she left by horse drawn carriage for the last time the following day, Wednesday 14th September 2022, trailed by grieving family members during a 38-minute journey to the Houses of Parliament. Here, she will rest until her service at Westminster Abbey next Monday, 19th September 2022 - declared a public bank holiday in celebration of the life of our Queen - An inspiration and an example to all. forever in our hearts. She will then be laid to rest next to her true love, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in her final resting place, King George VI Memorial Chapel, Windsor castle.
Whether patriotic / a Royalist or not, the death of the Queen has affected us all in some way. Some may have been lucky enough to have met her, spent time with her, worked with her or even known her as a friend. Some may liken her to their own grandmother/ family member and have feelings of sentiment in that way... What I do know is whether we knew her personally or not, we all felt like we did. She was part of all of our lives in some way.
For me personally, she represents my late aunt - a huge royalist who adored the Queen and admired her greatly. I would even go as far as to say she modelled herself on our Queen - carried the same elegance, beauty & grace. I will never forget the regimented interruptions at family Christmas gatherings where everything would stop so she could watch the Queen give her annual speech, respectfully stood, with hand on heart. It meant the world to her and for that reason, so did it us. She was a matriarch in our family...a true English rose...our 'Queen Bee', who I am sure I will talk about again in the future, her being a massive role model to me and inspiring me in the very first instance to appreciate property - installing my love of interior design and teaching me that you can achieve anything you want if you put your mind to it and work hard enough - even be your own boss! ("go on that girl!")
...Yes, that is how I feel this entire situation resonates with the nation - in a very personal and reflective way.
In times of reflection, and being an artist myself, I find that I look towards art as a kind of self-nurturing mechanism...often getting creative myself. Art is such a powerful source of self expression and, I feel, an important form of decoration to have displayed in your home - be it a sculpture, a print, a photograph... Surrounding yourself with the things you love - capturing a moment / an emotion and keeping it - displaying it - a forever reminder and memory of that moment - how you felt at the time, what made you connect with that piece and what it means to you. This beautiful, limited edition (only 100 copies available) floral multimedia collage silhouette print, 'One Queen', by American Artist, Agent X for me signifies beautifully this moment in time and is the perfect tribute to our Queen Elizabeth II. The softness of the flowers verses the hard, defined edges of her elegant and so extremely renowned and celebrated silhouette, the colour and texture of the flowers themselves and how they contrast - stand out so proudly against the white background, yet each flower remaining so silky, fragile & delicate within. The royal pearls around her neck and the very English selection of flowers. It is almost as though you can smell the bouquet by just looking at the print. Definitely something I would like displayed on my wall...and something, in a contemporary way, which makes me feel that I am looking at the Queen herself, without it being a traditional portrait, as very cleverly, what is there in place incorporates everything that she was.
I would like to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to the family of Her Majesty The Queen. Her dedication, loyalty and service to her people were both admirable and unique. She taught us all so much and was the greatest monarch and role model any of us could ever have wished for and we as a nation, were so lucky to have had. her passing is a great loss to our country.
I cannot leave you without sharing this very beautiful video, capturing the queen from her very earliest years, to her latest. Just the most beautiful thing. I would love to know who created this, but my searches failed me. If anyone knows, please get in touch so I can give that person credit where credit is due....
Beautiful memories of a beautiful, legendary lady, our Queen Elizabeth II.
Farewell Ma'am, Your Job is Done, Time For You to Rest...
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