Local residents and politicians are reacting with sadness and gratitude following the death on Thursday of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
Her son, Prince Charles, is now king.
“The Queen is dead. Long live the King,” Danny Philp, the last chairman of the Brant County branch of the Monarchist League of Canada, posted on his Facebook page shortly after the death in Scotland of the 96-year-old monarch.
“Very few Canadians, or anyone in the world for that matter, will remember a time when she wasn’t Queen,” said Philp. “We’ve lost our last touchstone to an awful lot of history.”
It is a moment that the United Kingdom has been bracing for, with an elaborate plan for “Operation London Bridge” mapping out what happens next. But it comes as a shock all the same.
Elizabeth was a symbol of stability and continuity – even through royal scandals, the contraction of the British Empire and massive changes around the world. Only days ago, she overlooks the appointment of her 15th British prime minister, Liz Truss.
The formal succession will unfold over the next 10 days, with Charles giving the world a first glimpse of what he will be like as monarch. But, on Thursday, the focus was on the passing of the Queen, with Britons laying flowers outside Buckingham Palace in London and pouring tributes in from around the world.
“Fifteen British and 12 Canadian prime ministers served under her reign and she was a symbol of stability in an often turbulent world around us,” said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “Her dedication to public life will be remembered and her contribution to the growth and stability of Canada will always be appreciated.”
Brantford-Brant MP Larry Brock said the Queen’s “steadfast and longstanding commitment to the Commonwealth will always be remembered.”
“She was a true example of leadership and service to others.”
She was “a Queen not just in title but in action,” tweeted Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Leslyn Lewis. “Her kindness, grace and selfless dedication were a gift to the world. We will miss her terribly.”
The palace announced the Queen’s death at Balmoral Castle where members of the Royal Family had rushed to her side after her health took a turn for the worse.
The Queen’s husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, died in April 2021 at age 99. The country mourned the prince, but more so for the Queen, who at his funeral, sat alone and masked in pew at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle , because of coronavirus lockdown rules.
On Tuesday, the Queen met with Boris Johnson, who tendered his resignation as British prime minister, and Truss, whom she invited to form a new government.
The Queen was photographed with Truss on Tuesday in the drawing room at Balmoral. In all past transfers of power, the Queen would meet her incoming and outgoing prime ministers at Buckingham Palace in London. But she was not well enough for the journey.
Elizabeth became Queen in 1952, at the age of 25, and presided over the country and the Commonwealth, including Canada, for seven decades. Those 70 years as monarch were recognized during this year’s Platinum Jubilee events, which reached their height in London in early June.
The Queen had been planning for her succession for some time. The 73-year-old Charles, who has spent the longest time as king-in-waiting in British history, has been increasingly stepping in for the Queen. He delivered the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament in May, the opening of the Commonwealth Games in August and the COP26 Climate Conference last fall.
The Queen appeared – not once, but twice – on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in June for the celebration of her Platinum Jubilee.
At age 21, Elizabeth publicly declared that “my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.” On that, she delivered, said Philp.
“Stalward is the word that comes to mind. She took her duties very seriously. “Even through all of the (family) scandals starting in the ’90s, she was unimpeachable.”
Michele Grant, president of the Norfolk Historical Society, called Elizabeth “probably the most effective queen England ever had.”
“She was warm, competent, intelligent, responsive and concerned about global needs. Every minute of her day was dedicated to her country. She was a thorough Monarch.”
Elizabeth visited Brantford three times. The first was as Princess Elizabeth in 1951, two years prior to her coronation. Accompanied by her husband, the couple passed through the city on their way to review cadets at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont.
They returned in 1984 when the Queen unveiled a plaque at the Mohawk Chapel recognizing Upper Canada’s first Protestant church and the oldest surviving church in Ontario as a national historic site.
The Queen was back in 1997 to unveil a new plaque giving the Bell Homestead the same designation.
“The City of Brantford joins communities across Britain, Canada and the world in mourning the loss of Canada’s head of state and longest-reigning British Monarch,” said a statement issued by the city on Thursday afternoon. “She will undoubtedly long be remembered for her steadfast sense of duty and devotion to the Commonwealth she served for seven extraordinary decades.”
Queen Elizabeth’s death marks the end of a legacy, said County of Brant Mayor David Bailey.
“She was Canada’s longest-serving Sovereign and she touched the lives and hearts of many.”
Norfolk County Mayor Kristal Chopp said her municipality joins the world in paying their respect to the Queen.
“The reign of Queen Elizabeth II spans the lifetime of myself, my parents, and most Canadians nationwide. She has stood as the globally recognized symbol of the Commonwealth in each of our lives. Her photo has hung in our institutions and her visits to our nation from coast to coast have been celebrated occasions.”
Flags will be lowered to half-mast locally and across the country until sunset on the day of the Queen’s funeral.
The city will hold a ceremonial flag lowering at Bell Homestead, 94 Tutela Heights Rd., at 9 am Friday. There will be a condolence book at the homestead for citizens to pay their respects, which will be sent to the Royal Family.
Bouma said a book of condolence will be available at his constituency office on Nelson Street, with details to come.
Grace Anglican Church members will be tolling the bell in their Pearl Street bell tower 96 times Thursday, once for every year of the Queen’s life, starting at 7 pm
Grant said the Norfolk Historical Society will be discussing possible tributes to the Queen at its meeting Thursday night.
Philp said he plans to plant a maple tree in the Queen’s honour, as he did to mark her Jubilee. She visited Canada more than any other country – 31 times — during her long reign.
“She clearly had a deep affection for Canada,” said Philp. “It was her Maple Kingdom.”
With files from Postmedia wire service.