RIP The Queen

It's been raining all day today in UK as if the sky had opened up, waiting. News came at noon time that the Queen was unwell and her close family was on the way to see her in Scotland where she was in summer residence. By early evening, the wait was over. The Queen had died at age 96.

Queen Elizabeth wasn't born expecting to be the Queen. Her uncle became the King, King Edward VIII when she was ten years old. King Edward was unmarried and he fell in love with an American divorcee Wallis Simpson. As the head of the Church of England, Edward wasn't allowed to marry Wallis, the only option was giving up his love or giving up the throne. After reigning for less than a year, Edward chose the latter and abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson. The throne was passed to his brother, King George VI, the Queen's father. Elizabeth's fate was sealed on this day. She later became the Queen at 25 years old and remained on the throne for the next 70 years.

Not many of us work for a full 70 years till our death, the Queen is one of the few. Even before she came to the throne, she committed to dedicate her whole life to serve the nation. It's no surprise that she never stepped down even when her health was deteriorating in recent years.

For most people, The Queen is one of the few constant presence in our life, just like our grandmother. During those 70 years she's had 15 British Prime Ministers, 12 Canadians Prime Ministers, met 13 out of the 14 American Presidents and numerous other head of states. Visitors come to UK, many jokingly saying they've come to see the Queen. It's like the Queen is not only the Queen of UK, but the Queen of the world.

Being a Brit, despite not English, I feel great sadness about the Queen's death. Regardless of ones view on the Royal family, losing a matriarch figure, a rock that has steadied the nation through thick and thin, pains the nation. And I dare say, the sentiment is felt not only in UK, but in many countries around the world.