Goodbye, Her Royal Majesty!

By Seyi Odewale
As the world bids Queen Elizabeth II farewell today as her remains will be interred at the Westminster Abbey, leaders, and people across the universe, no doubt, will forever remember her reign as the most memorable and the longest in both the United Kingdom and the world in general.

Yesterday, the skies over London remained clear as thousands of people milled around Westminster, the centre of the city. London police had a hectic time as they cheerfully marshalled the heaving crowds of families, veterans carrying bouquets and children holding lollipops, as the Queen’s image beamed at them from shop windows.

She reigned for 70 years and 214 days as the longest British monarch, the longest recorded of any female head of state in history, and the second longest verified reign of any sovereign in history. She was second only to Louis XIV of France, who became king at age four. King Louis reigned from 1638 to 1715 and was on the throne for 72 years. Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8.

Her death occurred barely two days after she received the new United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Lizz Truss, who had paid her an official visit at her private residence, Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she had gone to rest.

Her interment today will climax a series of events lined up to give the woman known as the most influential personality in the world a befitting goodbye. Her influence transcended all the continents of the world, and no world leader has ever had such a pervading influence as she did.

Shortly after her death a seven-day mourning period was declared in the United Kingdom and endless tributes began to pour in. Residents of the United Kingdom were seen trooping from far and near to pay their last respect to the late Queen.

Over the weekend a long queue of people, almost five miles long, wanted to pay their last respect. It was an unprecedented queue and a spectacular display of national mourning. It was, indeed, the largest congregation of people to mourn a departed monarch.

Yesterday, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill, were among thousands of mourners, who joined the locals, tourists, and world leaders to pay their respects at Westminster Hall, where the queen laid in state. President Biden made the sign of the cross and put his hand to his heart as he stood quietly near the casket in the ornate 900-year-old hall.

Biden signed the official condolence book and attended a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles III. He was one of the 500 world leaders and royals invited with hundreds of British charity workers and security personnel to man the crowd that will surge at the funeral today.

He described Queen Elizabeth II as “decent, honourable and all about service”. He and his wife signed the condolence book yesterday. “To all the people of England, all the people of the United Kingdom – our hearts go out to you,” President Biden said after spending three minutes writing a message in a condolence book at Lancaster House, a royal property near the Buckingham Palace in London. He added: “And you were fortunate to have had her for over 70 years. We all were. The world’s better for her.”

He said the queen reminded him of his late mother, and that, when they met, “she kept offering me more, I kept eating everything she put in front of me.” Biden, who arrived late Saturday, is among hundreds of world leaders who are gathering in Britain to attend today’s funeral.

Also, the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who will grace the event today, said: “This is a time of grief, but also a time of deep gratitude.” He leads one of the 56 countries in the Commonwealth of Nations, an organisation of many former British colonies now being led by Elizabeth’s eldest son, King Charles III. “Australians give thanks for the life of service of Queen Elizabeth II, a life defined by a commitment to family, to country, to (the) Commonwealth.”

The British crown reportedly extended a controversial funeral invitation to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is widely believed to be responsible for ordering the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. But they did not invite the leaders of Russia, Belarus, Syria, Afghanistan, and Venezuela.

But before the invitation, Russian President, Vladimir Putin had made it clear that he was not coming to the funeral. He also did not attend his predecessor, Mikhail Gorbachev’s funeral, who died some weeks ago.

Over the weekend, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo landed in London to represent his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also on another international assignment.

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According to Osinbajo, in his short tribute to the late Queen at the Lancaster House, the departed Queen Elizabeth II was a monarch for all seasons, who brought people together from all over the world.

Osinbajo joined other world leaders to pay their last respect to the late British monarch at her lying-in-state yesterday. He was alongside other world leaders such as the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, President Biden, and French President, Emmanuel Macron.

Osinbajo wrote: “Nigeria joins the government and people of the UK, the Commonwealth and rest of the world in expressing our sincere condolence to the royal family on the passing of a monarch for all seasons. May the Lord bless her memory.”

Later at a bilateral meeting between Osinbajo and the UK Foreign Secretary, they discussed how to improve trade ties between both countries, especially expanding opportunities for Nigerian businesses and supporting the country’s climate objectives.

They also discussed the imperative of strengthening the international coalition to tackle insecurity in the Sahel and the horn of Africa region.

Yesterday evening, Osinbajo was among other world leaders King Charles III hosted at a reception at Buckingham Palace as part of activities for the State Funeral of the British monarch. He will also attend today’s Funeral Service for the Queen at Westminster Abbey.