'Elizabeth the Great': Britain's oldest mourn UK's longest reigning monarch

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, described as “Elizabeth the Great”, came a wave of reflection and remembrance amongst Britain’s oldest who shared their own stories about the country’s longest reigning “marvellous” monarch.

After 70 years on the throne and in her Jubilee year, Elizabeth II died on the afternoon of 8 September at her summer retreat Balmoral Castle aged 96. King Charles III was at his mother’s bedside when she died and acquired his new title upon her death.

‘Incredibly sad’ death of 'marvellous' monarch

On hearing the news of Elizabeth II's death, Saint Jude’s care home based in Liverpool stated: “We are all feeling incredibly sad at Saint Jude's with the news of Her Majesty's passing yesterday evening."

Care home resident Lois said: “It's so sad. Only a few weeks ago we were celebrating her big day at the Jubilee party and now here we are crying because she's died.

“I can't believe it. She was marvellous, we will never forget her."

Josie, who also lives at Saint Jude’s, said: “I remember when she became Queen. It was a big event and we all watched on TV.

“Now we're about to see the same thing happen to Charles (King).

"It's very sad but the new King will do a great job because his Mum was the Queen and she has taught him everything.”

At The Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the Chelsea Pensioners, the governor at the hospital Sir Adrian Bradshaw said: “The whole military community will be in mourning today, for the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.

"The pensioners held their Queen in the very highest regard and were all immensely proud to serve and protect their country under her 70-year long reign.

“Her first investiture as Monarch was with Korean War hero Bill Speakman VC, who later became a Chelsea Pensioner, and they remained acquaintances throughout his life, until he passed away in 2018.”

The Queen herself was a veteran of the second world war, serving as a mechanic. On her 21st birthday, Elizabeth II told the world: "I declare before you all 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." The Queen outlived her husband Prince Philip, who died only a year ago.

Prime Minister Liz Truss, who met the Queen just two days before her death when she was invited to form a government, found herself making a speech about Elizabeth II's passing, ending with the words "God save the King".

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who as PM has had regular meetings with Elizabeth II to chat about affairs of state, paid tribute to her by naming her "Elizabeth the Great".

Steve Barney shared a photograph of Elizabeth II taken in 1996 when she visited his grandmother at her care home.

Mr Barney said: “Her Majesty The Queen visiting my grandma Edith Watson at her care home Doughty's Hospital Norwich. Such a special day for Grandma. Rest in peace, Queen Elizabeth II."

Millions have met Queen Elizabeth II but care home resident Freda Hodgson remembers meeting the Queen’s grandparents King George V and Queen Mary.

Before Freda Hodgson passed away at the age of 107 in her care home in Whiteley Village on 15 May 2021, she spoke as a guest on the Let’s Talk About Care podcast about her experience meeting the King and Queen.

Freda Hodgson, who was proud of her 52 great grandchildren, recalled meeting King George V and Queen Mary at Buckingham Palace when she was presented as a debutante at the age of 16.

During the podcast (recorded in 2019 at her home in Whiteley Village in Walton-on-Thames (Whiteley Homes Trust), she admitted to feeling like "200-years-old".

She remembers talking with Queen Elizabeth II's grandmother Queen Mary and the "three feathers" in her hair she wore with a beautiful gown when she was presented to the King and Queen. She states matter-of-factly that Queen Mary called her "charming".

This year, the Queen celebrated her Platinum jubilee by taking on a comic acting role alongside another famous character Paddington Bear. In the funny sketch, she revealed she stored a marmalade sandwich in her handbag.

After celebrating her jubilee, care homes across the land marked Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in their own way.

The Cedars Nursing Home in Salisbury, run by care group Barchester, revealed that “Cedars staff will be wearing black for nine days in honour of her Majesty.”

General manager Sam Humphries said: “For the residents here at Cedars, we wanted to show that we respect their past as well as our future.

"Some of the residents are coping by talking to each other whilst others are sitting in silence whilst watching the news.

“One resident in particular is currently reminiscing with her family as they came in knowing she would feel sad with the news of the Queen’s death.”

'Take some comfort' in her ending life at Balmoral home

Hearing about the monarch's death, Ashwell Home Care Services stated: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday, but take some comfort in her ending her wonderful life in the home that she loved so much, Balmoral."

Some care workers voiced concern on social media about how they would break the sad news to people of the Queen's generation.

Vic Rayner, executive of the National Care Forum, which represents care homes and home care providers, said: “We mourn with the nation in our loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. As the patron of many of our member organisations she has demonstrated unreserved commitment to care, charity and community through her ongoing patronage and her previous patronage of members.

“Many of the people in care will be thinking about her and remembering the huge part she has been in all of their lives. Care settings have always marked these moments with love and gratitude for her dedication and service and will be deeply saddened by the news of her death at this time.”

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