Queen Elizabeth II dies: The handwritten note which helped the Queen get through annus horribilis
A Surfers Paradise resident who reached out to comfort the Queen in the worst year of her life has revealed a treasured personal reply.
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A Surfers Paradise resident who reached out to comfort the Queen in the worst year of her life has revealed the treasured personal letter of thanks which she received in reply.
Carol Pearce during 1992 wrote to Queen Elizabeth after those 12 months, meant to be full of celebration and triumph after 40 years on the throne, became her “horrible year’.
On the day of her ruby jubilee, the Queen said: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘annus horribilis’.”
The Queen’s speech was days after a major fire at Windsor Castle, a royal residence, and following the collapse of three of her children’s marriages including Prince Charles and Diana putting an unprecedented tabloid media focus on the Royal family.
Mrs Pearce in her handwritten letter to the Queen quoted from the speech of King George V1, on the eve of the second World War, where he repeated God Knows, an inspiring poem by Minnie Louise Haskins.
“I said perhaps the words quoted by her father on the eve of World War 2 would help at that terrible time for her,” Mrs Pearce said.
The poem by Ms Haskins referred to a man standing at the “gate of the year’ asking another man for a “light to safety” and was told “put your hand in the hand of God — that shall be to you better than a light, and safer than the known way”.
Susan Hussey, the Queen’s Lady in Waiting, later wrote back to Mrs Pearce saying the Queen was “grateful for your kind and sympathetic words at this difficult time”.
In a handwritten final sentence, Mr Hussey told Mrs Pearce: “Your letter was of particular comfort and support to her Majesty.”
Ms Pearce had left England with her family on the day Queen Elizabeth became the monarch.
“I left Tilbury Docks as a 15-year-old migrant with my ten pound Pom family on February 6, 1952,” she said.
“As we pulled out the flags went half mast and my Aunt yelled out across the water ‘the King is dead’. So Elizabeth became Queen on that day 70 years ago. This year my sister and brother and I have celebrated our Jubilee along with the Queen.”
The Queen’s passing has sparked some cherished memories for Mrs Pearce who was living in Benalla in northeast Victoria in 1954 when the Royals visited Australia.
“The day the Royal train was passing through, we teenagers waited for hours in the evening beside the railway line. Around nine o’clock to our huge excitement, along came the train, and believe it or not, there was the Queen, and beside her Prince Philip in a lit-up enclosed platform at the front of the train,” she said.
“At that hour of the day, waving to us all as the train went towards Melbourne that night. What a woman. No wonder the country people of Australia related so well to her.”
EARLIER
The City is to create a permanent tribute of Queen Elizabeth II and invite King Charles III to the Gold Coast for the dedication.
Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle overnight at age 96 after a long period of ill health. King Charles III ascended to the throne upon her death.
The Bulletin can reveal plans for a permanent memorial or dedication for the Queen.
The Mayor will discuss with councillors about a dedication in Queen Elizabeth Park at Coolangatta. The art work or statue would be created after reaching out to local artists.
“I plan taking to Full Council a proposal that we commission a memorial to Her Majesty, to be installed at Queen Elizabeth II Park in Coolangatta,” the Mayor said.
“The form of that memorial is open for discussion. It may be a plaque or something more substantial. Ideally, I want to engage with local artists, should Full Council approve this approach.
“Approval would need to be confirmed through The Queen’s Outdoor Trust. Following that, we would then take the opportunity to invite King Charles III to officially open the dedication to his late mother.
“We have amended the Full Council meeting agenda planned for next week (on Friday) so the focus of that meeting will be on condolences to Her Majesty. Other council business will be moved to future meetings.
“I will raise the idea of a permanent memorial to Her Majesty at that meeting.’’
EARLIER
Gold Coast residents are being encouraged to visit Government House which has been opened as “an official place of mourning” following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, after posting a tribute, has announced details about “the gates being opened” at the Office of the Governor.
Visiting times at the heritage-listed mansion on Fernberg Road, Paddington will be between 8am and 4pm on Friday and Saturday.
Governor-general Dr Jeannette Young said the Queen, in power since Dr Young was a child, was held in great affection by Queenslanders.
“Since becoming Queensland’s Head of State in 1952, Her Majesty has been a powerful symbol of continuity and stability, a peerless exemplar of duty and service,” Dr Young said.
“May her wisdom and calm assurance forever remain a source of strength, encouragement and solace to us all.”
The City today began printing Condolence Books to be made available at all of its libraries.
The Books can be accessed there for a period of 10 days.
EARLIER
Mayor Tom Tate has left a special written message for Queen Elizabeth II after her passing.
Mr Tate on Friday morning signed the City Condolence Book to reflect on the passing of the Queen. It signalled the start for residents to pay their respects.
Mr Tate is the first citizen from the city to write in the Book and left the following message:
“On behalf of the City of Gold Coast, we are so grateful for your lifelong service. In our mind, you were the UNITED in United Kingdom. We were so blessed to have you as our beloved Queen.’’ Tom Tate, Mayor
Mr Tate said Condolence Books would be available at all City Libraries by the end of Friday for a period of 10 days.
Deputy Mayor Donna Gates has joined the Mayor in signing the City Book.
Flags will be flown at half-mast until the funeral.
Opposition leader and Broadwater MP David Crisafulli on Facebook posted: “The world has lost a tower of strength and dignity.
“Her Majesty’s unwavering service and dedication to the people were the hallmarks of her historic seven-decade reign.
“This great loss will be felt across Queensland, throughout Australia and around the world.
“I send my condolences to the Royal Family and join with people everywhere in giving thanks for her extraordinary contribution and life.
EARLIER
Mayor Tom Tate has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, saying the royal’s death is the end of an era.
The Queen died at Balmoral Castle overnight at age 96 after a long period of ill health.
King Charles III ascended to the throne upon her death.
Cr Tate, a staunch monarchist who met the Queen and spent several occasions with the new King, said her majesty’s passing was a tragedy.
“Her Majesty brought so much strength and stability to not only the Royal Family but the entire Commonwealth,” he said.
“Our city has fond memories of her visits here, along with her late husband, Prince Philip.
“It was such an honour to open our Jubilee Walkway between Queen Elizabeth II Park in Coolangatta and Philip Park at The Spit, earlier this year.
“This walkway will forever link Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, as did their love and commitment to one another through the years.”
Flags on the Gold Coast will be lowered to half-staff today as a mark of respect.
A condolence book will also be set up.
“The City will today arrange for our flags to be flown at half mast and for a condolence book to be placed at various community centres so people can convey their messages to the Royal Family,” Cr Tate said.
Cr Tate famously placed a portrait of the Queen in his mayoral office in 2012 and has often written of his respect for the monarchy.
Paradise Point councillor Cameron Caldwell paid tribute to the Queen, saying he was “absolutely devastated”.
“She has been so much more than a monarch, she was an inspiration to generations during her reign,” he said.
“She was a wife, mother and grandmother that we all felt we had in our lives.”
Robina councillor Hermann Vorster said the Royal Family had established a special connection with the Coast.
“While a solemn day, there has been such an outpouring of gratitude for Her Majesty’s service,” he said.
“The Royal Family has a special connection to the area through Robina State High School and I know the news will be felt there.”
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor paid tribute to her “life of service”.
“This loss that will be felt by many in our community and I know the thoughts of so many Gold Coasters will be with the Royal Family,” he said.
“Whilst we mourn the loss of a leader who has been an enduring constant in our lives, those closest to Her Majesty will be remembering their mum, grandma and great-grandma.
“Her Majesty’s immense contribution to the institution that is the Monarchy will be unsurpassed so this is truly the end of an era.”
Southport councillor Brooke Patterson said the Queen had “always been there” though her life “utterly devoted to service”.
“Like millions of others across the world right now, I am somewhat taken aback by the deep emotion sweeping over me for a person I would never meet,” she said.
“But what a person. Literally until her dying day she fulfilled her role of service.
“I like to think of her going to be with her prince. I loved our queen and feel grateful to have borne witness to her reign. Now I serve her by declaring, Long Live the King.”
Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek said the Queen’s death marked the “end of a remarkable era”.
“It’s the end of a remarkable era; a life of service to Great Britain and The Commonwealth, and a great friend to Australia,” he said.
THE NEW KING’S COAST VISIT.
The new King Charles III has only visited the Gold Coast once on his royal tours but left a significant impression.
The monarch, who took the throne early on Friday morning (Australian time) arrived in April 2018 to preside over the 2018 Commonwealth Games with his wife, the new Queen Consort Camilla.
It was his 16th trip to Australia and seventh to Queensland.
His Majesty opened the Commonwealth Games at Metricon Stadium on April 5, 2018 and then toured the city, meeting with Mayor Tom Tate, then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and placing the final piece of the Commonwealth Games walkway in.
The 73-year-old walked Surfers Paradise beach, met with fans and even inspected a wheelie bin shown to him by Robina High students.
“And what is this?” he asked when opening up the lid, laughing and dropping it again.
“Oh no! That’s our bin! Don’t open that!,” one of the students responded.
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