10th September 2022

It was two days after the death of Queen Elizabeth.  Preparations were being made to transfer the Queen's coffin to Westminster Hall in London for a period of lying in state.  Mum had been absorbed by the TV coverage of the sad event.

When her young carer Rosie brought in her breakfast she found Mum perkier and much more mentally with it than she had been for many days.  She seemed in a rush to get her breakfast done and barely finishing her bowl of porridge said to Rosie,  "Tell Philip that I'm going to London to see the Queen."

Ten minutes later she had passed.

As a young girl living in South London in the aftermath of the second world war her role as a Ranger Guide meant she was frequently asked to be part of a guard of honour for various world leaders and dignitaries visiting the capital city.

Perhaps this and her sense of caring duty led her to believe she should now attend her life long monarch as a final guard of honour.

One can never know but I like to think of Mum there standing proud and tall between the household guard and royal family members in their solemn watch at the foot of the Queen's catafalque.