“Grief is the price we pay for love.” The Queen wrote those words to the Americans after 11 September 2001. Now they are fitting as we mourn Her Majesty’s passing. On our TV sets we can see Elizabeth II was loved all around the world. To many it felt like a death in the family. She was Grandma.
Lizzie Sharp made a collage for display at Poets during the wake for QEII
During the funeral on Monday (19/9) a Wake was held in Sai Kung at Poets. Many people contributed to a successful, emotive event. Lizzie Sharp made a collage of HM photos that was displayed on a wall. Guy Shirra produced a condolence book and a ceremonial feathered pen. Roger Medcalf had the beautiful photo of Elizabeth as a young woman that appeared on the FT front page framed. It was set up on a high table with candles either side. These were supplied by Datta of Big Fish. Poets licensee Rose had every TV screen showing Sky News coverage of the funeral. Maricel was there to help keep drinks topped up as the patrons celebrated the Queen’s life. Guy asked Rose to play God Save the Queen by the Bands of HM Royal Marines. A spirited argument erupted over whether the Queen and Paddington Bear were talking about marmite sandwiches or marmalade sandwiches.
Peter Downie, GM of Clear Water Bay Golf Club at the Wake for the Queen.
Guy Shirra wearing his police medals, one of which is a Queen’s Commendation for Bravery for rescuing people in the Kotewell Road disaster
People came and went. Some became emotional, tears in their eyes, as they spotted the displays honouring our departed Monarch. We don’t know everyone who was there, but here are names of the few we do know: Mark, Stu, Philip, Cheong, Guy, Lou, Roger, Rose, Maricel, Annie, Martin, two Pauls and two Peters.
Former Cathay captain Stu Pryke signs the condolence book
Mark Newman and Guy Shirra
The Condolence Book filled up quickly. Some were notably eloquent. Stu Pryke, a former Cathay Captain, penned Shakespearean lines. We can’t recall the exact words but close with the text from Shakespeare quoted by King Charles III:
It is an extract from a speech by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer to King Henry VIII after the birth of the future Queen Elizabeth I:
“Let me speak, sir.
For heaven now bids me, and the words I utter
Let none think flattery, for they’ll find ’em truth.”
It ends:
“She shall be, to the happiness of England,
An aged princess; many days shall see her,
And yet no day without a deed to crown it.”
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