Queen Elizabeth II passed away aged ninety-six last Thursday, and just days later, many have been calling for the Queen’s crown jewels to be returned to their ‘rightful’ place.
Former Colonies of the British Empire in India and Africa are asking for their diamonds back…
Read on for the full story.
In recent years, people have been, understandably, more concerned for the Queen.
Losing a partner of more than seventy years must have been horrific. And right after that, she was struck with another painful blow just a few months later.
At the time, according to friends, the Queen was using her dogs to help cope with the grief of losing Philip…
The Queen was known for being a true animal lover, with one animal, in particular, that’s always been associated with HRH.
The Queen was given her first corgi, Susan, on her eighteenth birthday in 1944.
It has been estimated that the Queen owned more than thirty dogs during her reign, all of which were from the same family.
Her most famous dog was Monty, who appeared with her in a sketch for the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics…
The Queen had planned not to get any more dogs after Vulcan, her dorgi – a dachshund-corgi cross – passed away. She was left with just 1 corgi called Candy.
She acquired 2 new four-legged friends when Philip was hospitalized…
And their names had truly special meanings…
Fergus was named after her uncle Fergus Bowes-Lyon, who was killed in action during the First World War.
The second dog, Muick, pronounced Mick, is a pure-bred corgi and named after Loch Muick, a favorite spot for the Royals during their summer holiday.
When the news of the new dogs came out, Royal biographer Penny Junor said: “Her corgis are hugely important to her.”
“They have over the years been closer to her than any human being. The corgis are intensely loyal and loving and they have never let her down.”
But sadly, just a month after Philip died…
Her 5-month-old puppy Fergus passed away.
Fergus had been purchased by Prince Andrew to help his mother cope with the grieving process.
But sources confirmed Fergus passed away in May, just a month after she lost her husband.
A source told The Sun: “The Queen is absolutely devastated.
“The puppies were brought in to cheer her up during a very difficult period.”
“Everyone concerned is upset as this comes so soon after she lost her husband.”
It seemed that as she tried to handle all her grief, Queen Elizabeth appeared to be struggling physically as well as emotionally…
She was snapped at Westminster Abbey with her daughter for the Thanksgiving service…
To celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the British Royal Legion.
But as soon as she stepped out of her car, people noticed something concerning…
She was using a walking stick to support herself, something she hadn’t been seen with for seventeen years.
The only other time the Queen was been pictured with a stick was after her knee operation back in 2003…
But she quickly recovered and stopped using it the following year, in 2004.
The pictures left a lot of people worried about her physical health…
However, although it might have been a little alarming, the Queen still looked to be her usual upbeat self.
But royal doctors were then reported to have given her a stern health warning.
And people were left worried all over again…
Queen Elizabeth was reportedly told to stop drinking by royal doctors.
As per Vanity Fair, 2 sources claimed that doctors advised the queen to cut out alcohol except for special occasions.
“The Queen has been told to give up her evening drink which is usually a martini,” the source said.
“It’s not really a big deal for her, she is not a big drinker but it seems a trifle unfair that at this stage in her life she’s having to give up one of very few pleasures.”
Doctors were said to have given her the warning about alcohol to ensure she is was healthy as possible for her full schedule.
It also came ahead of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
However, things went from bad to worse as the queen suffered a sprained back, resulting in her absence from the Remembrance service in London.
The service would have been her first appearance since being admitted to hospital, after which she was advised by her doctors to rest for 2 weeks and only undertake “desk-based duties,” as per Buckingham Palace.
The palace released a statement ahead of the Remembrance event…
“The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today’s Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.”
“Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service,” it continued.
“As in previous years, a wreath will be laid on Her Majesty’s behalf by the Prince of Wales.
“His Royal Highness, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra will be present at the Cenotaph today as planned.”
The Queen had only ever missed 6 cenotaph ceremonies in her sixty-nine-year reign…
But that wasn’t the only commitment that had to be canceled as the Queen’s in-person appearance at the General Synod was also canceled with the Earl of Wessex attending instead.
While attending the Synod, the Earl read a speech to bishops and clergy at the Westminster headquarters of the Church of England on behalf of the queen, The Sun reported.
But what the Queen had to say in her speech broke hearts…
In her speech, the queen praised the Church of England for offering “hope” during the pandemic.
A period of time that she described as full “of anxiety, grief & weariness.”
“It is hard to believe that it is over fifty years since Prince Philip and I attended the very first meeting of the General Synod,” the Earl also read on her behalf.
“None of us can slow the passage of time; and while we often focus on all that has changed in the intervening years, much remains unchanged, including the Gospel of Christ and his teachings.”
She showed her nation just how motivated she was to carry on with her duties.
As she returned back to work after telling Armed Force Chiefs that she couldn’t move.
The Queen was back to work, smiling, and performing duties for her nation.
And she did so via a Zoom conference call.
The Queen virtually welcomed ambassadors, and definitely displayed her ability to power through.
Attending the virtual call was Ambassador of Finland Jukka Siukosaari, with Mariella Siukosaari, and the Ambassador of Jordan Manar Dabbas, with Muna Abuhassan.
And she even managed to crack an adorable smile for her audience.
Despite feeling tense after the day before.
And it’s safe to say, that the Queen had a lot to feel tense about lately.
Especially after Prince Charles tested positive for the coronavirus.
However, that didn’t stop the Queen from ensuring her job continued on.
Including her partaking in her Platinum Jubilee celebration.
The celebration, which marked a whopping 70 years of the Queen’s reign, was well attended.
The vast majority of the royals were there for the many different ceremonies and events over the four days.
Prince William and Kate Middleton were there with their children.
Alongside Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla.
And as ever, all eyes were fixed on the family in the hopes of seeing some drama.
Particularly between Kate Middleton and her son, Prince Louis.
Because it seemed as though little Louis really wasn’t enjoying the celebrations…
As he was spotted pulling a series of amusing facial expressions that got the whole internet talking! But, that wasn’t the only moment people paid attention to…
Because Prince Charles addressing the Queen as “mummy” in his Jubilee speech really turned some heads.
In his speech, the Prince of Wales thanked his mother for the seventy years she has reigned as Queen…
“Your Majesty, mummy, you have met us and talked with us, you laugh and cry with us, and most importantly, you have been there for us for these seventy years. You pledged to serve your whole life. You continue to deliver. That is why we are here. That is what we celebrate tonight. These pictures on your house are the stories of your life, and ours. So, Your Majesty, that is why we all say thank you,” the speech said.
And although Prince Charles elicited a huge cheer from the crowd, social media became divided over his choice of words for his mom.
One person wrote: “Something deeply disturbing about a 70-year-old man who says, Mummy.”
But then the Queen made headlines for some more heartbreaking news…
And it was linked to her childhood friend.
The sad news came just months after the monarch also lost fellow close friends the Duchess of Grafton and Lady Farnham, The Mirror reports.
The Queen’s Scottish-born friend Lady Myra Butter and Her Majesty were “both young girls after she was enlisted to join her in various childhood activities,” including swimming and attending Brownies.
Even so, Lady Myra Butter told The Telegraph last year that “the Guides and the Brownies were a real mixture and was nice” to join friends, family, and “all the people in the royal mews.”
She remained close to Her Majesty and also had a long-standing friendship with Philip — who she paid a “beautiful tribute” to after his death last year.
Where she mentioned how “lost” the Queen would be without her husband.
She also didn’t hesitate to explain that “Philip’s dedication to duty meant nobody could have done that job” as the Duke of Edinburgh had done for decades.
But it was only at the beginning of this year when Lady Myra Butter handed back the Pushkin medal which she was awarded by President Vladimir Putin.
For bringing Russian and Scottish schoolchildren together — but this is no big news for the Queen’s inner circle member…
As she was a descendant of Tsar Nicholas I and of poet and play-writer Alexander Pushkin.
But sadly, Lady Myra Butter passed away at the age of 97 in London…
On Thursday 8th September, Buckingham Palace revealed that the Queen was placed under medical supervision at Balmoral.
It said in a statement: “Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision.
“The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”
Prince Charles, Camilla, and Prince William traveled to Balmoral to be by Her Majesty’s side.
Just days before her decline in health was announced, the Queen met with Liz Truss to appoint her as the new Prime Minister of the UK.
Harry also traveled to be by the Queen’s side.
The pair canceled an event to travel to Scotland to be with their family.
Now, the devastating news of the Queen’s passing has been announced aged 96.
Meaning Prince Charles is now King with Camilla becoming Queen Consort.
The title was announced before the Queen’s passing just before her Platinum Jubilee.
The Queen said at the time: “When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me.
“And it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
The Titles have also changed for the new heir to the throne Prince William and Kate Middleton, from Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay, with Kate taking on the female versions.
King Charles’ coronation will likely not take place for a while yet as the family mourn and rigorous planning takes place.
Buckingham Palace released a statement confirming her passing.
Following the Queen’s death, Operation London Bridge has begun…
This is a 10-day mourning period leading up to the Queen’s funeral before Charles officially takes the throne.
To mark the period, flags will be lowered to half-mast. A gun salute and a national minute’s silence will also take place in the coming days.
The UK’s new prime minister Liz Truss will also make a statement before meeting with the new King of England.
King Charles will then give a speech before the service of remembrance for Her Majesty is held at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
After this, on day 10 of the mourning period, processions will take place before the Queen is buried at King George VI Memorial Chapel.
Since the tragic news of Her Majesty’s death, many royal fans have been paying their respects outside Buckingham Palace.
A statement was subsequently put up on the gates outside the Palace, officially announcing her death to passers-by and those who may not have seen the news yet.
The statement, which is the same as what was posted on the Royal website, reads: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Many have also been sharing that the Queen has now been reunited with her husband, Prince Philip, who died last year.
According to sources, the Queen held onto the faith that she would be reunited with her love when she passed.
The pair met when she was just thirteen, and it was allegedly love at first sight.
Prince Philip was eighteen at the time, and the pair later got married in 1947.
Their partnership lasted seventy-three years and ended with Philip’s tragic death last April, aged ninety-nine.
During their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1997, the Queen said of Philip: “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
It’s clear Prince Philip had been her rock throughout her life, a presence which she was torn apart without.
But sources claimed that she was comforted by the thought that the pair would reunite one day.
“It is central to her life,” a friend of the Queen said at the time. “It means she looks confidently forward to the time when she and he are reunited.”
At last, they are together again.
And they are set to be buried together on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Before this happens, Prince Philip will be moved from his current resting place at the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel to be beside his wife.
They will then be buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel together.
This is also the resting place of the Queen’s family, including her father, King George IV, mother, and sister, Princess Margaret.
Following the Queen’s death, Prince Charles has become the King.
And he could have chosen from any of his given names, so could have been King Arthur, King George, King Philip, or King Charles.
Clarence House, the former Prince of Wales’ official residence, has now declared that he will be officially known as King Charles III.
Although the date for his official coronation is not yet set.
It seems the question on everyone’s lips is who will inherit the Queen’s beloved horses and dogs.
When Prince Philip passed away last year a judge revealed Philip’s will would be sealed for ninety years.
And that the public wouldn’t know which royal gets what.
Until it became known he left his carriage to his granddaughter Louise Windsor, the daughter of Edward.
Although, it does seem the Queen’s will also be kept under wraps.
At the time of her death, the Queen had 4 Corgis Muick and Sandy, a Dorgi named Candy, and a Cocker Spaniel.
Prince Andrew reportedly gave his mom 2 dogs last year while Prince Philip was in the hospital, as a way to keep her spirits up, however, one died a few months later.
The Queen also loved her horses.
She had more than one hundred at the time of her death and rode them with pride for decades.
So who will get the Queen’s animals?
Although her Will certainly provides answers, it will most likely be kept under wraps for many years.
It’s clear that the Queen had a deep love of animals and the natural world, which was made evident in her plan to protect the world’s forests…
During an interview with the British natural history broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, for the documentary called The Queen’s Green Planet, she opened up about her passion to promote forest conservation.
It was in this informal interview that we got a deeper look into the person the Queen truly was, and even got to see her wicked sense of humor in action.
During the episode, they can be seen walking through Buckingham Palace Gardens as she makes the macabre joke.
Sir David talks about how tree growth will diversify over the next fifty years…
To which her Majesty responded with the witty remark: “I won’t be here though.”
You can watch their exchange here.
The Queen had a quick wit and an incredible sense of humor.
Something many people are remembering her for.
As well as her chat with Sir David, there are many other moments that have left people in stitches.
Back in 2006, during a visit to Australia, Angela Kelly, who was the Queen’s dresser at the time, put a toy kookaburra in a cage outside her room and convinced Her Majesty that not only was it real, but the animal had died.
According to Kelly’s book The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser, and the Wardrobe, the Queen jokingly responded: “You’re sacked.”
Not only this, but the Queen also came up with the best handle for her car GPS system…
A royal insider told Mail Plus: “A few years ago, she started calling her ‘the woman under the bonnet’. It was very funny. Of course, she knows very well where the voice comes from.”
Adding: “But Her Majesty is very sharp. She has a brilliant sense of humor and a very quick wit.
“It always tickles people to hear her remark ‘it’s the woman under the bonnet again’ when she hears her voice.”
Then there are her TV appearances, such as the one with Paddington Bear.
The animated bear could be seen asking the Queen: “Perhaps you would like a marmalade sandwich? I always keep one for emergencies,” before taking a sandwich out of his hat.
She then replies “So do I – I keep mine in here,” pulling a sandwich out of her handbag, adding: “For later.”
Let’s not forget her James Bond skit with Daniel Craig back in 2012 for the Olympics.
She could be seen alongside Craig as the 007 character escorted her to the Olympic Stadium.
What makes the whole thing even funnier, is that she never told her family she was doing it.
According to production stage manager Sam Hunter, “The Queen never told her family she was doing it,” he said on BBC Radio Four’s show The Reunion. “That was one of the stipulations when she agreed to be part of it.”
“So if you actually see when she comes and she takes her seat, you can see her family go, ‘Ah, nice one,’” he said.
Apart from her sense of humor, her ability to be present and carry out her role despite the many obstacles is getting people to praise the humble Queen.
According to reports, on Thursday September 6, the Queen was frail but in “good spirits.”
Noticeably, the Queen had a dark blue bruise on her right hand and people wondered if that was why she wore gloves on every occasion.
The final picture of the long-reigning monarch shows Her Majesty smiling and clutching her walking stick and black handbag while standing next to a fireplace at Balmoral Castle.
Since her devastating death, many have paid tribute to the Queen.
But just days after her passing, former colonies of the British Empire are asking for their diamonds to be returned from the Crown Jewels.
The 2 diamonds that total a whopping $800 million are the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which appears at the top of the crown of the Queen Mother, and the Great Star of Africa, set in the Sceptre.
Both are currently on display at the Tower of London.
The Koh-i-Noor is 105 carats and is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world. It is said to be priced at around $400 million.
However, the history of the diamond is quite controversial.
The diamond has been reported throughout history, with it first mentioned in Sanskrit script around 5,000 years ago.
Before it was shipped to Britain in 1849, the diamond resided in Punjab.
But after British forces took over, the area became the British East India Company and the diamond was taken to Britain where it was given to Queen Victoria in July 1850.
India, along with Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran has all claimed the diamond was taken from them and should be returned.
Indian politician Shashi Tharoor called out Britain as “ow[ing] its former colonies.”
“Instead of returning plundered patrimony to its rightful owners, the British are clinging to stolen artifacts such as the Kohinoor diamond, which they embedded in the Queen Mother’s tiara and shamelessly flaunt in the Tower of London,” Tharoor said.
Claims that The Great Star of Africa was also “stolen,” have been coming to the surface, with many in Africa wanting it to be returned.
Africa Archives tweeted: “Queen Elizabeth II owns the largest clear-cut diamond in the world known as the Great Star of Africa. The 530-carat gem was mined in South Africa back in 1905. It was stolen from South Africa. It has an estimated worth of $400 million.
“The British claim that it was given to them as a symbol of friendship and peace yet it was during colonialism. The British then replaced the name ‘The Great Star of Africa’ with name of Chairman of Mine ‘Thomas Cullinan’.”
What do you think of the claims?