Thursday 8 September 2022 09:16 PM God Rest The Queen: Grace, courage, and devotion: MEGHAN MCCAIN's deeply ... trends now
The United Kingdom has lost its beloved Queen. Her global admirers have lost an icon. And - maybe – the world has lurched into a new and uncertain era.
I am a patriotic American. But I am more deeply saddened and impacted by the news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II than I could ever have anticipated.
That is for one simple reason: Queen Elizabeth transcended national loyalty.
She did not rule over the United Kingdom as her forebears did. But she did lead. And she did it with magnificent grace, and inspirational poise, and truly great courage.
It is remarkable that Elizabeth began her reign at age 27 years old. She ruled for seven decades. She saw her nation through wars, political unrest, global catastrophes, deeply personal family tragedies, a global pandemic and so much more – and she did all of this selflessly, keeping a stiff upper lip as is the British custom.
What makes her passing so forceful to Americans is the real connection she made between our nations. She nurtured and maintained our Special Relationship, because she knew instinctively that - despite our history of conflict - the United States has no more trusted ally than the United Kingdom.
Our shared language, ideals and legal and political practices have forged an intractable bond between two countries more alike than any other in the world.
Queen Elizabeth was a constant through our tumultuous modern history. She met every sitting U.S. president since Harry Truman, save LBJ.
Queen Elizabeth was a constant through our tumultuous modern history. She met every sitting U.S. president since Harry Truman, save LBJ. (Above) President Gerald Ford dancing with Queen Elizabeth II during the 1976 Bicentennial Celebrations of the Declaration of Independence at the White House
Who can forget the Queen's meeting with First Lady Michelle Obama (above) – when she broke protocol and dropped formalities to embrace the First Lady – while grinning ear to ear.
She was there in so many iconic images - dancing with President Gerald Ford, riding on horseback with President Ronald Reagan, dining with President Barack Obama and welcoming President Donald Trump to Buckingham Palace.
After the September 11th attacks, Queen Elizabeth broke a 600-year-old royal tradition and requested that the 'Star-Spangled Banner' be played during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
It was the first time that has ever happened outside of a foreign state visit.
And who can forget the Queen's meeting with First Lady Michelle Obama – when she broke protocol and dropped formalities to embrace the First Lady – while grinning ear to ear.
Beyond the careful fostering of this relationship, she achieved something more: as not only one of the most famous and powerful people on the planet, but as a woman – a fact of profound significance that must never be underappreciated or overlooked.
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