I guess we all knew the Queen would not live forever but she has been around for so long. It was sad tonight to hear the news of her death. She has lived through so much and so many changes. As we were explaining it to the kids, we tried to explain how she has been an important figure for so long and all the many family changes she has experienced.

This provoked quite a conversation about monarchies and the French monarchy in particular, which is of course, another whole story!

I remembered the time I almost, kind of, met her! She attended the 70th anniversary of D day here in Normandy and I was looking after a group of Australian veterans attending the ceremonies.

She came by and spoke to our veterans and was very gracious. They enjoyed meeting her.

Whatever we think of monarchies, the Queen was driven by a sense of duty and sacrificed much in her role.

I also reflected on my meetings with our new King Charles III. He attended many of the centenary ceremonies including this photo of him in NZ uniform at a New Zealand ceremony at Longueval in the Somme.

As Prince Charles he also attended our Australian centenary ceremony for the 100th anniversary of the battle of Villers- Bretonneux on Anzac Day. It was our job to look after him, making all the arrangements and preparations. I distinctly remember having to organise the people who got to meet and chat with him! Quite hard work!

It really is a historic change and amazing to think we are just across the water from the UK where all this is currently unfolding. We could almost pop across to Westminster Abbey…!

Of course, we also share a bond as corgi lovers 😁