Local British expat remembers Queen Elizabeth II

By George Slaughter, News Editor
Posted 9/15/22

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who died last Thursday at age 96, had admirers in Katy.

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Local British expat remembers Queen Elizabeth II

Posted

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who died last Thursday at age 96, had admirers in Katy.

One of them is Helen Hall. She is a clinician’s aide at Cinco Ranch High School. She and her family moved from the UK to Texas in 2000. But while she said Texas is home now, one can’t take the Brit out of the girl.

Like people around the world, Hall and her daughters have followed the news from the UK.

“We were all devastated when Queen Elizabeth died,” Hall said. “We thought she'd live forever. We never thought she would die. England will not be the same without the queen.”

Hall admired how the queen carried herself, and for being patient when her children had escapades that brought unwanted scrutiny and headlines.

“She never put her foot wrong,” Hall said. “She was such a gracious lady with a beautiful smile. She’ll definitely be missed. Charles has some big boots to fill, that’s for sure.”

Elizabeth’s eldest son Charles ascended the throne as King Charles III. Elizabeth’s funeral is set for Monday at Westminster Abbey in London.

“I just love the Abbey,” Hall said. “It’s such a magnificent place. Nobody does pomp and circumstance like the Brits. My daughter said we’d have to get up early to watch the funeral. I told my coworker I would probably be late to work that day.”

After the funeral, the coffin is to be taken for burial at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, outside London, next to her late husband, Prince Philip.

Elizabeth’s 70-year reign is the longest in the history of the British monarchy. She ascended the throne upon the death of her father, King George VI, who died in 1952.

Hall also paid tribute to Philip, who died last year.

“I suspect she couldn’t have done it without him,” Hall said.

The British International School of Houston, 2203 N. Westgreen Blvd., was making its preparations to commemorate Elizabeth’s life and reign but those plans had not been finalized as of press time.

Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom, King Charles III