Second anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II marked with poignant church service

by Mick the Ram

The 8th September marks the second anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II who passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle aged 96, in 2022.

It also marks the two-year accession to the throne of King Charles III, and he spent part of his day attending a church near the Scottish estate, accompanied by his wife Camilla, where he undoubtedly undertook a period of reflection in remembrance of his beloved mother and contemplation of his time since then as the head of state.

The monarchy’s official social media account posted an endearing photograph of the late Queen, smiling at a Buckingham Palace garden party from the summer of 2019, alongside the words: “Remembering Queen Elizabeth II, 1926-2022.”

It is common practice for gun salutes to be fired on Accession Day, but because the anniversary has fallen on a Sunday this year, the military tribute by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery at Hyde Park and The Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London, have been moved to Monday the 9th.

Both of these regiments were responsible for firing the gun salutes to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II two years ago and the majority of the soldiers and horses participating, took part in Her Majesty’s state funeral.

Queen a regular worshipper at estate church

The church service was held at Crathie Kirk, the royal family’s place of worship when they stay in nearby Balmoral Castle and a place where the late Queen was a regular attendee.

The King has been staying on his Aberdeenshire estate in the Highlands of Scotland for much of the summer and was seen arriving with Camilla at the tiny granite church early on Sunday morning.

Charles’ great-great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria actually laid the foundation stone for the 19th-century building, which stands on a hill just a short drive from the castle and the royal couple waved to a small crowd which had gathered outside, on their arrival.

Country warned of serious nature of Queen’s condition

Two years ago Britain had just changed Prime Minister when royal doctors ordered the Queen – who was in her Platinum Jubilee year – to rest and postpone her Privy Council meeting.

Rumours began to circulate regarding her health early on the morning of 8 September and shortly after noon the Palace released a concerning statement that informed the country of the seriousness of her condition.

Two eldest children at her bedside

The Princess Royal was already with her mother and following an alert, Charles – who was then the Prince of Wales – arrived with Camilla.

Princes Andrew, Edward and William made an urgent dash to be at her bedside, but Harry had to travel up alone. In the end they were all too late, as Her Majesty died at 3.10pm, although the public announcement was delayed by just over three hours.

Huge state funeral

There followed a period of 10 days of national mourning with Queen Elizabeth II – after seven decades on the throne – honoured with processions, vigils, a lying in state, culminating in a grand state funeral in Westminster Abbey on 19 September.  

Later that day there was a moving committal service, where she was buried alongside her husband, Prince Philip, her parents and her sister Princess Margaret’s ashes, in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, Windsor.

Cancer setback not significantly slowing the king down

Upon her death, Charles automatically ascended the throne and after issues with his youngest son in the lead up to his coronation in 2023, he would have hoped for a more stable year in 2024.

As has been widely publicised, health matters across the royal family have meant that has not been at all possible. The King and his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales were both diagnosed with cancer in the early months and have been battling their conditions ever since.

To his credit, the 75-year-old monarch hasn’t really allowed the on-going treatment to hold him back too much, and royal sources have been quoted as saying his health is “heading in a positive trajectory”.

Enjoying himself at the games  

Just 24 hours before the poignant service, Charles looked in great spirits when he and Camilla attended the annual Braemar Gathering – an event that has run since 1832 and attended by the reigning monarch since Queen Victoria first made an appearance in 1848 – where they watched the hugely popular Highland Games.

He was dressed in a fetching tartan kilt and was seen laughing out loud on numerous occasions, as competitors took part in traditional games such as tug-of-war and the caber toss, whilst also enjoying performances by bagpipers, drummers and dancers.

Following a tradition

Some questioned why no public event was arranged to commemorate the second anniversary of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, but it actually followed a tradition set by Her Majesty after the death of her father, King George VI in February 1952.

On each anniversary of his passing thereafter, she would spend her day at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where she would mourn privately.