“PRECIOUS MEMORIES” – by Des Kelly
I remember her so well. It was 1954, one day prior to her 28th birthday, when the most beautiful Queen of the Commonwealth of Nations set foot in Ceylon, with her Prince Consort, Phillip, to review her “troops” before heading on to Aden.
Being in The Royal Ceylon Navy at the time, I was lucky enough to get just a glimpse of one of the most beautiful women on Earth, (and she was, believe me), being 18 years old, and in HER ‘Senior Royal Service’, I, like so many others in the Navy, could not take our eyes off her. Queen Elizabeth ll was a veritable picture, outside a golden frame. I was PROUD of her then, going on, to be prouder still, of this very young Queen, going on & on through life, keeping the promise she made to her people, come what may.
Lilibet, as she was known to her parents and younger sister, was the eldest child of King George V1 & the Queen Mum (also Elizabeth), was her Dad’s favourite daughter, & his love for her was returned in full measure. She loved her dad, and I feel sure that it was this love that prompted her to be very much her father’s daughter, when she, in accordance with royal protocol, took over as Monarch.
Lilibet did, and the rest, as they say, is history. She ruled the Commonwealth Nations for 70 years, Queen Elizabeth ll, doing a most difficult job, as it was, with what seemed a gentleness that suited her.
Queen Elizabeth ll has now passed on, aged 96, and millions of people around the World are now grieving the fact.
Because she also loved Ceylon & e’Lanka is such a big part of this Island Paradise, I have dedicated both this story and song to the Queen that we should never forget.
Memories are priceless, hence the song.
Desmond Kelly.
(Editor-in-Chief) e-Lanka.
