SIR – After the brickbats thrown at England by Nicola Sturgeon and her acolytes, there has been a risk of all Scots being tarred with the same brush.
However, tracking the progress of Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin through a large chunk of Scotland, we have seen the Scots at their finest. There has been no theatrical wailing – just a deeply felt sadness at the death of a highly respected monarch and friend to the Scottish people.
From the crowds in the cities to the individuals by the roadsides to the tractors lining one stretch of motorway and the pony club ranks standing by the route, it has felt as though we have all linked arms.
Christopher Garrod
Ripe, East Sussex
SIR – On Sunday we in Scotland spoke in silence at kerb edges as our late Queen’s coffin passed.
We will speak more loudly when we cheer the King and sing our British national anthem.
Dr Andy Ashworth
Bo’ness, West Lothian
SIR – Phil Angell (Letters, September 12) is quite right. Sometimes we want to appreciate things for ourselves.
As the cortège moved along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh on Sunday, even the commentator had to remind herself and her colleague at least twice to stop talking, turn up the microphone and let us listen to the clapping.
Derek Cheeseman
Broadstone, Dorset
SIR – Edward I commemorated his beloved wife, Eleanor, by erecting crosses in each town where her body rested during her final journey.
Perhaps this idea could be used again to commemorate the beloved late Queen, with crosses in the main places her coffin passed through – for instance Balmoral, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Northolt, Westminster and Windsor.
Bryan A Bishop
Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire
SIR – One of the most heartening things about the wonderful service at St Paul’s Cathedral was the makeup of the congregation. Not the usual dignitaries in formal suits and extravagant hats—but ordinary people who had come because they wanted to be part of a historic occasion and pay tribute to a much-loved queen. Above all, however, I was struck by the number of young people.
Susan Cunliffe
Woodbridge, Suffolk
SIR – Pay no attention to republican chicanery: watching tens of thousands of decent, everyday folk lining the route of the late Queen’s coffin has been both uplifting and reassuring. It is like seeing the true backbone of Britain.
Bob Stebbings
Chorleywood, Hertfordshire
SIR – Before the death of Queen Elizabeth, I had rather thought that, when the day arrived, it would be time to get rid of the monarchy.
But as the news came through, I was suddenly struck by what monarchy means to Britain and the world. It felt as though the late Queen had been our rock, our anchor. It is now King Charles III who can hold us firm.
I hope others have similar epiphanies.
Angie Pooke
Newton Abbott, Devon
SIR – Since the death of Queen Elizabeth, King Charles and other members of the Royal family have already undertaken a formidable series of engagements up and down the country.
With nearly another week until the state funeral, this relentless schedule will continue, and they will have little opportunity to come to terms with their personal loss, or to grieve in private. Their commitment to service is all the more remarkable considering that most of us of a similar age to King Charles have been happily retired for some time.
Patricia Reid
Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
SIR – I’m an English teacher in Montpellier, France. I have always been passionate about the language of Shakespeare, which I had the pleasure to discover at the age of 10. Since then, I have been fascinated by British culture, the Royal family and especially Queen Elizabeth II. Over the years it was as if, deep in my heart, I had become one of her subjects.
I knew the day of her death would come, but I was not ready for it. For me, as for many, she was immortal. I am deeply sad.
I had the privilege to see her three times and to attend her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. I will never forget my emotion when we received a letter from her lady-in-waiting to congratulate us after the birth of our twins. My Elizabeth is proud to have the same name as the greatest queen of all time.
Long live the King.
Delphine Tabaries-Poncet
Montpellier, Herault, France
SIR – As priest in charge of the Parish of St John, in Birkdale, Southport, I used to visit an elderly Scottish lady, who among other things would regale me with tales of how she used to play with the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret at Balmoral as a child.
She and the late Queen were very similar in age, and Barbara’s father had been one of the estate’s gamekeepers. When the Royal family came to stay, Barbara was invited up, and they became firm friends.
When Barbara died, I wrote to Queen Elizabeth to inform her, saying that I was not sure of the actuality of the stories but that I had heard them often. I received a letter in reply from one of her staff, saying how touched she had been to be informed, and how she remembered Barbara with great affection for her companionship in those long-past summer days.
I already held Queen Elizabeth in high esteem, but this letter raised her even further.
Jeremy Leffler
Birkenhead, Wirral
SIR – On Thursday September 8 2022, my wife and I received a card from Queen Elizabeth congratulating us on our 60th wedding anniversary.
Dr John E Lloyd
Darlington, Co. Durham
SIR – Much has been said about Queen Elizabeth’s love of dogs and horses, but there is a particular incident that I have not heard mentioned.
Some years ago during a trip to the United States she visited a stud farm. As she stood there, a little elderly woman among a number of strapping men, a horse reared up. The late Queen was the only person who did not move back, started, because she really understood horses.
Andrew Rixon
Hertford
SIR – I went to school at Beaumont College, Old Windsor, which Queen Elizabeth visited on two occasions.
At weekends we used to walk in Windsor Great Park and sometimes watch the polo on Smith’s Lawn. On one walk a school friend tripped over a dog lead and swore rather profanely. When he picked himself up he realized that holding the lead was Queen Elizabeth.
She just smiled.
Malcolm Pritchett
Pyrford, Surrey
SIR – As the nation mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the RAF Benevolent Fund would like to celebrate her life and unwavering dedication to the country during 70 years on the throne.
The late Queen showed an inspirational sense of duty during her reign and, as the RAF Benevolent Fund’s patron from 1952 until her death, provided endless support for those who served her country, including the RAF family.
She tirelessly supported the fund’s work, with highlights including the unveiling of its Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, London; visiting children at the fund’s Airplay youth club at RAF Lossiemouth in 2014; and the patron’s lunch on the mall to celebrate her 90th birthday.
During her reign she demonstrated the true spirit of public service and integrity, and the significance of military service. As she poignantly said: “I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else – I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.”
Air Vice Marshal Chris Elliot
Controller, RAF Benevolent Fund
London W1
SIR – Matthew Dennison (Sunday, September 11) writes that Queen Elizabeth’s childhood French lessons were delivered “via a set of gramophone records”. However, during the Second World War Madame Montaudon-Smith lived at Windsor and taught French to both Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
Monty, as she was always known, had previously been governess to my mother and her brother, and also to Alathea Fitzalan Howard, who spent a great deal of time with the princesses during the war years. Monty enjoyed bicycling, fishing, picking damsons, picnicking, playing with the dogs, singing French songs with the princesses and catching flies for their pet chameleon. She was good fun although extremely strict, as my brothers and I found out when she came to look after us in the early 1950s.
Brought up in Tours in central France, Monty was very musical. I understood she was accepted to study at the Paris Conservatoire but her twin sister was not, and her stepfather would not allow her to go on her own. The sisters both became governesses, and were both known as Monty. Our Monty married a mysterious Mr Smith, and she left the princesses at Windsor briefly to join him in London, but returned later. When she was with us she never spoke of Mr Smith.
Both princesses invited Monty to their weddings. She remained in touch with the late Queen, exchanging letters and Christmas cards until Monty’s death in 1978. Each year on March 8, Monty’s birthday, a Rolls Royce bearing flowers would be dispatched to her from Buckingham Palace.
Caroline Coke
Towcester, Northamptonshire
SIR – I couldn’t agree more with Hilary Davan Wetton (Letters, September 10) about the cancellation of Last Night of the Proms.
As a ticket holder I was hoping that the BBC would have the vision to respond as it did to the traumatic events of September 11 2001. On that occasion it produced a program of American music that reflected the mood perfectly and provided a means for people to mourn together.
Instead we have had to endure hours of platitudes from the poor anchor men and women who have had to say the same thing in different ways multiple times. Music would have said it with far greater force and emotion. What a missed opportunity.
Daniel Tomkins
London SW11
SIR – I offer an example of the use of ER in a crossword clue (Letters, September 12) now that Queen Elizabeth has died: “Fur of queen once belonged to me.”
Jack Rees
Tadley, Hampshire
Letters to the Editor
We accept letters by post, fax and email only. Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers.
ADDRESS: 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0DT
FAX: 020 7931 2878
EMAIL: dtletters@telegraph.co.uk
FOLLOW: Telegraph Letters on Twitter @LettersDesk