Heart and Soul: Remembering Queen Elizabeth II

In this file photo taken on March 23, 1950, the Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain greets Winston Churchill at a Guildhall reception, in London. Photo: AFP

When I was a young child growing up, I often saw portraits hanging on the walls of homes, shops and government offices, of a charming lady with a crown on her head and a sash across her elegant dress as well as pictures of her in a smart uniform sitting on a horse.

I didn’t know who she was but it felt good just staring at her portrait because in many ways she reminded me of mother, the queen of my heart. So it was only natural that this affection for this beautiful lady was to stay with me forever.