On the forecourt of the old baroque cathedral of Birmingham, with its faded roof and bricks cracked by time, a huge carpet of multicolored flowers grows day by day. Betty, bundled up in a worn raincoat, places a dozen white daisies, her favorite flowers. “I don’t consider myself a royalist, but the queen… I really have a lot of respect and love for her,” she told Europe 1.
Birmingham Cathedral, in front of which Britons pay homage to the Queen.
Photo credits: Nina Droff/Europe 1
Like Betty, many Britons pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 96 after 70 years of reign, even though this city in central England tops the ranking of the least royalist cities from the country.
Elizabeth II, “a true example of devotion”
Carrie and her mother Rose place photos of the sovereign on the ground during one of her visits to Birmingham. They never really cared about the royal family, but they wanted to salute this exceptional woman. “Personally I have mixed feelings about the monarchy,” concedes the first, “but it was a real example of devotion,” says Carrie.
A photo of the Queen during one of her visits to Birmingham filed by Carrie and Rose.
“She was a whole woman, everyone who knew her speaks well of her,” says Rose. “Just for that, we wanted to pay our respects,” resumes his daughter. “She dedicated her life to her people and it’s important to recognize that.”
Another picture of the Queen during one of her visits to Birmingham filed by Carrie and Rose.
A large panel of locals pays homage to the Queen
A little behind, Matt Thomson, dean of the cathedral, marvels at the diversity of people who have come to meditate. “The queen was able to establish relationships with people from all communities, all opinions,” he explains at the microphone of Europe 1. “Her integrity really touched people in their hearts.”
A tribute photo to the Queen inside the cathedral.
An integrity shared, according to him, Charles III, the new king.