The Queen is dead; Long live the King! 8 Sep. 2022 Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary It has happened.  Although we knew it was inevitable, it was shocking when it was announced.  Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, my gracious sovereign came to the end of her earthly life.  She was the only monarch I ever knew throughout my life.  I was surprised how hard it actually has effected me.  I was never fortunate enough to meet the Queen, but through reading plenty, and seeing her so often on the telly, I felt that I had come to know something about her.  She was a constant presence, a rock of stability in a turbulent age.  As a Canadian, I was proud to claim her as my monarch.  Now, she is gone. Her Majesty, the late Queen was truly an extraordinary woman and monarch.  She ascended the throne at the young age of twenty-five, reigning for seventy years.  During her reign she has had fifteen Prime Ministers.  Her reign encompassed four...