With offices in London and members of staff who have lived in the UK for many years, HGL has a strong affection for and connection to the United Kingdom. It was therefore a sad occasion for us to hear of the death of Queen Elizabeth, and we all wish to offer our condolences to both her family and the countless millions around the world who will deeply feel her loss.
We may remember her as a kind, grandmotherly figure of small stature but great dignity, speaking calmly and sensibly at great state occasions, public celebrations and during times of national crisis. Yet she was so much more. She served in uniform during World War II, and had her first radio conversation with the people of Britain during that conflict. She has been the Head of State for more than 70 years, not only of the United Kingdom but also of 14 other countries and territories. That’s a real job, with real work involved, and she was still doing this work three days before she died, overseeing the change of Prime Minister of the UK for the 15th time. She was very likely the only person ever to have met with 14 US Presidents, and she also met with Hungary’s own first President, Arpad Goncz when she visited Hungary in 1993.
Informed and lucid to her last day, she also had a considerable sense of fun, as demonstrated by her cameo role in the James Bond sequence at the opening of the 2012 London Olympics and by this year’s “Tea party” with Paddington Bear. There was no one else like her, and never will be again. We will miss you, Ma’am.