British nationals from Limousin were already very numerous in front of their televisions when the news fell on Thursday evening: Queen Elizabeth II is dead. The emotion is very strong in the homes, even if the reactions are mixed because the English settled in our region have sometimes cut ties with the life of the royal family. It prevents, a page in the history of the United Kingdom, therefore of their history, has turned with the disappearance of the queen and the emotion is often very strong.
We will never have a monarch like her again – Lawrence, English teacher in Limoges
Lawrence, an English teacher in a high school in Limoges, is particularly affected. “She is a historical figure, she symbolized the United Kingdom, we will never have a monarch like her again. It is really a great emotion”. so touched, that Lawrence isn’t sure whether to bring up the subject on his own in front of his students : “if they ask me I will answer, but not on my own because it’s a lot of emotions… and I prefer to remain in control of my emotions”.
Lawrence is moved, but he is also worried. In his eyes, the death of Elizabeth II falls at the worst time for the United Kingdom. “The country didn’t necessarily need that, on the contrary it needed stability because politics there are so unstable. We no longer have the person who symbolized continuity…”
Andrew lives in Saint Martial sur Isop and looks upset : “She is the queen for all my life! She has a very important role in the life of all English people. For us, it is a very important part of our life so it is a very sad moment”.
In Limoges, Stephanie is also shocked. “She’s always been there” she sighs, “the royal family, whether we like it or not, it [la reine] is a reference. She was a remarkable woman, it’s the end of an era.”