Local British community mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II

The local British community in our region says it feels like one of their own family members died today.

With heavy hearts owners of The British Grocer, Chris and Sean Keld watched the news coverage back home as broadcasters react to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

“No matter what your opinion was about the royal family, she was an icon. She was the glue,” Chris said.

Chris Keld served the royal family as a chef back in the 1980s and remembers her majesty as a queen of the people.

“After a function, she would come in, very pleasant, say thank you, great job, lovely meal, really appreciated it. Very kind and thoughtful like that, same as the family, Princess Diana the same, Charles…” Chris said.

Today began with Buckingham Palace releasing a statement saying doctors were concerned for her health and by afternoon news outlets like the BBC turned their webpage colour to black and the royal family confirmed her death.

“For almost half of Canada’s existence, she had an obvious deep, abiding love and affection for Canadians,” prime minster Justin Trudeau said.

Premier Doug Ford also paid tribute to Britain’s monarch and added, “while I express my sincere condolences to King Charles III, I also congratulate his majesty on his ascension to the throne of the United Kingdom and wish him great success in continuing his mother’s legacy.”

The owners of The British Grocer say in honour of the queen they’ll likely close their shops the day of her funeral. No date is officially set yet but under royal protocols, there is supposed to be 10 days of mourning following the monarch’s death.