Three generations of Guernsey family reflect on Queen

A Guernsey family of three generations has reflected on their memories of the Queen

A Guernsey family of three generations has shared their memories of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

They said attending the proclamation of the King as a family was an experience they would not forget.

Michael Ward served in the RAF and and his son-in-law, Martin Browning served 12 years in the Royal Navy.

Mr Ward remembered when Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.

Both men "swore loyalty to the Queen" during their time in service.

Michael Ward was 17 when Her Majesty became Queen

Mr Ward said: "When the Queen was crowned, I was up in Dumfries in RAF regiment uniform.

"If I'd been called up two weeks earlier, I would have been one of those of the regiment lining the coronation route.

"Having joined the forces, I had to swear loyalty to the Queen, which I did, and I've always maintained that loyalty, now my loyal transfers to the new King."

'A huge presence'

Grandparent Diane Ward remembered the Queen's visits to the island, notably realising "how small" in height Her Majesty was in real life.

She said: "I do remember us lining up on Cambridge Park with the school to see the cars go past, and to see the Queen and Prince Philip.

"I think one of the surprising things was always how small she was, because when you actually saw her, she had a huge presence."

The family attended the proclamation of the King at St Peter Port

Eleanore Browning, Mr and Mrs Ward's daughter and mother to Christine and Samantha, served 14 years in the Royal Naval Reserve.

She held the Royal Standard on behalf of the Guernsey Association of Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Merchant Navy at the proclamation of the King.

She said being able to attend the proclamation together in Guernsey was "wonderful".

"On Sunday, I think it was wonderful for us all to be able to be at the proclamation of the King, so to go along and show support from all different generations as a family I think was very nice," she said.

Her husband Martin Browning said Her Majesty had served "right until the very end".

He said of his military service, it had "always been the same Commander-in-Chief, the Queen, all the way through, I've never known any other monarch until now".

His 14-year-old daughter, Christine said she thought the Queen was "definitely, very inspiring".

"I think she served her reign well, she did what she said she would early on in her life, she said she'd serve you until the end," she said.

Samantha said her school sang God Save the King in assembly the day after Her Majesty died

Her sister, Samantha, 11, was one of the Girl Guides handing out leaflets for the proclamation in St Peter Port.

She said her school had held an assembly the day after Her Majesty's death.

"We had an assembly about why she's so important and we all sang at the end to God Save the King," she said.

"I think she was a very important role model, she still is."

Mr Ward said after 70 years, it was "a bit strange last weekend once again singing God Save the King".

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