'She was quite a lady': British expatriates in Worcester express sorrow over queen's death

WORCESTER — British expatriates who reside in the city expressed sadness when news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death at 96 was announced Thursday by Buckingham Palace in Westminster, London, United Kingdom.

Elizabeth died Thursday at her summer residence, Balmoral Castle, in Scotland.

“I’m saddened like everyone else of British heritage, regardless of their views on what the monarchy represents,” said Steve Teasdale, executive director of the Main South Community Development Corporation on Main Street.

Teasdale, who grew up in Wales and lived in Scotland, remarked that Elizabeth’s reign of 70 years and 214 days — the longest of any British monarch — extended beyond the years he's been alive.

“People always looked forward to her Christmas Day address to the nation," said Teasdale, who has dual U.S./British citizenship.

“She always summed up optimism....she was respected, admired, conducted herself with dignity and had a tremendous effect as a stateswoman.”

Sandra Foster, who works at Bay State Physical Therapy on Glennie Street, said she also felt sadness when she heard of Elizabeth's death.

Foster was born and raised in London before coming to the states.

“(The queen) was an amazing woman. She was loved by everyone,” Foster said.

Foster learned in a text message from her husband about Elizabeth's death, and she plans to watch on TV any news of the monarchy as the next few days unfold in the United Kingdom.

“It’s hard for someone not a Brit to understand why we have a queen," she said. “Everyone knew she was getting old. It’s the end of an era, isn’t it?”

'Not a royalist'

Mark Giard lives about 100 miles west of London, in Gloucestershire County. He moved there in 2000 from the small Central Massachusetts town of Hardwick and described himself as “not a royalist.”

“I’m probably unique,” said Giard, whose comments came before the queen’s death, when reports surfaced Thursday morning that doctors were concerned about her health.

“Americans find the royal family romantic. There’s a lot of glamor and glitz. Living here, the royal family has no power, virtually. I don’t see the point of the royal family.”

Meanwhile, the British Consul General to New England, Dr. Peter Abbott, was in the city Thursday, when he spoke at a breakfast hosted by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Abbott declined a request for comment on the queen's death.

His office issued a brief statement that said, “The Consulate is deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

Charles the successor

King Charles III assumes the throne, as he is the queen's eldest son and heir. At 73, Charles has waited decades for this position.

“Charlie boy has waited quite a long time. If he’s not ready now, he will never be ready,” Foster said.

As for Giard, he prefers Elizabeth's years of service over her oldest son's turn to run the monarchy.

“She seems a better figure of authority in that position, but Charles has to step up to it,” he said.

Amazed at longevity

For expatriates like Teasdale and Foster, they are amazed at the queen’s longevity, her dignity and service.

“It was a remarkable period of service, by someone quite remarkable,” Teasdale said.

"She’s just a big part of the UK and just admired for her devotion to her country and her people. For her to have ruled for so many years is quite an achievement," Foster said.

"She was much loved. She was quite a lady."

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @henrytelegram

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: British expatriates in Worcester express sadness over Queen Elizabeth II death