Carry On Koby

I hope that non-subscribers to the online edition of The Times (of London) can access this obituary by clicking on this link:

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/the-hon-margaret-rhodes-8ljn8b96b

Respectful, fascinating, a bit of a tear-jerker. The Queen will be devastated by this loss, her cousin but a close friend, a confidante, someone who knew The Queen so well, someone who The Queen knew so well, such a connection, going back to ‘the beginning’, to ‘lighter’ times, when they were children without a care in the world  –  how many people, does The Queen have around her with whom she can really relax and just be ‘normal’? My guess is not many and that is so sad.

The Queen is surrounded by family and loved ones but, in some respects, she may well still feel, in the context of soul-mates – and that’s what I think this friendship was, I think it was that close – she may well feel, at times, lonely and loneliness is a terrible thing. The Queen has spent her life, particularly from the time when her father became King, in a ‘gilded prison’ and it’s my guess that the time she spent with Margaret Rhodes was a real escape.

This lady was living history, a witness, at very close and personal quarters, to the life of the Windsors, through the many ups and downs of Royal and British life. The loss will be felt well beyond the Royal circle.

My heart goes out to The Queen (and, of course, to the rest of Mrs. Rhodes’ family).

The Hon. Margaret Rhodes, RIP