OUT NOW:
Remembering Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Overseas Magazine, Issue 732
December 2022 - February 2023
Before September, most of us couldn’t imagine a Britain in which Elizabeth Windsor was not Queen. In these present times of political, economic, and global turbulence we – both royalists and republicans alike – especially miss the sense of quiet yet dignified reassurance she represented.
At ROSL the Queen’s place was not just one of Royal Patron, but Head of a Commonwealth, across which it has been our privilege to enable and promote friendship and collaboration for over a century. Throughout her reign, the Queen was a committed champion of the Commonwealth, and during her tenure as its leader, the institution has expanded, blossomed and amplified the voices of its member nations across the globe. Here at ROSL, we renew our commitment to strengthening ties and championing collaboration across the Commonwealth, in tribute to the monarch who led it with such duty and commitment.
In this special edition, we pay homage to HM the Queen’s tireless and committed service to the Commonwealth and to ROSL itself, including a heartfelt tribute from Dicky Arbiter LVO, the Royal Press Secretary for the Queen on page 6, while the High Commissioner of Malta shares the very special affection the Queen had for this Commonwealth nation on page 10. Hon. Alexander Downer AC reflects on the Queen’s contribution to the Commonwealth and its future without her on page 12, and I dig into our archives to relive the Queen’s many visits to ROSL, and ROSL coverage of the Royals over her reign.
I also had the privilege to speak to artists Christian Furr – whose characterful portrait of the Queen takes pride of place on the front cover of this edition, and also the Over-Seas House lobby – and Anna Rumsby, whose quirky images of Her Majesty have delighted members on Christmas cards and prints over the years.
We’ll be back with a more regular edition in March and in the meantime we wish members a peaceful Christmas and a very happy New Year.
- Rosie Allen, Overseas Editor
