Unforgettable

Irish Times

I was bemused by the pomp and circumstance of the royal wedding. Quite a show. But, as entertaining as it was, you still had to ask the question, What exactly is the point of the monarchy in this day and age?

Queen Elizabeth’s meaningful and sometimes quite moving visit to Ireland answers the question. In Dublin, the Queen participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance, a monument honoring those lost fighting against British rule

Two Military Police wreath-bearers offered the wreath to the Queen to lay before the monument; another was placed by (Irish) President (Mary) McAleese.

There followed a minute’s silence, one of such depth and intensity that few present are likely to forget it.

Later, cynical old hands confessed to being ‘surprised’ by the depth of their own emotions in those charged moments.