Montrealers react to Queen’s death: ‘She provided stability’

Montrealers reacted to the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday saying she provided stability.

“She had class and what not. She was, you know a woman with hats, you know, that’s always a new hat always a new thing. So she set the fashion,” said Walter Ziobro.

“She was stable. That’s that’s a cool, cool thing about the Queen. She wasn’t political, but she was very stable. And we need stability. And in times like this,” explained another man.

“When we lived in Britain for sometime, we asked them once what is it about the monarchy – I can’t image living under a King or a Queen – and that every one of them had the same answer. It’s because it unifies the nation and they forget all their political differences when it comes to monarchy. And that was the standard answer that we got,” said one woman.

For many, it’s more about what their grandparents would think or say about the Queen that they remember.

“My grandmother loved the Queen. She was a good figurehead, and she had a hard life. She was very professional all the time,” said one Montrealer.

But others feeling like the historic moment, doesn’t really impact them.

“I feel like in Canada we’re disconnected a little bit. Well, at least in Quebec. So honestly, I feel like it’s like a historical moment, but to me it doesn’t really mean anything,” said one woman.

“My friend was just saying imagine now we’ve got Prince [Charles] on our bills. You know, it’s going to look funny because the Queen won’t be there anymore,” continued Ziobro.

“She’s been around for such a long time and didn’t appreciate that she was Queen for 15 Prime Ministers,” added another man. “The monarchy will change as the younger people take a greater hand in trying to sort out all the issues the monarchy, monarchy has had for the last 20 years. So I think it’s going to be exciting long term for the Brits.