Day: August 11, 2021

The Royal Herald approached the main gate to the palace. Under one arm was his trumpet. In his other hand, he clutched several documents, fluttering in the breeze. On the other side of the gate stood thousands of people, at least ten people deep. Those of the throng who were closest to the gate noticed that the messenger’s papers were held together by a tiny piece of metal wire that had been bent and twisted in such a way that it held the papers together into a neat pile. (In later days, this piece of metal would be called a paperclip.)

After giving his trumpet a mighty blast, the herald lifted the documents before his face. “Hear yea! Hear yea!” He intoned. “It is with great sorrow that the Palaces announces the death of our most dread and noble King. Long live the Queen!”

In response, the crowd shouted jubilantly, “Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen!”Hats, scarves, even flowers were tossed into the air to begin the celebrations of crowning the Queen.