After 70 years on the throne, farming says goodbye to one its biggest supporters. Emily Ashworth reflects on The Queens passion for rural life.
On September 8, as news came that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away, a wave of sorrow swept through the nation.
Steadfast in her commitment to this country, her dedication to her duties and everything in between was nothing short of inspiring.
But a huge part of her heart clearly belonged to the countryside, with her fondness for country sports, farming and her horses evident over the decades all, of course, passions which were passed down from generations of Royals before.
The Queen wanted to be a farmer
As a child, she apparently told her nanny that when she grew up, she would like to be a farmers wife. The life she went on to lead was one that simply landed in her lap after a series of unfortunate events, and although she carried out her role wholeheartedly, those iconic snapshots of her donning wellies, a headscarf and a waterproof coat, trailing across fields with her dogs or on horseback, truly capture her at some of her happiest times.
Gun dogs were just one of her favoured activities, having accompanied her father, King George VI, on shooting parties. But it is said that the King thought this unseemly for a princess and tried his best to discourage her.
Yet true to form, The Queen continued to pursue her interest and, working alongside renowned trainer Bill Meldrum from Scotland, established a unique gun dog breeding programme.
Her historic herd of Jersey cows are also infamous, as we explored in theFarmers Guardians Jubilee special,with a blood line stretching back to 1871. Fitting, given her own unique timeline as the longest reigning monarch this country has ever seen.
Let us not forget that she was quite the trailblazer too - The Queen was actually the first female patron of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and remained so for 45 years.
But beyond her involvement in the practicalities of farming and rural activities, one of The Queens most remarkable qualities was her ability to embed herself within the agricultural community.
Over the last week the sector has mourned, celebrated, and reflected on the figurehead that for many has been a constant in their lives since before they were born; one who really seemed to have a sincere interest in rural life, traditions and more so, its communities.
She was The Queen of the people many have expressed how at ease she made them feel upon meeting her, but also how knowledgeable she was, as she strolled around endless agricultural shows.
Tom Evans, a sheep farmer from Wales, who spoke of his time meeting The Queen, was honoured at being personally remembered by her even though 10 years had gone by.
The industry has paid its respect since her passing, with outpourings of gratitude and condolences filling social media platforms many feature images of her with her beloved Jerseys and as one post on Farming History UK and Ireland said, a fitting picture to remember a great cattlewoman.
Minette Batters, president of the Nations Farmers Union also released her statement to say that words cannot describe the deep sense of sadness that I and the rest of the farming community will feel at the news of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
She went on to express how The Queens deep connection to the countryside has been valued enormously by farmers and has left a remarkable legacy that will continue for generations.
And that it will. The Queen was patron of more than 600 agricultural organisations, young farmers across the country lit hundreds of beacons for the Jubilee in honour of their longstanding patron and she was a member of the Womens Institute for 80 years. Her presence and support in key agricultural groups will be sorely missed.
But although we head into a new era and welcome King Charles III, it is only fitting to acknowledge how her love for rural life has, just as it was to her, been passed on to her children and grandchildren, all of whom have shown great affection and enthusiasm for the countryside and the environment.
Charles has been active in his role in highlighting the need for nature friendly farming and has his own commitments to ensuring farming plays a key role in climate change, spearheading one of the sectors most well-known charities, The Princes Countryside Fund (PCF). Through its innovative funding schemes, the PCF has supported many farmers and helped countless communities survive and thrive.
New era as King Charles III takes the throne
So, as we say goodbye and close one rather large chapter in history, farming will continue to honour her legacy in many ways, whether that be through championing traditional country pursuits, adopting her distinguished sense of duty or by simply enjoying the beauty of the Great British countryside.
London may be the landmark by which many associate with royalty, but for The Queen, her home was in the countryside, finding peace in one of her beloved estates - Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and the 50,000-acre Balmoral Estate, in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.
And it is perhaps the words of her only daughter, Princess Anne, in an interview in 2020, which sum up her mothers true connection to the countryside perfectly: Scotland had its influence on my mother as did the big skies of Norfolk, and the huge fields and marshes of the Sandringham Estate.
Windsors Home Park and Great Park were a constant presence for her, as they were for all of us.
