The Brandenburg Gate shone in the colors of the British flag on Friday evening Photo: AFP
By Johannes Malinowski
Queen Elizabeth II visited the capital seven times during her more than 70-year reign. Five state visits and two unofficial visits. And even after her death, the Berliners are closely connected to the queen.
When the Queen first arrived in 1965, World War II was only 20 years old. With her visit, she stretched out her hand to the people of Berlin. Her relationship with the capital remained special.
Gabi G. (72), pensioner from Mahlow, formerly Friedenau: “She has been with me my whole life. For as long as I can remember she has been a big thing for me. I was there in 1965 when she came to Berlin after the war. I’ve always admired her. Her political actions, although she was never allowed to say anything. She has shown a lot of who she is and how she thinks in silence through presence and contacts. I found her beautiful and charming. I was touched by her loneliness in Westminster after her husband died. For me she was a person who was good. Who was dutiful and could touch others. She really touched me. King Charles will have to pull himself together in his statements. But he will manage because he has the same sense of humor as his mother.” Photo: Christian Lohse
Shortly after her death was announced on Thursday evening, the first mourners came to the British Embassy on Wilhelmstrasse in Mitte. The flag flies at half-mast there.
Adam Schonfeld (38), historian from Kreuzberg: “I am Canadian and was your subject. It’s unbelievable, for my generation, she’s the only queen we’ve known. Unfortunately I missed her when she visited in 2015. I hope King Charles continues the continuity” Photo: Christian Lohse
And yesterday morning, Berliners and guests dropped flowers, letters and flags every minute. In 2000, the Queen ceremonially opened the new boathouse building near the Brandenburg Gate.
A book of condolences has been there since Friday. Berliners lined up in a long line in front of the main entrance. The grieving people can leave their condolences until September 19th.
Frank Meyer (53), web developer from Tiergarten: “The Queen inaugurated the new British Embassy and walked through the Brandenburg Gate with great symbolic value. As early as the 1950s, the royal family supplied trees for the reforestation of the Tiergarten. This tree was not only symbolic but also very personal. The Queen told the trapped Berliners that the British were behind them.” Photo: Christian Lohse
The book is accessible on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Security checks take place at the entrance.
Wulf Scheunert (59) has been organizing trips to Great Britain and Ireland for more than 30 years. His shop on Friesenstrasse (Kreuzberg) is in mourning. “We didn’t expect her death to be so quick. When it ticked I was really sad and a few tears shed. She was a great woman. She stands for straightforwardness, modesty, she is scandal-free, not corrupt, she has served her country. We decorated the window last night, last night someone put a candle down and a few neighbors put flowers. The sympathy is greater than I thought. I wish Charles well, but he’s no match for the Queen. Charles the Third is still a bit difficult to say” Photo: Christian Lohse
Whether on the Reichstag building, in front of the Red Town Hall or many embassies of other countries: Yesterday the flags were flying at half-mast everywhere. And for the day of the official funeral ceremonies and the funeral on September 19, the Senate Department has arranged for Berlin-wide mourning flags to be displayed.
Charlotte Kellner (28), spokeswoman from Prenzlauer Berg: “She was an extraordinary person. I mourn the passing of every woman at the top. Now we only have kings again, which is a shame. I wish King Charles that he will be accepted by the people and that he will do much of the good that the time needs today. He is following in very big footsteps” Photo: Christian Lohse
On Friday evening, the Brandenburg Gate was illuminated in the colors of the British flag in honor of the Queen. According to the Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (44, SPD), expressing sympathy and sadness in this way corresponds to the feelings of Berliners and Britons in the capital.
The Queen and the BZ
2015: During my last visit to Berlin, I went to the ambassador’s garden party
In 2015, the Queen crossed the Spree with the Federal President in this wooden boat
2004: In the glass S-Bahn on the way from Berlin to Potsdam
