The death of Queen Elizabeth resonates with us especially in the Westhoek

A number of people from West Flanders who have met the queen are also full of praise. Former mayor of Ypres Luc Dehaene has received Queen Elizabeth twice, in 1998 and in 2007. These are encounters that will stay with me. “That lady makes a charming friendly impression. Very spry, alert and as soon as possible, with a typical British quirk in between. That was really pleasant.”

Mayor of Messines Sandy Evrard met the queen in 1998 at the inauguration of the Peace Tower where she also met the Irish president. “That was the first time those two met. I thought that was brave, despite all the vicissitudes. I want to emphasize that that happened in Messines.”