For the 70 years of her reign, the Queen held a special place in the hearts of “Friend” readers — and at the heart of the magazine itself, too.
Throughout all that time we have carried regular features on her life, family and interests. We’ve published fiction inspired by her; letters and poems from readers who were lucky enough to meet her, or who just wished to express their affection and admiration.
During our long history, “The People’s Friend” covered her ascension to the throne and the following Coronation. And every Jubilee after.
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Readers have shared their treasured memories and photographs of what the Queen meant to them. And we have felt privileged to read them.
She has been a constant in all our lives for as long as we can remember. So it is difficult for us to imagine a world without her in it.
Just a few short months ago, the “Friend” team were hard at work producing our special commemorative Platinum Jubilee issue.
It was a time of great celebration throughout the UK, and we were proud to be part of it.
We had no idea then that, so soon after, we would be facing a much sadder task.
When the news broke on Thursday that the Queen had passed away, we had no time to think too deeply about what had happened.
With our press deadline less than 24 hours away, we raced the clock to rework the issue we had planned into a tribute to our beloved monarch.
Not just because it was what she deserved, but because we knew it was what our readers expected. We couldn’t let them down.
We were also hard at work helping to get the DC Thomson souvenir magazine to press for readers to have as quickly as possible.
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It was only afterwards, on Sunday, that the enormity of what had happened hit home. Watching the cortege carrying the Queen’s coffin wend its way along the east coast of Scotland was a moving experience.
It felt fitting that, as the procession entered Dundee, it drove past the Kingsway offices of D.C. Thomson, where the “Friend” was based for many of its 153 years.
One last respectful farewell from the “Friend” to Her Majesty — and another precious memory to add to our continuing story.
Read some of your tributes to the Queen from the Diamond Jubilee.
Angela Gilchrist I am the former Editor-in-Chief of “The People’s Friend” magazine. My passions include cats, Highland ponies, good books, vegetarian food and long walks in the Scottish countryside. My favourite place to get away from it all is the magical Isle of Skye.
