REDMOND, Wash. — Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign is leaving a lasting impact on the globe and on women in Seattle.
Her passing is felt deeply among locals and expatriates who have found a home in western Washington
“I grew up kind of with the queen. My mom's name is Elizabeth and she's the same age as the Queen,” said Mary Greengo, owner of Queen Mary’s Tea Room.
Growing up, Mary Greengo and her mother would have a cup of tea every day. That plus Queen Elizabeth inspired her to open Queen Mary’s Tea Room in 1988.
“She's always been a big part of my life. Even growing up there was always a picture of the Queen in our hallway and we always talked about the royal family like it was a part of us,” said Greengo.
Greengo was shocked to hear of the Queen's passing. You can find an Ode to Britain’s longest-serving monarch throughout the tea room.
“She's a wonderful person to look up to. She's been there for 70 years through thick and thin and done it with a lot of poise and dignity and which I think we can all learn from,” said Greengo
Caitlin Angeloff is a regular at Queen Mary's and came in to have a cup of tea in Queen Elizabeth’s memory.
“Gut-wrenching. She's been the queen for 70 years and met more leaders and touched more people's lives than any female leader I've ever seen,” said Angeloff.
The Queen's calm and steady demeanor endeared her to millions after assuming the throne in 1952 at the age of 25. In the Monarch's seven-decade reign, she worked with 15 prime ministers, the latest taking office just this week, and met every U.S. president except Lyndon Johnson.
Queen Elizabeth, was a mother, monarch, and inspiration for future female leaders.
“An amazing leader who demonstrated grace, dignity and leadership that I think sometimes in today's modern world we're lacking,” Angeloff.
Following the death of his mother, Charles has now ascended to the throne, and the British public now has a new king and a new national anthem.
“It’s an adjustment just like any transition of power, but it will be odd to say God save the King instead of God save the Queen,” said Angeloff.
The British Pantry Ltd. was busier than usual on Thursday after news of the queen's passing. The family-owned and operated business offers British nostalgia, authentic foods and goods imported from England.
“A lot of expats come here for items they just can’t get anywhere else and today it seems many just want a place to be surrounded by other people honoring the Queen,” said founder Mavis Redman.
Redman and her husband Fred moved to America from England and brought the baking expertise Mavis Redman learned in her family's bakery in Swinton, near Manchester England.
Their children Alvia and Neville have been working at the British Pantry since it opened and said they have many ex-pats who frequent for comfort items they left when they migrated to America. Alvia said they are unusually low on merchandise featuring the Queen because they nearly sold out of everything during the Platinum Jubilee Celebration in February.
The Queen visited Seattle in 1983 and Mavis Redman said she even made a cake for her.
The walls of The British Pantry are covered with photos of the royal family and traditions like high tea with finger sandwiches are popular with Brits and locals alike.
Ian King said he moved to Redmond from England in 1983 and says British Pantry has been a “life saver” for all of the items he grew up enjoying but can’t find anywhere else. He knew Thursday's afternoon tea would be held with a heavy heart.
“It’s the end of an era. I’m still processing it, to be honest," King said. "Today is a sad day, the coronation of Charles will be happy.”
The mixed emotions are scattered around the property that now houses the restaurant, bakery, gift store and Three Lions Pub.
Mavis Redman said she woke to messages from friends reaching out to console her.
“I got text messages from people saying they are ‘so sorry you lost your Queen.’ That’s how I still think of her. As my Queen, because she was that but also an amazing woman who we should celebrate,” Mavis said.