Emma Pritchard, Clarence Valley Independent
Members of the Clarence River Historical Society were saddened to hear of the passing of Britain’s longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II last week.
President Steve Tranter said Her Majesty was a friend of Australia who was widely loved, respected and admired by many people.
The Clarence Valley also has a proud connection to the royal family.
The late Ann Fortune FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton, served as Her Majesty’s Mistress of the Robes, and was one of the Queen’s senior ladies-in-waiting.
A patron of the Clarence River Historical Society, the Duchess visited the region on many occasions.
Several items of royal memorabilia, including mementos to mark the Queen’s coronation in 1953, are proudly displayed as part of the historical collection at Schaeffer House Museum, which is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, between 1-4pm.
Following her passing, the Australian flag outside Schaeffer House was lowered to half-mast in honour of the Queen.
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 14 September 2022.
