MOUNT DORA, Fla. – A British royal-inspired restaurant is flooded with customers the day after the queen of England passed away to pay their respects and to reflect on the life she lived.
The Windsor Rose Restaurant in Mount Dora is back open after closing its doors Thursday, moments after Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at the age of 96.
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As crowds surged into the restaurant Friday, Tracy Anthony, a British-American, tells News 6 she is glad to be back at work.
Many customers looked to pay their respects at a memorial for the queen, sharing the same grief Anthony feels.
“It’s like you lost a little bit of your heart, you know, because she was family,” said Tracy Anthony. “She was pretty much my granny-figure for all of my life.”
Funeral details have not yet been announced. It is known there will be a public viewing in Scotland before the queen’s body is brought to London.
The owner of The Windsor Rose, Marsha Goodale, says now the question is what King Charles III will be like.
“I will be looking forward to what Charles will do and if Charles does anything for the people, that would be noteworthy,” said Goodale.
The king addressed the world Friday, saying he does plan to follow in his mother’s footsteps.
“As the queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me,” Charles said.
While the coronation of the king is not expected for several months, the Windsor Rose says they’ll be monitoring how the United Kingdom responds to the transition.
“It’s a traditional, historical thing that has now come to an end and now it’s time for a new beginning, but whether or not that will come about, or whether it collapse — who knows,” Goodale said.
Going forward, the Windsor Rose will be re-arranging their decorations to accommodate the new king.
The memorial for Queen Elizabeth II will remain up as long as needed.