Reflecting on a cherished memory, He Ting Ru shares her encounter with Queen Elizabeth at Ang Mo Kio Town Centre.
With the world remembering Queen Elizabeth’s legacy, Workers’ Party Member of Parliament He Ting Ru recalls a special moment from her childhood when she met the Queen during her 1989 visit to Singapore. It was the Queen’s second trip to the country, following her initial visit in 1972, with her final visit occurring in 2006.
At just six years old, He Ting Ru had just returned from school when her mother informed her and her sister of a unique opportunity: “We were going to see the Queen.” The Queen’s visit included stops at Ang Mo Kio, Tanjong Pagar, and the Kranji War Memorial, and the young girls were able to approach Her Majesty at Ang Mo Kio Town Centre amidst a crowd of curious Singaporeans.
“We brought flowers to give her, and as we approached, I remembered seeing a picture in a book where a king and queen were properly greeted,” shared He. “I handed her the flowers and awkwardly dipped a curtsy. The Queen was gracious and warm, leaving us with a lasting impression that girls, too, could be leaders and guests of honor.”
Reflecting on the Queen’s life, He Ting Ru expressed her sadness at the passing of a monarch who reigned for seventy years. “She lived a life of tireless service with dignity and grace, dedicated to her people and the institutions she held dear,” the Sengkang GRC MP added. In her Facebook post, He also acknowledged Queen Elizabeth as a constant presence amid a changing world, embodying resilience and dedication.
