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Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen writes to schoolgirl who was troubled by murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby

<![CDATA[Her Majesty The Queen
This week, a young girl with compassion for a stranger’s tragedy received a priceless response to her efforts from Her Majesty The Queen.
In May of 2013, Fusilier Lee Rigby was brutally murdered after being chased down by two men in a car and was then stabbed and beaten to death. Immediately following the crime, the men responsible proclaimed that the act was meant to avenge Muslims that have been killed by British military. The assault occurred in close proximity to the Royal Artillery Barracks in the Woolwich borough of southeast London. The sentencing of the convicted murderers, Michael Adebolago and Michael Adebowale, took place on 26th February this year, where they received life imprisonment.
Millie Garland, an 11-year-old pupil at Haydon Wick School in Swindon, viewed the announcement of the sentencing with sympathy for the suffering of Lee Rigby and his family. According to her mother Lucy, Millie was “upset that anything like that could happen in this country.” Millie also stated that she was “angry about how long it was taking to get something done.”
The schoolgirl then attempted to make a difference herself by writing a letter to The Queen, requesting a National Day of Mourning for the British soldier.
Much to the surprise of Millie and her family, a reply to her letter arrived in the post from Buckingham Palace.
In the official letter, Her Majesty thanked Millie for contacting her about these concerns and wrote that she would discuss them with Prime Minister David Cameron. The Prime Minister is said to have the ability to declare a national day of mourning.
As well as revealing the letter to the media, Millie was also excited to take the letter to school and share her excitement with her friends.
photo credit: Ndecam via photopin cc]]>