Hi, F.T. Weekend listeners, this is Lila. On Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II died. She was 96 years old,

and she ruled Britain longer than any other monarch in its history, for 70 years. Over the last

seven decades, the queen has been a symbol of stability and resilience.

She was a monarch and a matriarch.

This weekend, millions are mourning her death and remembering her life.

Outside of the Commonwealth, we're used to leaders coming and going.

But the crown is different.

If you're British, the queen has likely

been there your entire life. She swore in all the prime ministers you remember, 15 of them.

And she was everywhere, on the money, on TV, on the mug in your grandmother's cupboard.

However you may feel about the crown as an institution, the queen was always there.

We knew the queen was unwell on Thursday and likely to pass away imminently.

So I asked the editor of FT Weekend, Alec Russell, to join me to reflect on her legacy.

I remember meeting her.

Oh, you met her.

I met her.

The first time I met her was it was actually to ret-

Alec had put his phone on silent as we were talking.

And midway through our conversation, the official announcement came.

Alec, I have to tell you that the announcement just dropped that the queen has, in fact, died.

Oh, my.

Oh, my.

...