The death of Queen Elizabeth caught the world off guard.
Although she was 96 years old at the time of her death, it seems as if she was always here - in her impressive appearance, her secret sweet smile and her familiar opinion.
The queen was known as a state figure who adhered to the known traditions, but at the same time as breaking conventions and being decisive.
Although many did not know her personally, the atmosphere on the streets of the kingdom is that large sections of the public now feel abandoned, almost orphaned.
Many Israelis sympathized with the feeling of grief that descended on Britain and many found different ways to express their grief.
But what about the Queen of Great Britain and Israel?
The same queen who only met Israel's jubilee year in 1997 for the first time with a sitting Israeli president - Ezer Weizmann.
It was an emotional visit, during which the president proudly told her that he had the privilege of protecting the kingdom as a pilot in the Royal Air Force under the leadership of her father, King George VI.
The admiring looks of the Queen Mother (who, in an unprecedented way, came to the state dinner) and the Queen are still burned in my eyes.
Who knows what other exciting meetings the queen missed in almost four decades without state visits by Israeli presidents.
King Charles III was officially announced as the ruler of the kingdom: "I will dedicate the rest of my life to the position" // Photo: Reuters
It was precisely the issue of conscription for women, which was brought up in our conversation when I presented the Queen with my letter of credence as Israel's ambassador to the Court of Saint James, that aroused great interest in her.
She told me how during the Cold War, the decision to impose a conscription law captured and united the people of the kingdom.
Even when she met Bnei Tomer with Philip at the traditional tea party, she was then interested in his military service.
Now the heir to the throne - King Charles III - must take the reins.
After the tears and bouquets have dried, Charles will have to deal with the ongoing criticism of the continued existence of the royal house.
It seems that the mythic figure of the queen helped dampen the criticism or at least postpone it until the next chapter.
But since it has arrived, it will have to justify its existence and explain to the entire United Kingdom - with deeds and not just words - why even today, in 2022, when all of Europe is facing a worsening economic crisis, there is a need for a royal house and what its role is.
Will the new king succeed in preserving the status of the royal house by dealing with burning social issues or by harnessing the power of the royal house in settling international conflicts?
time will tell.
Proshaur and Elizabeth, in 2008, photo: I.P
With her passing, King Charles inherited not only the crown, but also the enormous dimensions of her character - as someone who united around her the kingdom (Scotland and Wales), the Commonwealth (including Australia and Canada) and her own family.
There are many expectations from him and among them he faces a new world, which is clearly represented by Prince William and his wife Kate.
This new world will have to pour its own content.
He could start with a state visit to Israel.
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