Last week was a historic and significant week in so many ways, some of which I may write more about in the coming weeks.
But there is of course only one subject to write about this
week - the sad death of our Queen Elizabeth II.
Much has been said about the length of Queen Elizabeth II’s
reign and how she was a reassuring constant for our country and the
Commonwealth throughout her seventy years on the throne. Parliament sat over
the weekend to allow MPs to give tribute, where we spoke about her sense of
duty, her wisdom, her kindness, her sense of humour and about how she touched
the lives of hundreds of thousands of constituents during her lifetime of
devoted service to her country. As well as showing all of these qualities, the Queen
was also seen around the world as a talented and diplomatic Head of State,
navigating the waters of international diplomacy with great tact and skill over
the years, which were reflected in the tributes paid by rulers from around the
globe. But above all of these things, Elizabeth II was a mother, grandmother
and great grandmother, and we must also all pass on our sympathies to the Royal
Family for their loss, at this most difficult of times.
Personally, I was incredibly honoured to see the Queen on several
occasions, both at Buckingham Palace during a Garden Party, and at the State
Opening of Parliament, both formal occasions in Royal Palaces. However the
meeting I will remember the most, was the time the Queen came to Cornwall, for
what turned out to be her last visit to the Duchy. This was on the occasion of
the G7 Leaders Summit, and the Queen joined the heads of state from the G7
countries at an event at the Eden Project. In order to get there, she came down
on the Royal Train and alighted at St Austell station, where I was honoured to
be in the civic line up to meet her. This was, in my memory, the only time that
as well as the Queen visiting, we also had the then Duke and Duchess of
Cornwall, Charles and Camilla, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William
and Katherine. Three generations of the Royal Family in St Austell at the same
time. It was very clear at her visit, that this lady, while diminutive in
stature and in her mid-nineties, was very much a commanding presence, who lit
up the whole room and commanded our absolute respect. It is not protocol to
share conversations you have with the Queen, but I will treasure them always.
We have seen further historic events this week. Over the
weekend I was present at the reading of the Proclamation of Accession to the
throne of our new King, Charles III, on the steps of Truro Cathedral by the
High Sheriff of Cornwall. This is part of an ancient tradition, that predates
the availability of mass media, so the first the general public would know of
having a new monarch was when the proclamation was read out.
Then on Monday, the King and Queen Consort visited
Parliament and we welcomed them to Westminster Hall, where he addressed both
the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The King promised to uphold the
constitution and thanked the Houses for their tributes to the Queen.
I wish King Charles III a long and prosperous reign, as well
and also look forward to seeing the new Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, William
and Katherine, in their new roles. Long Live the King!
