A tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
General NewsA statement from our chairman, Mark Tennant, on Tuesday 20 September 2022:
Yesterday we mourned the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, arguably one of the most outstanding individuals in history.
Over the last ten days there have been thousands of beautifully written and spoken tributes to Her Majesty and there is little I can add, save to repeat the vow she gave in 1947: “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong”. For anyone that was a daunting vow but most especially so when you are only 21. Yet she delivered on that vow more deeply, more totally and, above all, more selflessly than any human being could have done. Hers was a life of unfailing duty to us, her people. Duty is a word which carries little weight these days. Let us hope that Her example brings it back to be one of our great virtues.
Losing Her Majesty is a desperately sad event for all of us, but the great advantage of the British Constitution is that the monarchy is a pillar of permanence. Accession is as seamless now as it was when King George VI died. We now have a new king who comes to the throne with enormous experience in constitutional and world affairs and one who will have a clear view of how the Monarchy should thrive in His reign. But, from my own experience, He is also one of the most generous-hearted, kind, and amusing people anyone could ever wish to meet. Furthermore, He will take over the reins of monarchy with the same devotion as His great Mother.
The Queen is Dead. Long Live The King!