“It was with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of our highly esteemed and dearly beloved Queen late on Thursday afternoon.
The occasion of the passing of Her late Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II is a
moment for both our nation and our communities to pause in grateful
remembrance of her service, duty and sacrifice. This historic, and for
many deeply personal, moment marks the end of an era for the United
Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the wider world.
Today as we look back on seventy glorious years our hearts are heavy yet thankful. Her late Majesty’s service and dedication marked her out for the wonderful example she has been to our four nations of the United Kingdom.
While she was our Head of State somehow, in a peculiar way, we all
felt we knew her. Truly as we end this Elizabethan era our nation will
never be the same without her. As others have said our sorrow is so
deep in part because we have been blessed to live through her reign not
having known anyone else as our Sovereign.
I had the privilege and honour of meeting Her late Majesty The Queen
on several occasions and she was indeed a remarkable Lady and servant in
every respect. I have vague memories of the celebrations marking her
coronation all those years ago.
At this time of sadness my sincere sympathy and prayers goes to the
Royal Family. In the midst of national mourning stands a family
grieving the loss of a mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Our new King will need the prayers of the nation as he takes on the onerous duties in the days ahead. He can take much comfort from the example set by his mother and our late Majesty as he begins his reign as His Majesty King Charles III.
For the first time since 1952 we shout in heartfelt manner God Save The King.”