It is with immense sadness that we mourn the loss of our much loved, longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen has been such a constant in our lives, and dedicated her life to public service. Whilst we all mourn her loss, my thoughts and prayers are with her immediate family. At 96, she unfortunately could not reign forever. I lost my grandmother, aged 98, in July, and know the shock and sadness for my mother, uncle, and family, despite knowing their great age, the grief is no less.
We all want to pay tribute at what is such a time of national grief, and I walked Henry to Buckingham Palace this morning to pay my own, personal respects. I will be in the Chamber from noon today as the period of National Mourning commences.
And whilst we are all saddened at this news, we will come to reflect on her service, fortitude and achievements. She has been the one great constant in all of our lives.
But for the first time in more than 70 years, we now welcome King Charles III. God Save the King.
