I wonder if you watched the state funeral of our beloved Queen Elizabeth II today. Just a few students joined me at the Medway Campus, yet globally, those were expected to watch, was set to exceed 4 billion.
For the passed ten days tributes have poured in from around the country and around the globe, in honour and respect of our longest serving monarch. For many of us, the only monarch we have known.
US president, Joe Biden, said: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era.”
“Her Majesty served the British people with exceptional dignity,” said Ireland's president, Michael Higgins, “Her personal commitment to her role and extraordinary sense of duty were the hallmarks of her period as Queen, which will hold a unique place in British history.”
Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, called the Queen “a constant presence in our lives” and said he would always “remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion, and warmth”. President Macron of France described Queen Elizabeth II as "a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century."
We must not forget, however, that as we honour and celebrate the life of a true servant of our nation, there is a family who mourn the loss of a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. They have not been able to mourn in silence and solitude but rather, in the spotlight of the public eye. Let us pray for them as they grieve, and let us prayer for King Charles III as he steps into a monarch's shoes.
For me personally, the Queen's passing is a great loss to our nation. She is a woman for whom I have long had the deepest respect. She has served our nation faithfully and graciously, she had the most beautiful of smiles that never, ever appeared forced. More than that, she was a faithful follower and servant of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In 2000, she said, “For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.”
She described Jesus as "an inspiration and an anchor" in her life. Going on to say Jesus was, "A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ's example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none."
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