The death of Her Majesty the Queen is a moment of great sorrow for our country and tributes have poured in from around the world. She was the longest reigning sovereign in our history, giving over seventy years of devoted service. At the age of twenty-one, she made a solemn vow to dedicate her life to the service of her country whether it be short or long, and she certainly fulfilled that pledge during her long life.
All proceedings in Parliament have been put on hold and politics suspended during a period of mourning. Last week after the news was confirmed, there were two days of debate in Parliament. I attended the debate and there were many great tributes from both sides of the House, especially from former Prime Ministers like Theresa May and Boris Johnson who had weekly audiences with her. What they all recalled was that she had a great way of putting people at ease. Parliament also held a service on Sunday evening, and I was also privileged to be asked to be one of the MPs to be present for the short service when Her Majesty's coffin arrived at Westminster Hall to begin the Lying in State on Wednesday.
The Queen was a constant presence in the life of the nation even as so much else changed. During her reign, she saw enormous economic and social change in the post-war decades and the new century. During that time the British Empire was dismantled and the Commonwealth of which she was head was formed; there were the troubles in Northern Ireland and fierce arguments over economic policy. She saw the UK join the European Community and then later leave the European Union and she saw fifteen Prime Ministers come and go. The reason so many people feel such a great sense of loss this week is that she was an anchor of stability throughout everything.
Our constitution is designed so that the Monarchy can provide consistency, stability, and predictability through the generations. Whatever one's politics, we can unite behind the Sovereign and King Charles III will make an excellent King. The King's first address to the nation was thoughtful and dignified and captured the mood perfectly. A number of other things happened as a consequence of the Queen's passing. Cornwall has always had a special relationship with the Crown. It was the first Dukedom ever created and there is a rule of the Royal Constitution that the title of the Duke of Cornwall should pass to the eldest son of the Monarch. The moment that Charles became King, Prince William automatically became the new Duke of Cornwall, and we warmly welcome him and the new Duchess of Cornwall to the Duchy.
