London (Parliament Politics Magazine)- I will never forget the enormous privilege of having afternoon tea with Her Majesty.

I was a junior Minister and this brought the awesome responsibility of being part of a schedule in which one was given responsibility for ‘being the Queen’ on occasions when she could not be present. One did not serve as a representative but served as Her Majesty and treated accordingly.

This phenomenal responsibility was preceded by an invitation to tea with the Queen. I will never forget her inspirational graciousness, kindness and warmth.

These are characteristics widely appreciated in countless tributes and they testify to her personality which has generated such justified and profound admiration, appreciation and affection.

I also take this opportunity to wish the new King very blessing and to convey my deep appreciation of his commitment to humanitarian aid for people in need and those with disabilities.

ENDS

 Baroness Cox is a nurse and a social scientist by intention. She profoundly appreciated the privilege of speaking in the House of Lords and decided it would be an ideal place to be a voice for people whose voices are not heard. Outside of the Lords, she established the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust to provide aid and advocacy for victims of oppression and persecution not reached by major organisations for political or security reasons.