London, (Parliament Politics Magazine)- At the start of MPs’ first week back from summer recess on 5 September, The Conservative Party had just elected a new leader who Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II would appoint as her fifteenth Prime Minister the following day.
There were comments on how frail Her Majesty looked, but also on her customary smile and warmth of her presence.
Wednesday that week, was probably about the most ‘normal’ day of the week – despite being the event of Liz Truss’s first Prime Minister’s Question Time.
Thursday 8 September started with the much-anticipated announcement from the new Prime Minister of an ‘Emergency Price Guarantee’, which should have been the main news of the week.
During a debate on the subject, we heard the worrying news that The Queen’s doctors were, ‘concerned for Her Majesty’s health.’
Then, at 6:30pm, Buckingham Palace released a statement saying simply, ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.’
The first half-mast flag I saw was atop The Foreign Office, then The Treasury Building, Victoria Tower, Westminster Abbey – and that is when I first felt the full emotional weight of the Queen’s demise.
Later that evening, I joined thousands of others at the gates of Buckingham Palace – almost completely oblivious to the pouring rain.
On 10 September, in a rare Saturday-sitting day, I was grateful for the opportunity to speak in The House of Commons in tribute to The Queen.
I did so on behalf of the people of Banff and Buchan, and offered my condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family, who have lost a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother.
For most of us, Her Majesty has ALWAYS been there – a constant and reassuring presence.
From the ashes of World War II to the Covid-19 Pandemic in more recent years, she has provided inspiration and comfort to people right across our United Kingdom.
The Queen was the longest serving monarch in British history, celebrating – as we all did as a country – her 70-year Platinum Jubilee in June this year.
I never met Her Majesty.
But growing up in, and having the honour of representing in Parliament, one of three constituencies in Aberdeenshire, I know a fair few people who have had the privilege to meet and know the Queen.
And, when I heard Parliamentary colleagues telling of their direct interactions with The Queen, whether in formal or social occasions, I recognised something of the warmth, kindness and humour, which I have heard so many times from those who knew her.
As a Member of Parliament, the closest I got to The Queen would be in the Peer’s Lobby during the State Opening of Parliament.
But in 2014, Her Majesty visited the Turriff Agricultural Show in my home town, and I was able to get within just a few feet.
Or rather, I found myself in the adoring crowd through which Her Majesty moved through, engaging with everyone as she did, with that famous smile with which we have all become so familiar.
Everyone she met that day were impressed by her interest and expert knowledge of the livestock and animals on display – horses of course being a particular passion of Her Majesty.
The people of Turriff will long remember Her Majesty’s visit that day – as will the people of Fraserburgh from when she visited there in 1992 on the 400th anniversary of that town, and when she visited Macduff and Banff in 1961, on a launch from The Royal Yacht Britannia.
In Scotland we saw the Queen at her most relaxed and happy, particularly on her regular visits to her much-loved Balmoral.
I hope it has been a comfort to her and her family, that she spent her last days in the place she loved so much.
The United Kingdom, The Commonwealth and the whole world have come together in recent days to mourn the passing of a great – perhaps the greatest – world leader
As we mourn the passing of her long life and reign of loyal service, we will also remember and celebrate those unique qualities which made her such a well-loved and highly respected monarch all over the world.
May Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second rest in peace.
God Save The King
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David Duguid MP. Conservative Member of Parliament for Banff and Buchan in North East Scotland since being elected in 2017, following a 25 year career in the International Energy Industry.
Government roles: Government Whip, Scotland Office Minister, Trade Envoy for Angola and Zambia, Fisheries Industry Envoy.