London, (Parliament Politics Magazine), My parent’s generation used to say they could remember where they were when President Kennedy died. Back in 1963, I was but a nine month old infant, but I shall always remember where I was when the BBC announced the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Of course, one would have to be in their mid-seventies to remember a time before the new Elizabethan age. For the vast majority of us, this sad event has changed the one continuity and certainty of our lives. As I turned on my e-book on that sad Thursday night, it moved along in the James Bond SPECTRE trilogy to the novel On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. It was only when I read the title, and realised that it had been current for 60 years, that the true enormity of what had happened sunk in.
In the last 70 years, we have seen the commercialisation of the television, the internet, mobile ‘phones. These are the obvious technological changes. But man has not been to the moon for 50 years. Supersonic commercial air travel came and went. Buildings I watched being constructed on old bomb sites have been demolished and replaced with brand new sky scrapers. All of this, all this extraordinary change from brilliant human endeavour to the mundane, has happened during the one constant of our lives – the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth.Even the United States of America is just a little older the equivalent of three of her periods on the throne.
Queen Elizabeth’s influence and steady hand has been extraordinary. I must have been a tiny child when I was first conscious of the fact that we had a Queen. But my first encounter was when my godmother persuaded me to make a birthday card for her. I still have the letter from one of her Ladies in Waiting thanking me for the effort I went to.
Because that is what she meant to so many people. She skilfully avoided being an aloof, distant symbol of a bygone era. She combined dignity with grace; humour with decorum; compassion with leadership. She was always in our minds, and trod a delicate path between upholding traditions and leading the country, whilst still being a familiar figure.
Every fine detail of our lives has included her in some little way. And, of course, her shine has lit up the world. The Commonwealth has been a triumph. The Olympics, the many jubilees, the millennium celebrations – all, and many more, have featured her gentle but much loved contribution.
But, of course, we move to a new era. I find uttering the words “Charles III” brings a lump to my throat as it truly signifies that we are moving to a new era. Of course, we knew our Queen would pass. Of course we knew Charles would take over. Indeed, we have seen the odd dress rehearsal. This year’s State Opening gave us a small glimpse of the future, a future that has now arrived.
We have not been short changed by the past. That vow, from a girl on her 21st birthday to always serve her country, whether her life be long or short, has given us the longest serving British monarch. We are all so very lucky to have been her subjects, and as Parliamentarians we are so lucky to have served our communities with her as our head of state.
I look forward to the future with sadness at our loss, but with optimism for our new monarch. I look forward, as a Member of Parliament, to serving King Charles with as much enthusiasm as I did Queen Elizabeth. Politicians, prime ministers, and ministers come and go. But our monarch is a constant thread that runs for years. King Charles has had a long apprenticeship but he has learnt from the very best. He has already earned our respect and loyalty.
Back in 1963, my parents were at a party when Kennedy died. They heard the news from the driver Graham Hill. For me, it was driving along the M4 on my way back to Wyre Forest, with the, frankly, outstanding BBC sharing the tragic news. But I pulled over to shed a tear.