By Cllr Clive Jones
When King Charles III said, “Thank you”, to his late mother in his televised address to the nation last week, he wasn’t just speaking for himself and his family but also for the nation, the commonwealth and indeed the whole world when he thanked her for her lifetime of service.
As a 21-year-old, she dedicated her life to one of service to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, a promise that she wonderfully kept.
This is an example to so many people and a huge example to anyone in or aspiring to public service.
The world is a much different place in 2022 than it was when she ascended the throne in 1952.
We have seen jet travel introduced, space flight and man walking on the moon, a greater concern for the climate and our environment and many improvements in the way we live our lives.
During this time, she presided over the modernisation of the monarchy continually updating it and bringing the institution into the modern era.
Everyone will have special memories of her reign.
Many will remember her opening the Olympic Games in 2012 with James Bond and the celebrations of her 70 years on the throne and her cup of tea with Paddington Bear.
Even at 96 she was a thoroughly modern sovereign.
I was privileged to meet her during the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977.
She did a walk about after the service of thanksgiving in St Pauls Cathedral in London and I was the first person she spoke to when she met the crowds.
I had stood outside the Cathedral all night with some friends, we had a very good place to watch as dignitaries arrived to attend the service. I am sure many other residents of Wokingham will also have treasured memories of meeting her Majesty which they will be recalling at this sad time
The thoughts of all generations throughout the UK and Commonwealth and around the world are very much with her family as we remember a much-loved Queen. We are all immensely saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth.
Over the next few days hundreds of thousands of people will want to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth by attending the lying-in state at Westminster or going to Windsor Castle and millions will watch her funeral on television, It is important for us all to remember at this sad time what a great monarch she was.
We should also be saying “Thank You ” to King Charles III who has started his reign building on the tradition of modernisation of the monarchy which was started by his mother.
Many of us will have been impressed that he has been able to go amongst crowds particularly in London and share his grief with people who have been to Buckingham Palace and elsewhere to express their condolences.
Cllr Clive Jones is the leader of Wokingham Borough Council and Lib Dem member for Hawkedon ward
