The sense of loss I feel is quite palpable. It is a strange feeling. To experience this sense of loss for someone I did not really know, who was remote in many ways, is unnerving. This is because throughout all of my lifetime she was my Queen, a figure who was part of my life. Every Christmas from childhood she has been part of the family as we gathered around the television as she addressed the nation. When COVID came her words were reassuring and incredibly moving. We mourned with her just last year when she appeared as that lonely figure, abiding by the same rules her subjects had to face even in sorrow. This dignified and dutiful lady was the embodiment of the British people , the living heart of our great Constitution, a rock in the desert of human change and fluctuating standards, an individual who was admired, not vilified, for her Christian faith in a growing secular world, a representative of a generation who had come through the horrors of World Wars, a diminutive lady in stature who had a courageous spirit and indomitable resolve as she zealously pursued her duty to the very end. In a world where trust is so easily broken, where promises are rashly made she fulfilled her vows made on her 21st birthday:

I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.

Therefore today I was privileged, the day after our Queen’s passing to share my thoughts with two groups of Primary School children.

Visiting over hundred countries, travelling millions of miles, meeting countless people, opening hospitals, greeting people who had experienced awful tragedies – the Queen inspired millions. As an eight year boy I vividly remember seeing the Royal Yacht Britannia, moored in the sea off Portrush as Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the University of Ulster during the silver anniversary year of her accession to the throne. Those were dangerous days for a British monarch to be in Northern Ireland; as always she did her duty.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2nd was the Head of our Armed Forces. She constantly maintained a special affection for the men and women who take a vow of allegiance to her and who were trained to go war for her people. She herself had served during the war years as a young princess. She was one of the last members of that noble generation who lived through what we cannot imagine and helped to rebuild our nation out of the ashes and ruins of a terrible war. Today we fret and moan about things which are less important than we think them to be; her generation carried on and made the best out of what they had.

While this unique lady was our Queen she was also a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother. Her devotion to family is personified in the rather unique and lasting relationship she enjoyed with her husband, Prince Philip, with whom she enjoyed 74 years of marriage. The strength and enduring nature of their relationship, which was a rock upon which she could build her monarchy, is a picture lesson to us all regarding the value of the precious gift of married love.

When Her Majesty was crowned, at the Coronation she took vows in the presence of God and before many witnesses that she would serve both Him and her peoples. Her Christmas addresses, many of which referred to Christ and His importance to her, were indicators of just how seriously she took her faith and those vows made in Westminster Abbey many years earlier. All commentators agree that her reign cannot be appraised without considering the value of her Christian faith.

We have now reached the dawn of a new era. We are grateful that God has permitted us to live through this period of history dominated by Queen Elizabeth 2nd. She will be long remembered.

Such a season, however, causes us to look forward. King Charles 3rd is now our monarch. We are called by God to pray for him, that he will have wisdom, grace and courage for the burden that he bears. We pray that the gracious influence of his mother will be his stay throughout the time that God allots him to serve. Most importantly we pray that the Scriptures will be the resource that he treasures and that he will trust Jesus Christ the Saviour for the saving of his soul.

These momentous days are life lessons; a few weeks ago we rejoiced at Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, now we mourn as she has been taken from us. In the midst of life we are in death. The shadows are constantly encroaching. Nevertheless we are comforted by the knowledge that while change and decay are all around there is one who constantly abides with us; who never will leave, who changes never. We pray that our people would look to Him at this time and find peace in the Prince of Peace Himself.