Outpouring of love and respect for the Queen has been constant
The Derbyshire Dales MP says representing the constituency in paying respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been an honour
SINCE the death of the Queen, I have heard time and time again how she has been a constant in our lives and that we cannot believe she has gone.
Very few of us remember a time before the Queen acceded to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25, but on Wednesday I had the absolute honour to talk to some of our Ashbourne residents that do remember.
I was so pleased to join Ashbourne Town Mayor Cllr Martin Spencer and his wife and consort Sandra Spencer on their visit to Dove House Residential Home in Ashbourne to enable the residents to sign the Book of Condolence for the late Queen.
We had the chance to reflect and hear some wonderful reminiscences.
It is lovely to be able to meet and speak to our senior generations once again after the pandemic, including a resident who is over 100 years of age.
The outpouring of love and respect for the Queen has been constant, alongside the well wishes to our King.
It is easy almost to forget that our King is grieving the loss of his mother, a deeply personal event that many of us can unfortunately empathise with.
I was so pleased to have been present for the addresses from the House of Commons and the House of Lords to His Majesty King Charles III.
It was an honour to represent all of the people of Derbyshire
Dales at the Presentation of Addresses by both Houses of Parliament to His Majesty King Charles III at Westminster Hall.
As the King himself articulated, we could all feel the weight of such an historic occasion. His address to both Houses was heartfelt and very moving, and I truly feel so proud to have been part of the occasion, even in a small way.
The events in Derbyshire, including the Proclamation event and church services that have taken place across our area since the news, have been incredibly well attended.
The flowers placed across the constituency and the thoughtful messages in the various books of condolence have been beautiful. I was able to attend the civic service at Derby Cathedral on behalf of Derbyshire Dales residents, and it was a beautiful service and a fitting tribute.
I was also honoured to attend Her Majesty
The Queen’s Lying-in-state in Westminster ahead of her funeral, and I paid my respects to her on behalf of all residents in Derbyshire Dales.
The crowds of people waiting to pay their respects truly took my breath away. I have never seen so many people, and the fact that they were all there to pay their respects is testament to the Queen and a life well lived.
I watched the funeral, as so many of you will have done, with my family. I was so moved to realise that the Queen, a constant for so many of us, has gone.
I know you will all join me in publicly thanking Her Majesty once again for her years of service to our country and sending our best wishes to His Majesty King Charles III.
God save the King.