Steadfast duty

MOTHER and I were outside Buckingham Palace on Coronation night in the rain, cheering, when to my excitement, the Queen, Prince Philip and the children came onto the balcony.

So I could see over the crowd, Mother had bought me a cardboard periscope, which I still have.

Through all the good and stormy times that have passed since then, the Queen was always a warm, stabilising example to us all. Steadfast

duty and now a rest well deserved. Thank you, Ma’am.

MIKE MAIN, South Hykeham, Lincs. AS A seven-year-old in 1953, I was one of the schoolchildren who were given a copy of the children’s gift edition of Richard Dimbleby’s book Elizabeth Our Queen by the local council.

I hope today’s youngsters will be given something similar to mark the accession of King Charles III.

GEOFF TURNER, Harrogate, N. Yorks.