Queen’s faith was source of comfort throughout her long life
THROUGHOUT her long years of service, the Queen’s faith was a constant source of comfort and the most sacred part of her life.
During her reign she would often use her time in Scotland to discuss spiritual matters with senior members of the Church of Scotland.
The Rev Dr Susan Brown took up the role of chaplain to the Queen in Scotland in 2012, playing her part in a tradition of Christian service to the monarch which has continued for nearly 600 years.
The role requires chaplains to take part in formal state occasions and conduct services at significant national events.
Dr Brown, who first met the Queen in 2002 when she was invited to preach for her at Balmoral, said: ‘I visited Balmoral three times in the role, for weekend visits, which were working visits so I attended alone without my husband.
‘I would lead prayers at dinner and Sunday lunch and take the service at Crathie Kirk. I would also just sit and talk to Her Majesty. Some of our private talks were quite personal discussions and other times we would talk about life and the universe.
‘She absolutely loved the Balmoral estate.
‘We would go for walks and various other visitors would come, such as family members.
‘She absolutely loved the company of young relatives and their friends and during dinners with young relatives there was a lovely family atmosphere. I would be seated next to the Duke of Edinburgh, who was absolutely hilarious with some strong opinions.’
Although the Queen had cause to be serious and formal as she carried out her duties, the Rev Neil Gardner found she also had a gentle manner that often shone through in her interactions with members of the church.
Mr Gardner, minister at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh, the kirk of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle, recalled that he once received a message from royal aides, stating: ‘The Queen would like to see Neil for a chat this afternoon, but only if he has time.’
The message was conveyed from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Canongate Kirk office during Royal Week last year.
Recounting the event, Mr Gardner said: ‘Yes, obviously, I did have time, and now find myself cherishing the memory of that chat more than ever. The gentle manner in which the royal summons was issued – “but only if he has time” – was rather typical of the genuinely unassuming attitude that was for some an unexpected hallmark of the Queen’s character.’
He added: ‘I can’t help thinking there was something rather Scottish about Her Majesty’s capacity not to take herself too seriously – even as she faultlessly fulfilled the most serious of roles – that can be traced not just to her Scottish ancestry but to the many happy times she spent in Scotland throughout the course of her very long life and reign.’
Similarly, the Rev Dr Angus Morrison, who has served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said he was ‘nervous’ the first time he met the Queen on a visit to Balmoral but was soon put at ease.
He said: ‘I suspect, like most visiting preachers, spending the weekend at Balmoral with the Queen for the first time, I was somewhat nervous in anticipation of our first meeting.
‘Escorted to the drawing room, I found the Queen sitting at a small table playing the game of patience. After friendly greetings, she resumed her seat, with me sitting close by. She continued to play as we engaged in conversation.’
Recalling the Queen as an ‘extraordinary person’ with a ‘genuine personal interest and humanity’, he added: ‘It struck me as a very kind means of helping the visitor to relax, having us both focus on the table and cards.’
The minister, a member of the Chapel Royal, led yesterday’s service at Crathie Kirk – where the Queen often worshipped – while parish minister the Rev Kenneth MacKenzie travelled to Edinburgh with the funeral cortege.
‘But only if he has time’