Make Elizabeth Day a salute to greatness

TOMORROW the nation and much of the world will pause to watch the funeral of a beloved Queen whose presence we will miss for the rest of our lives.

Queen Elizabeth II’S funeral will be a sombre yet spellbinding spectacle; a moment of majesty and reflection to be witnessed by half of the Earth’s population.

Tears will be shed but many will feel gratitude for how she led our country for 70 years with grace, strength and wisdom.

The sight of Her Majesty’s eight grandchildren keeping silent vigil together beside her coffin was a poignant symbol of the country’s united admiration for a woman who embodied our finest values.

In the days since his mother’s death, King Charles III has visited the four nations of the UK and been greeted by ordinary people who are confident he will continue the Queen’s tradition of servant leadership.

Wealthy and poor, young and the old, have all queued together by the tens of thousands to witness the lying-in-state.

Many more will line the 24-mile route from Westminster towindsor tomorrow as the late, beloved monarch makes her final journey to her last resting place.

The skies will fall silent as Heathrow cancels 100 flights to help observe the silence of the solemn occasion.

Even combative MPS have called a truce to hostilities which Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle hopes will lead to a kinder and more respectful politics.

It is little surprise that so many people wish to harness this new-found spirit of unity to continue the good work of the Queen’s glorious reign.

That is why the Sunday Express is happy to support moves to create a dedicated national day to remember her and spread the message of kindness, tolerance and integrity which defined her life.

MPS are seeking to build a cross-party support for a special day, or perhaps an existing Bank Holiday, to be dedicated as an official “Elizabeth Day”.and we hope our army of readers will support that campaign.