It is Britain’s good fortune to have a monarch so dedicated to service
sir – I am a Royalist and believe we are fortunate to live in a stable country, with its many privileges and freedoms, and a hereditary monarch as head of state, governing constitutionally with an elected Parliament. We were exceptionally fortunate in our late monarch, Elizabeth II, and I believe her son will follow her example and prove to be a fine King.
I have had the privilege of meeting the King through my charitable work, particularly in connection with the Prince’s Trust, which has helped more than one million young people. He is a remarkable man, and no one else (to my knowledge) has had to serve a 70-year apprenticeship.
The late Queen believed, as does her son, that her role is a sacred, life-long duty that can only be carried out with divine strength. As well as taking an oath to defend the established Church of England, King Charles has said that he will work to use his position to facilitate the unity of all people of faith, so that religious tension and strife in this country can be overcome.
I hope that all your readers enjoy the celebrations this coming weekend.
C Richard Jackson
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
sir – My wife’s grandson is three and a half. Like many children of his age, he has a vivid imagination, but he is also adept at entertaining adults with his insights as to what might be good for little children.
This week he’s been learning all about King Charles and the Coronation. Coronation Day also happens to be his sister’s second birthday, and he went to nursery on Tuesday with his home-made crown.
What was really endearing was that he had a message for his nursery friends. He had learnt that the King had decided that all good children would get a special present. That reminded me of Laurie Lee and his first day at school in Cider with Rosie.
Now there’s a challenge for the King and Queen if ever I heard one.
Lord Blunkett (Lab) London SW1 sir – I was born in Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, London, on May 8 1937, and still have a shawl made of red, white and blue knitted squares, a white dress with red, white and blue smocking, and a small pewter mug commemorating the Coronation of George VI, with which my mother and I were presented.
I weighed 4lbs 8oz at birth and was put in a cot in the hearth. I am fortunate to have lived a fit and healthy life so far.
Mary Elisabeth Hoare Langport, Somerset sir – The simple solution to the unpalatable Coronation quiche (Letters, May 4) is to douse it heavily with that most British of condiments – Worcestershire sauce.
William Lyons
Lincoln
sir – There was a book, Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche, by Bruce Feirstein. Priscilla Clarke
Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire