Accession memories

SIR – On February 6 1952, my primary school class had just started joining in with a popular radio programme for schools called Music and Movement, when it suddenly stopped and a voice said there was to be a statement from Buckingham Palace.

It was the announcement of the death of King George VI. As five-yearolds we were puzzled, but this historic event was soon explained to us. Naturally our favourite programme did not resume, being replaced by suitably solemn music.

My father, an officer in the RAF, then wore a black armband during court mourning, which was repeated a year later when Queen Mary, our new Queen’s grandmother, died.

C L Wallace

Shrivenham, Oxfordshire

SIR – On February 6 1952 I was attending a religious instruction lesson.

Our teacher passed on the message that the King had died. I felt I should ask whether the Queen Mother would become the Queen Grandmother.

The teacher found my question impertinent.

Roger Fowle

Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire

SIR – I do hope that the Queen appreciates the irony of everyone having a day off in order to celebrate her extraordinary hard work, commitment and service.

Mike Forlan

Hayling Island, Hampshire to read of Rishi Sunak’s plans for developing trade. The article quotes Mr Sunak as saying: “We need a mature and balanced relationship.”

The People’s Republic of China runs “resettlement” and “re-education” camps that are indistinguishable from concentration camps; it has asserted illegal authority over huge tracts of international waters; it threatens to invade the sovereign and independent country of Taiwan; it has destroyed democracy in Hong Kong; it supports the dreadful regime in Myanmar; and it continually infringes its own border with India. Its programme of theft of intellectual property, and of espionage, is breathtaking. And of course it has given the world Covid-19, the gift which keeps on giving, for which it has made no apology whatsoever.

This is an entity that should be handled with disinfected tongs, not cultivated so that conscienceless people can make money with it. Jolyon Grey Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire