Death of the Queen will be a massive moment for Britain, says Marr

THE DEATH of the Queen will affect the country deeply in ways many people will not realise, according to broadcaster Andrew Marr.

The veteran political journalist said her death will be an “absolutely massive, massive moment” as she has been part of British life for more than 70 years.

Marr, who has been presenting The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One for 15 years, said he thinks the Prince of Wales will make a good king, provided he is able to hold back some of his ardent views.

Over the years, Charles has expressed opinions on the environment, farming, the countryside,

GM crops and complementary medicine. Describing the anticipated mood of the country when the Queen, now 94, dies, Marr said: “I think it is going to be an absolutely massive, massive moment.

“I think people don’t realise yet quite how traumatic and surprising it is going to feel because, whatever your views of the monarchy, the Queen has been part of our lives for more than 70 years.

“She’s been on stamps, she’s been on the currency, she’s been in our dreams.

“We refer to her all the time one way or another, and of course through The Crown and other recent films she’s been on our screens as well. She is part of us in a way that we are going to find very, very painful when she is torn out of our imaginations and our consciousnesses when she dies.”

Marr was speaking during an event at the digital Cheltenham Literature Festival to promote his new book, Elizabethans, a history of the past 70 years told through the eyes of more than 60 individuals.

Asked about the succession, Marr said: “Prince Charles has been waiting for the job for a very, very long time.”

He said he could be a good king, providing he put to one side some of his sincerely held views.