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News: A fond farewell to HM Queen Elizabeth II
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II pictured at the G7 summit at the Eden Project in June, 2021
MEUR RAS, MA’AM
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The people of Cornwall paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following her death on September 8 at the age of 96.
Truro Cathedral hosted a Book of Condolence for members of the public to sign, and took floral tributes on Cathedral Green. A Commemorative Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Her Majesty took place on Sunday, September 18; the following day, the funeral was livestreamed on a large screen in the cathedral to a gathered crowd of around 400.
Cornwall Council leader Linda Taylor said: "Our Queen, although small in stature, was a global colossus by reputation, a bright beacon among heads of state internationally, offering a lifetime of service to her grateful nation. Her reign as monarch of our United Kingdom was unprecedented in length and she provided the continuity and stability on which our nation rested and grew through the decades.”
Personnel from RNAS Culdrose in Helston and HMS Raleigh in Torpoint played a key role in the state funeral on Monday, September 19. The Royal Navy has been responsible for pulling the ceremonial gun carriage through the streets of London since the funeral of Queen Victoria in 1901.
Colonel Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, is also one of the Gentlemen at Arms who provide a bodyguard to the monarch at ceremonial occasions. In that capacity, he stood guard over the catafalque at the lying-in-state in Westminster Hall, and marched next to the Queen’s coffin in the three-mile procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch at a rate of 75 paces to the minute.
“It was incredibly moving, and a privilege to take part,” he said. “To see all those people, of all ages and from all over the place, who queued for hours to have five minutes in Westminster Hall, maybe a few seconds with their monarch, was extraordinary and shows what affection Her Majesty was held in by so many people.” of Cornwall to mark the beginning of the reign of King Charles III took place on Sunday, September 11 on the steps of Truro Cathedral. High Sheriff Andrew Williams delivered the official statement, followed by Grand Bard Pol Hodge making the same speech in the Cornish language of Kernewek, and prayers from the Bishop of Truro. St Dennis Band accompanied the assembled crowd in the National Anthem, while Vice-Lieutenant James Williams led three cheers to the new monarch. The news was subsequently announced at locations throughout Cornwall, from Launceston to Penzance.
The Duke of Cambridge was named Prince of Wales and the 25th Duke of Cornwall. An official statement from the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery said: “The estate is in safe hands. It is right, at this time, to recognise the huge changes made by our 24th Duke of Cornwall over 70 years. His Majesty passes the estate on much improved.” l
