‘We share the sorrow of the nation’

Commissioner Anthony Cotterill

Queen remembered ‘with gratitude and affection’

The leader of The Salvation Army in the UK and Ireland has said that the church and charity gives thanks for Elizabeth II

THE prayers of The Salvation Army go

out to the royal family after the death of the Queen, says the leader of the church and charity in the UK and Ireland, Commissioner Anthony Cotterill, adding that the Army remembers ‘with gratitude and affection’ the times when she demonstrated her support for its work.

‘We share the sorrow of the nation at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,’ says the commissioner in a statement. ‘It brings to an end a reign lasting more than 70 years. The Queen has remained steadfast in her Christian faith throughout the tremendous challenges and enormous changes the country has come through in that time.

‘Our sincerest condolences and prayers go out to the Queen’s children and grandchildren, and all of the royal family, at this extremely difficult time.

‘As head of the royal family, the Queen has been an inspiration to us all and we give thanks for her long reign and her outstanding service to country and Commonwealth. We especially remember with gratitude and affection the occasions

when she demonstrated her support for the frontline work of The Salvation Army.’ The commissioner notes that the Queen attended The Salvation Army’s centenary celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall in 1965 and often visited its services around the world. ‘She regularly visited our centres and met the people we look after, including those battling drug addictions and homelessness,’ he says. ‘She opened many of our facilities, including our home for women in 1980 and She met the numerous others around the country, always taking time to people we meet and talk with individuals.’ The commissioner personally look after remembers how, at Christmas 2020, the Queen welcomed him, along with his wife, Commissioner Gillian Cotterill, and a Salvation Army band playing carols, to Windsor Castle to thank The Salvation Army and other faith groups and charities for their work during the pandemic. ‘It was an honour to meet her and members of the royal family,’ he says. ‘I know that Salvationists throughout the United Kingdom, and beyond, will give

The Queen in 2002 at her reopening of a centre for people experiencing homelessness

thanks to God for her long life of service, devotion to God and people, and will continue to pray for the royal family.’