Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II dedicated her life to the service of the people of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and, indeed, the world. I know that I join countless people across South Swindon in paying tribute to the remarkable life she led and giving thanks for the extraordinary contributions she made in her seventy years on the throne. No part of our national life has been left untouched by The late Queen's famous sense of duty, and that is the case here in Swindon, too.
Queen Elizabeth II visited our town on no less than five occasions. First, she came here in 1950, as Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Swindon becoming one borough. Then, she came again in 1954, 1971, 1997 and 1998 – each time being greeted by rapturous crowds desperate to get a glimpse of the most famous woman in the world.
Some of the town's most recognisable and beloved landmarks were opened by The late Queen, with her 1950 visit involving the opening of the Garden of Remembrance at the aptly named Queen's Park and her inauguration of the Wyvern Theatre in 1971.
Swindon's love for Queen Elizabeth II was there for all to see just a few months ago when we celebrated the Platinum Jubilee as one community. I do not doubt that our town will come together once again, in an altogether different spirit, to mourn the loss of a woman who meant so much to so many of us as the longest-reigning sovereign in British history.
Many tributes have already been made locally, with the muffled bells at Christ Church ringing out ninety-six times at noon on Friday. There is a book of condolence there, open to all residents who wish to share their thoughts and memories of our late Queen, and I will be reading at the Civic Service there on Friday, 16th September, at 7 pm. There is also a book of condolence at the Council offices on Euclid Street, and floral tributes to Her late Majesty The Queen can be laid at the Memorial Garden in Queen's Park and the Civic Offices.
After being reappointed as Secretary of State for Wales by new Prime Minister Liz Truss, I was honoured to attend the Accession Council at St James's Palace on Saturday and to play a part in one of the main Proclamation ceremonies, held at Cardiff Castle on Sunday. The monarchy is an institution steeped in ceremony, and I hope that people have been able, as I have, to take comfort and reassurance in the stability that tradition provides at a sad time like this.
I was pleased to see a specific tradition continued, with His Majesty The King’s announcement that Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and his wife, Catherine, are to be Prince and Princess of Wales, respectively. We can all see from the example set by the current King how much good can be done as Prince of Wales, and I wish the pair every success.
I would, of course, also like to convey my best wishes to The King as he takes on one of the world's most iconic and important roles. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to mourn his mother's death in such a public way, at the same time as coming to terms with the enormity of becoming Sovereign. From all I know about His Majesty The King, and after having had an audience with him at Buckingham Palace on Saturday, I am certain that he will follow in his mother's footsteps of being the very embodiment of service and duty. He has the makings of a truly great monarch, and I know people across the town will join me in saying God save The King.
