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I am often asked why I support Her Majesty The Queen? What is it about this lady that makes her so special? What impact has she had and continues to have on the World around us? Quite simply, she is the best public servant we have ever had. At twenty-one years old, she pledged her life to the country she serves and to the people who call her Head of State. Her dedication and commitment to the role she was born to inherit, has been heartening to observe from afar. As individuals, we have so much to learn from a woman, who has been the constant in all our lives!

My respect for the institution of Monarchy, of which The Queen is head, goes back to my childhood, the Silver Jubilee in 1977 and the street party I attended in her honour. It was of course a joyous occasion for a six-year-old child, singing, waving flags and partying on cordial and sausage rolls, but it was much more than that. I can remember looking at her picture on the mug we were all given on Jubilee day and thinking, who is this person, and what exactly does she mean to me?

My love affair with The Queen began on that day; every time I saw her on the television, I would pause and watch her quiet dignity, as she went about her work, promoting the country she served. Sometimes on the rare occasions she spoke, at times of national significance or on Christmas Day, I would listen intently, as her words of wisdom echoed throughout the room. Her Majesty, has been with me throughout my entire life, a part of the fabric of society, an enduring emblem of fortitude, tenacity and perseverance, even in the face of adversity.

Through every milestone, The Queen has been there; the last Head of State to have served during the Second World War, she continues to discharge her duty to the nation. Over seventy momentous years of change, her composed, unassuming, steadfast loyalty has shone through, even during the darkest events in modern history. This is a woman who has been the guiding hand for all of us, as we weave our way through life, pausing briefly to acknowledge her presence on state occasions and dutifully pledging our support when required to do so. Her Majesty remains serenely in the background, a part of who we are, a  mark of Britishness, admired throughout the World.

In recent times, during the pandemic, The Queen became the pivotal linchpin, as all of us tried to weather the storm clouds gathering around us. Her speech to the nation became the mantra, expressing positivity, that all of us, friends, families, and neighbours, would one day meet again during better times. When her Husband, The Duke of Edinburgh died in 2021, her unfaltering sense of right and wrong, as she sat alone, mourning the death of her strength and stay, was on display for the World to see. As Governments were rocked by lies and scandal, she remained above the fray, always following the rules, never deviating for personal gain.

Elizabeth II is the last great Monarch, echoes of a bygone age. In 2022, the World has changed out of all recognition during her seventy-year reign, and we are unlikely to ever see someone of her character again. In this age of turmoil, upheaval  and uncertainty, The Queen remains unwavering in her commitment to the people she serves. We are extremely lucky to have her as Head of State  and a symbol of freedom in this blood stained World. This platinum Jubilee serves as a reminder of the dedication and lifelong service, of a Monarch who should never have been. As we continue to celebrate over this long holiday weekend, pause for thought at the reason we raise a toast to The Queen; Grandmother of the nation! We are thankful for her service, longevity, and dependability; we are proud and inspired by a reign unmatched!

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