I am sure everyone across The Barnet Group was profoundly saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty the Queen at Balmoral yesterday afternoon. We join with everyone across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the entire world in expressing our deep sorrow for the passing of a truly remarkable monarch. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this pivotal moment in history.
Throughout her 70-year reign, the longest of any monarch in the world, the Queen exemplified the very best of public service, compassion and devotion to duty. For the majority of people in the UK, she was the Queen they grew up with, a rock of stability in an ever-changing world. No one will forget her words of solace during the Covid crisis, “We will meet again.”
We are lucky that we were all able to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the summer, a wonderful 4-day expression of thanks and rejoicing for 70 years of unstinting service. Although the Queen could not attend many of the celebrations, she showed her very human side and sense of fun with the unforgettable Paddington Bear sketch. The Queen lived a life of service, standing for the best of British values, providing grace and consistency in an uncertain world.
On her accession to the throne at the age of only 25, the Queen asked that all faiths pray for her in the daunting task ahead. I am certain that our diverse and generous people will pray for her, and for our new King, as he inherits an equally daunting challenge in these difficult times.
A book of condolence will be open at Hendon Town Hall from Monday 12 September until the day after the Queen’s State Funeral. There is also an e-condolence book available at https://www.royal.uk . The Worshipful Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Alison Moore, will be writing to Buckingham Palace to convey condolences to the Royal Family on behalf of all the residents of Barnet.
As we now enter a period of national mourning, we will keep you updated on key events over the next ten days.
Best wishes
Tim.