Queen who left a lasting legacy of hope for us all

He told the country: “That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”

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THE COUNTRY mourns Queen Elizabeth’s death but we are also ablaze with pride at the life and legacy of this greatest of monarchs. When we look back at seven decades of her extraordinary reign, we see a platinum thread running through our history.

In both bleak and bountiful days, she brought comfort, courage and cheer to people in the United Kingdom and throughout the world.

Now the baton has been passed to Charles in what is an unsettling and uncertain time for the nation.

But his first few hours as King have given us every reason to believe he will take forward the finest traditions of his mother’s reign and win the respect and admiration of the world.

In the first statement of his reign, he saluted his mother’s “love, affection, guidance, understanding and example” and praised the way that she had kept a “promise with destiny”.

He told the country: “That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”

These are inspiring words from a man who as Prince of Wales has already demonstrated a passionate commitment to public service. Through the foundation of the Prince’s Trust he has helped more than a million young people, many of whom came from desperately difficult backgrounds, fulfil their potential. He has championed the protection of the environment, forged friendships with minority communities and laboured to strengthen bonds which unite the Commonwealth.

Yesterday this grieving son of a precious mother vowed he would endeavour to serve us with “loyalty, respect and love”.

He has spent a lifetime preparing for this challenge and this 73-year-old follows in the footsteps of a monarch who will be remembered for centuries for her devotion to serving the nation.