Tribute Queen Elizabeth II

For the past 94 years, this daily Last Post ceremony has paid tribute to the memory of men and women who gave their lives in the service of their country. Tonight, exceptionally, we also pause for a moment to remember the life and service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, whose dedication and devotion towards the country she loved was second to none. 

Queen Elizabeth was herself a veteran of the Second World War, having served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women’s branch of the British Army, and she retained a close interest in the armed forces and the cause of remembrance throughout her long reign. 

Until health prevented her, she always attended the annual ceremony of remembrance each November at the Cenotaph in London and she also visited the Menin Gate and the Last Post ceremony on no fewer than three occasions: in May 1966, November 1998, and July 2007. As well as being much loved by her own people, she was also a good friend to the people of Belgium and we too mourn her passing. The world will not see her like again.    

May I please ask you to join us in observing a minute’s silence in her memory.