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Kevin Hollinrake – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

The tribute made by Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton, in the House of Commons on 10 September 2022.

It is a great privilege, on behalf of myself, my family—my mum, as an adoring fan of the Queen and the royal family, would have been particularly proud—and my constituents, to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen and pay my respects to her family.

Sadly, we never truly appreciate what we have until it is gone and there is no finer illustration of that than the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. She has been such a constant presence that, throughout the inevitable peaks and valleys of life, it seemed she would always be there—a golden thread woven through each of our lives. She has, though, always been there for us, as strong and steadfast as her beloved highlands: seemingly faultless—I am sure she would argue with that—and infallible, but accepting, understanding and forgiving of fallibility.

The Queen was truly the best of us. She had an exceptional sense of public service, duty, responsibility and selflessness, combined with good humour, hope and optimism. She made us proud to be British, yet she was always humble, unassuming and deeply interested in everything and everyone around her. It was never about her. The finest tribute and greatest legacy that we could ever give is to follow her lead to be better versions of ourselves—more selfless, more charitable, more optimistic, more forgiving and less judgmental—in her memory. Perhaps it is understandable that we did not fully appreciate what we had, so now let us appreciate what we have. God bless her and God save the King.

11/09/2022
Mike Wood – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

The tribute made by Mike Wood, the Conservative MP for Dudley South, in the House of Commons on 10 September 2022.

It is a privilege to pay tribute, on behalf of people in Dudley South, to our much-loved late monarch, Queen Elizabeth, and to offer our condolences to His Majesty the King, and to the royal family.

There is a poem popular at funerals that begins,

“Do not weep that I have gone,

but rejoice that I have been.”

It seems appropriate, for while we grieve for the loss of a beloved sovereign, we rejoice at all that she has given to us, our country, and the Commonwealth. Whether through providence or good fortune, we are blessed to have been granted such selfless service from one of the world’s great leaders for so very long, but it is not just because of her longevity that she will surely be remembered, long after we are gone, as Elizabeth the Great, to use the words of my right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson).

Her late Majesty has guided our country since its rebuilding after the ravages of war, and since rationing was still in place, and saw it become a modern, 21st-century society. She took a disintegrating empire and created a strong Commonwealth family of nations. She was integral to our national identities, and embodied so much of what we like to think of as particularly British values and qualities. She united communities and helped to heal divisions between countries and Governments. Queen Elizabeth will be remembered for her contribution to every part of our national life, for she not only reigned over us but was there alongside us. She celebrated with us during times of national jubilation, and she provided comfort and constancy at times of great challenge. She met more people than possibly anybody else in history, and for all who met her, it was an experience that they never forgot.

Her late Majesty visited Brierley Hill, which is now part of my constituency, in 1957, not long after the start of her long reign. It was the first of three visits to Dudley borough and, 65 years later, people still have vivid memories of the day that the Queen came to town. More recently, as a student barrister, I was privileged to meet her during a training weekend at the Westminster estates, and I can only hope that the Prime Minister and other Ministers were more coherent when they were sworn into the Privy Council than I suspect I was on that day.

The Queen has been such a central part of our national life for so long that, even now, it is difficult to truly accept that she is gone. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, His Majesty the King and the royal family will always remain in our thoughts, in our prayers and in our hearts. God save the King.

11/09/2022
Ben Everitt – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

The tribute made by Ben Everitt, the Conservative MP for Milton Keynes North, in the House of Commons on 10 September 2022.

It is a pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Laura Trott), who gave a warm and glowing tribute—we have heard many over the past 48 hours. There have been many anecdotes and many recurring themes. I am aware, Mr Speaker, of your guidance, and the guidance of Mr Deputy Speaker, on timing and repetition. It is on the latter that I fear I may have an issue, because I am speaking after my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes South (Iain Stewart), who essentially gave the speech that I wanted to give, but better. I am grateful to him for remaining in his place, possibly to see what I come up with.

With the House’s indulgence, I will just share a personal reflection. It is a huge honour and genuine privilege to serve Her late Majesty the Queen in this place as a Member of Parliament, and as MP for Milton Keynes North, and an honour to pay tribute to our late Queen on behalf of its people. This summer, in her jubilee year, she bestowed city status on Milton Keynes, and that means so much to its people. People from outside Milton Keynes often say, “Well, what exactly does it mean to the people of Milton Keynes?” Indeed it is quite baffling and hard to explain. We got a letter, sent on Her late Majesty’s behalf, that does not quite explain what it means, but says at some length what it does not mean. In lieu of giving the speech I prepared, I thought I might read some of it:

“I am delighted to inform you that I was able to make a favourable recommendation for Milton Keynes to receive city status and that this has been approved by Her Majesty The Queen.

As you will know, this honour does not confer any additional functions, funding or powers nor does it confer upon the Mayor or Provost, the title of Lord Mayor or Lord Provost, the grant of this privilege being an entirely separate matter.

However, this is a rare honour granted by HM The Queen, and given the standard and number of applications was very high you should be very proud.”

We are so proud. Thank you, Your Majesty. It is an honour that goes well beyond any of the others listed in the letter. It is in our souls. I am proud to have served the Queen, and am proud to serve our new King. Long live the King.

11/09/2022
Laura Trott – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

The tribute made by Laura Trott, the Conservative MP for Sevenoaks, in the House of Commons on 10 September 2022.

It is a privilege to hear the incredible tributes we have heard today.

Her Majesty touched the lives and hearts of everyone in Sevenoaks and Swanley. When I went to sign the book of condolence yesterday, it was full of incredible stories and tributes, but I thought I would reflect today on Her Majesty’s relationship with one of my more famous former constituents, and her first Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. Describing Her Majesty on the day of her coronation, Sir Winston said she was

“a Lady whom we respect because she is our Queen and whom we love because she is herself.”

I think that sentiment is shared across the House today.

Chartwell, Churchill’s country home for more than 40 years, is filled with his most cherished possessions. One photo stood out on my most recent trip there and it has been on my mind since Thursday evening, when we heard the statement from Buckingham Palace that we all dreaded. In Churchill’s bedroom, among many pictures of horses, is a framed photograph of Sir Winston on Buckingham Palace’s balcony on VE Day. He is standing next to the then King and Queen, and Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. The photograph is signed by all four members of the royal family and celebrates one of the most important moments of Churchill’s life and career, as well as in the history of Britain. For Churchill to hang this picture on his bedroom wall, in his inner sanctum, shows just how important it was to him. The photo symbolises not only victory against tyranny but the vital role the royal family played in his wartime leadership and the strength of the relationship between Parliament and the Crown, a relationship that has never been more evident than in the past few days.

On behalf of everyone in Sevenoaks and Swanley, I say, “Thank you, ma’am, for everything. We owe you so much.” May she rest in peace. God save the King.

11/09/2022
Richard Bacon – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

The tribute made by Richard Bacon, the Conservative MP for South Norfolk, in the House of Commons on 10 September 2022.

It is an honour to offer my tribute to Her late Majesty, both on behalf of the constituents of South Norfolk and personally. I will not resile from anything our Scottish friends have said about Her Majesty’s great love of Scotland, and it might not be a coincidence—it may have been by choice—that Her Majesty chose to spend her last days in the place she loved the most, but she also loved Norfolk. My hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (James Wild) spoke of Sandringham yesterday.

Soon after Her late Majesty’s accession in 1952, she became patron of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, which hosts the Royal Norfolk show, one of England’s premier agricultural events, in South Norfolk. The Queen attended the show in person in 1981 and again in 1986. His Majesty the King, as the Prince of Wales, has twice attended the Royal Norfolk show in the last two decades, and I was privileged as the local Member of Parliament to meet him on both occasions. Indeed, all the children of Her late Majesty have visited the Royal Norfolk show, as have other members of the royal family. We were delighted to welcome the Princess Royal just over two months ago.

Farmers and food producers across the county of Norfolk deeply appreciate the commitment of Her late Majesty and the wider royal family to food and farming over many decades, long before the words “food security” were even thought of. The Queen visited South Norfolk in February 2002 to open the headquarters of Norfolk constabulary in Wymondham, and again in February 2004 to open the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

I particularly remember the Queen’s visit to the new police headquarters, when I was honoured to meet her. I was standing next to the chief constable in the receiving line. The then lord lieutenant, Sir Timothy Colman, introduced the Queen to the chief constable with the words, “Your chief constable, ma’am.” I suddenly reflected that he was, indeed, her chief constable, just as it was her Royal Navy, her courts and her civil service, and just as this Parliament sat under her authority with our Mace as its symbol. The system of constitutional monarchy that we have evolved is a pearl of great price precisely because it allows us to change. At the same time it offers constancy, as perfectly embodied in Her late Majesty.

On behalf of my constituents in South Norfolk, I thank Her late Majesty for all her extraordinary service. I offer my deepest condolences to the royal family and look forward with confidence and optimism to the new era before us. May the Queen rest in peace. God save the King.

11/09/2022
Kieran Mullan – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

The tribute made by Kieran Mullan, the Conservative MP for Crewe and Nantwich, in the House of Commons on 10 September 2022.

It is a privilege for me to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II today on behalf of the people of Crewe and Nantwich and surrounding villages. I did not have the honour of meeting the Queen, but in a testament to her decades of service and the diligent attention she paid to every corner of her realm, Her Majesty visited the area numerous times. In 1972, she opened Leighton Hospital. In 1987, she opened Crewe Heritage Centre and visited Crewe Works. In 1995, she was greeted by 200 south-west Cheshire scouts at Crewe train station, and in 2010, she visited Reaseheath College in Nantwich.

As others have said, a visit by the Queen—the handshakes, the conversations, even just distant glimpses—stay in people’s memories. Leighton Hospital’s longest-serving member of staff, Phil Malam, now aged 69, talked about the visit as part of the hospital’s recent 50th anniversary celebrations. The visit took place just a few days after the then 19-year-old began working as a hospital porter. He wrote:

“It was a very special day…I remember we lined the corridor and the Queen spoke to quite a few of us as she walked past. She was really interested in what we did and thanked us—a lovely lady.”

That is absolutely typical of how people describe interactions with the Queen: “She was really interested in what we did and thanked us.” Over 70 years, I cannot even begin to imagine the number of conversations, handshakes, school and hospital openings, state occasions, visits by dignitaries and tours abroad—70 years of unwavering service to this country and her people, always interested, always smiling, always polite. In the age of celebrity, where to be famous is to be of interest to others, the most famous woman in the world was more interested in others. What drove her was a sense of duty and, as others have said, her wish to keep that promise that she made at just 21: to devote her life to our service. It was a promise solemnly made, and solemnly kept.

Why does that stir such strong sentiment in us? I think it is because we know our failings as humans are often rooted in self-interest of one kind or another: our desire to be important or admired, to achieve things, to be celebrated, to think mostly of ourselves and our family and friends. When someone extends the bonds of service to an entire nation, as the Queen did, to people she would never meet or know—when we see someone embodying the best of what it means to be human, the opposite of self-interest—that inspires us. It gives us a glimpse of what we are all capable of. That is why I admired the Queen.

But, as she embodied us, the millions who undertake acts of community and voluntary service embody her as well. The scout leader, the children’s Sunday league football coach, the parkrun or marathon steward, the parish councillor, the Samaritans helpline volunteer, and the litter-pick group member all follow her example. Now I look at that final picture of her taken this week, and in retrospect, I think there was a deeper meaning to that final act of service than I realised at the time. Right at the end of her life, when perhaps for the rest of us our own comfort would come first, Her Majesty was once again absolutely determined to put her promise to us first—one last desire to help her people and her Prime Minister, entering another period of difficulty and uncertainty, to take that first step towards it with her yet again at our side. Now, rest in peace, Your Majesty. God save the King.

11/09/2022
Richard Holden – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

The tribute made by Richard Holden, the Conservative MP for North West Durham, in the House of Commons on 10 September 2022.

I rise today to pay tribute myself and on behalf of my constituents. There have already been some very moving reflections from many Members, and I have felt it a privilege to be in the Chamber in the last couple of days, especially for the contributions from my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) and the right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman), whose charming personal anecdotes about the Queen exemplified the private charm of someone who lived their life in the full public view. Those stories captured the affection and personal touches of a graceful sovereign who humour and kind heart transcended generations, languages and continents like no one else.

Yesterday, my right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson), in his traditional style, rightly noted that the Queen’s exemplary commitment to public service means that she will enter the annals of our history, and that of the world, as Elizabeth the Great. As the Prime Minister rightly remarked yesterday, the late Queen’s spirit of public service will serve as a shining example to empower and inspire future generations, including her son as he takes on his immense new task as His Majesty King Charles III.

Her late Majesty did not just live by the principles and values of public service: the length, depth and breadth of her dutiful commitment, not only to the United Kingdom but to our realms across the seas, the Commonwealth and the world, made her into essentially a human embodiment of selfless public service.

Over the past few days, one quote from Ecclesiastes has returned to me again and again:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven”.

Throughout her life, as she grew with us, the Queen fulfilled many purposes as a constitutional monarch to passing generations: a friend, a mother, a grandmother and, in recent years, perhaps even a great-grandmother. Maybe we can find some purpose in her passing, too. Her late Majesty the Queen epitomised duty and public service, so much so that when we hear those words today, we see her and her example. She will be sorely missed, but she will never be forgotten. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. God save the King.

11/09/2022
James Daly – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

The tribute made by James Daly, the Conservative MP for Bury North, in the House of Commons on 10 September 2022.

The 22nd of October 1954 was a rainy, cold day in Bury, but thousands of people lined the streets, waiting for hours in the pouring rain to see the young Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on their post-coronation trip to the north-west of England, to see the great towns and cities of the north. There is a wonderful Pathé film of the occasion and one can feel down the ages the happiness, excitement, passion and pride of everyone from all the different towns in knowing that for one moment they might see their Queen, who meant so much to them.

Bury has changed greatly since 1954 in all sorts of ways, including socially. The buildings now look very different to the Pathé film, but the excitement, pride, love and devotion of the people of Bury for their sovereign has never changed. The young Princess Elizabeth first came to Bury in 1938—she was very young then. She came back with her father in 1945: Bury was one of the great towns of the north, producing armaments. She came again in 1954, and in 1968 she visited Radcliffe, another great industrial town just outside my constituency. In 1992, she came back again to visit Bury town hall, which she had opened on that rainy day in 1954.

To me, the Queen represents something that is unique and personal. She is linked to every household, every person, every village, every town and every street in this country. She means different things to us all, but she is a constant, and an example of a set of principles that she lived her life by, for which we all loved and admired her. She said to this nation many decades ago that she would give her life in the service of the people of this country and Commonwealth, and she did exactly that.

The Queen stands for something more than we are. She touched the lives of every single person in Bury, Ramsbottom and Tottington. We have all lived in the Elizabethan age, whether we are six months or 70 years old. We all share the same values, and we have been honoured to live through a time that has linked our towns, our heritage, our histories and our families in the same feelings of love, joy and pride in a unique, wonderful woman. May she rest in peace. God save the King.

11/09/2022
HM Queen Elizabeth II – List of State Visits (Inward)

A list of State Visits taking place during the reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II (1952-2022). This is the list of inward visits, held in the UK (the outward list is here).

2019

USA (United States of America)

President Donald J. Trump and Mrs Melania Trump
3-5 June 2019

2018

The Netherlands

Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands
23-24 October 2018

2017

Spain (the Kingdom of Spain)

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia
12-15 July 2017

2016

Colombia

President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón and Mrs María Clemencia Rodríguez de Santos
1-3 November 2016

2015

China (the People’s Republic of China)

President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan
20-23 October 2016

Mexico (the United Mexican States)

President Enrique Pena Nieto and Señora Angélica Rivera de Peña
3-5 March 2015

2014

Singapore (the Republic of Singapore)

President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs. Tan Keng Yam
21-24 October 2014

Ireland (the Republic of Ireland)

President Michael D. Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins
8-11 April 2014

2013

South Korea (the Republic of Korea)

President Park Geun-hye
5-7 November 2013

UAE (United Arab Emirates)

President Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
30 April – 1 May 2013

2012

Kuwait (the State of Kuwait)

Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah
27-29 November 2012

Indonesia (the Republic of Indonesia)

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Mrs. Yudohoyono
31 October – 2 November 2012

2011

Turkey

President Abdullah Gül and Mrs. Gül
22-24 November 2011

USA (United States of America)

President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama
24-26 May 2011

2010

Qatar (the State of Qatar)

Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser AlMissned
26-28 November 2010

South Africa (the Republic of South Africa)

President Jacob Zuma and Mrs. Zuma
3-5 March 2010

2009

India (the Republic of India)

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Dr. Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat
27-29 October 2009

Mexico (the United Mexican States)

President Felipe Calderón and Señora Zavala
30 March-2 April 2009

2008

France (the French Republic)

President and Madame Nicolas Sarkozy
26-27 March 2008

2007

Saudi Arabia (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
30 October-1 November 2007

Ghana (the Republic of Ghana)

President John Kufuor and Mrs. Kufuor
13-15 March 2007

2006

Brazil (the Federative Republic of Brazil)

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senhora Lula da Silva
7-9 March 2006

2005

China (the People’s Republic of China)

President Hu Jintao and Madame Liu Yongqing
8-10 November 2005

Italy (the Italian Republic)

President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Signora Ciampi
15-18 March 2005

2004

South Korea (the Republic of Korea)

President Roh Moo-hyun and Mrs. Roh Moo-hyun
1-3 December 2004

Poland (the Republic of Poland)

President Aleksander Kwaśniewski and Mrs. Kwaśniewska
5-7 May 2004

2003

USA (the United States of America)

President George Bush and Mrs. Bush
18-21 November 2003

Russia (the Russian Federation)

President Vladimir Putin and Mrs. Putina
24-27 June 2003

2001

Jordan (the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan)

King Abdullah II and Queen Rania
6-9 November 2001

South Africa (the Republic of South Africa)
President Thabo Mbeki and Mrs. Mbeki
12-15 June 2001

2000

Denmark

Queen Margrethe II and Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark
16-18 February 2000

1999

China (the People’s Republic of China)

President Jiang Zemin and Madame Wang Yeping
19-22 October 1999

Hungary (the Republic of Hungary)

President Árpád Göncz and Mrs. Göncz
22-25 June 1999

1998

Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany)

President Roman Herzog and Frau Herzog
1-4 December 1998

Japan

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko
26-29 May 1998

1997

Brazil (the Federative Republic of Brazil)

President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Senhora Cardoso
2-5 December 1997

Israel (the State of Israel)

President Ezer Weizman and Mrs. Weizman
25-28 February 1997

1996

South Africa (the Republic of South Africa)

President Nelson Mandela
9-12 July 1996

France (the French Republic)

President Jacques Chirac and Madame Chirac
14-17 May 1996

1995

Finland (the Republic of Finland)

President Martti Ahtisaari and Madame Ahtisaari
17-20 October 1995

Kuwait (the State of Kuwait)

Amir Shaikh Jabir al Ahmed Jabir al Sabah
23-26 May 1995

1994

Norway

King Harald V and Queen Sonja
5-8 July 1994

Zimbabwe (the Republic of Zimbabwe)

President Robert Mugabe
17-20 May 1994

1993

Malaysia

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and The Raja Permaisuri Agong
9-12 November 1993

Portugal (the Portuguese Republic)

President Mário Soares and Senhora Soares
27-30 April 1993

1992

Brunei Darassalam

The Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam and The Raja Isteri
3-6 November 1992

1991

Egypt (the Arab Republic of Egypt)

President Hosni Mubarak and Mrs. Mubarak
23-26 July 1991

Poland (the Republic of Poland)

President Lech Walęsa and Mrs. Walęsa
23-26 April 1991

1990

Italy (the Italian Republic)

President Francesco Cossiga
23-26 October 1990

India (the Republic of India)

President Ramaswamy Venkataraman and Shrimali Venkataraman
3-6 April 1990

1989

Nigeria (the Federal Republic of Nigeria)

President and Mrs. Babangida
9-12 May 1989

UAE (The United Arab Emirates)

President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
18-21 July 1989

1988

Senegal (the Republic of Senegal)

President Abdou Diouf and Madame Diouf
8-11 November 1988

Turkey (the Republic of Turkey)

President Kenan Evren
12-15 July 1988

Norway

King Olav V
12-15 April 1988

1987

Morocco (the Kingdom of Morocco)

King Hassan II
14-17 July 1987

Saudi Arabia (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

King Fahd
24-27 March 1987

1986

Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany)

President Richard von Weizsäcker and Freifrau von Weizsacker
1-4 July 1986

Spain (the Kingdom of Spain)

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia
22-25 April 1986

1985

Qatar (the State of Qatar)

Amir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani
12-15 November 1985

Mexico

President Miguel de la Madrid and Señora de la Madrid
11-14 June 1985

Malawi (the Republic of Malawi)

Life President Hastings Banda
16-19 April 1985

1984

France (the French Republic)

President François Mitterand and Madame Mitterand
23-26 October 1984

Bahrain(the State of Bahrain)

Amir Shaikh Isa bin Sulman Al Khalifa
10-13 April 1984

1983

Zambia (the Republic of Zambia)

President Kenneth Kaunda and Mrs. Kaunda
22-25 March 1983

1982

Netherlands (the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus
16-19 November 1982

Oman (the State of Oman)

Sultan Qaboos Bin Al Said
16-19 March 1982

1981

Saudi Arabia (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

King Khaled
9-12 June 1981

Nigeria (the Federal Republic of Nigeria)

President Shehu Shagari
17-20 March 1981

1980

Nepal (the Kingdom of Nepal)

King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya
18-21 November 1980

1979

Indonesia (the Republic of Indonesia)

President Suharto and Madame Tien Soeharto
13-16 November 1979

Kenya (the Republic of Kenya)

President Daniel Arap Moi
12-15 June 1979

1978

Portugal (the Republic of Portugal)

President António Eanes and Senhora Eanes
14-17 November 1978

Romania (the Socialist Republic of Romania)

President Nicolae Ceauşescu and Madame Ceauşescu
13-16 June 1978

1976

France (the French Republic)

President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing and Madame d’Estaing
22-25 June 1976

Brazil (the Federative Republic of Brazil)

President Ernesto Geisel and Senhora Geisel
4-7 May 1976

1975

Tanzania (the United Republic of Tanzania)

President Nyerere
18-21 November 1975

Sweden

King Carl XVI Gustaf
8-11 July 1975

1974

Malaysia

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and The Raja Permaisuri Agong
9-12 July 1974

Denmark

Queen Margrethe II and Prince Consort Henrik
30 April – 3 May 1974

1973

Zaire (the Republic of Zaire)

President Mobuto Sese Seko and Madame Mobutu
11-14 December 1973

Nigeria (the Federal Republic of Nigeria)

Head of the Federal Military Government General Yakubu Gowon and Mrs. Gowon
12-15 June 1973

Mexico

President Luis Echeverría and Señora de Echeverría
3-6 April 1973

1972

Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany)

President Gustav Heinemann and Frau Heinemann
24-27 October 1972

Luxembourg (the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg)

Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte
13-16 June 1972

Netherlands (the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard
11-15 June 1972

1971

Afghanistan

King Mohammed Zahir Shah, Princess Bilquis and General Sardar Abdul Wali
7-10 December 1971

Japan

Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako
5-8 October 1971

1969

Finland (the Republic of Finland)

President Urho Kekkonen and Madame Kekkonen
15-20 July 1969

Italy (the Italian Republic)

President Saragat and Signora Santacatterina
22-30 April 1969

1967

Turkey (the Republic of Turkey)

President Cevdet Sunay and Madame Sunay
1-8 November 1967

Saudi Arabia (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

King Faisal
9-17 May 1967

1966

Pakistan (the Republic of Pakistan)

President Ayub Khan
17-25 November 1966

Jordan (the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan)

King Hussein and The Princess Muna al Hussein
19-28 July 1966

Austria (the Republic of Austria)

Federal President Franz Jonas and Frau Jonas
17-21 May 1966

1965

Chile

President Eduardo Frei and Señora de Frei
13-17 July 1965

1964

Sudan (the Republic of Sudan)

President Ferik Ibrahim Abbood
26 May – 4 June 1964

1963

Greece (Kingdom of the Hellenes)

King Paul I and Queen Frederika
9-12 July 1963

India

President Sarvepalli Radharkrishnan
12-23 June 1963

Belgium

King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola
14-17 May 1963

Norway

King Olav V
16-19 October 1963

1962

Liberia (the Republic of Liberia)

President Martin Tubman and Mrs. Tubman
10-13 July 1962

1960

Nepal (the Kingdom of Nepal)

King Mahendra and Queen Ratna
17-20 October 1960

Thailand (Kingdom of Thailand)

King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit
19-21 July 1960

France (the French Republic)

President Charles de Gaulle and Madame de Gaulle
5-8 April 1960

1959

Iran

The Shahanshah
5-8 May 1959

1958

Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany)

President Theodor Heuss
21-23 October 1958

Italy (the Italian Republic)

President Giovanni Gronchi and Signora Gronchi
13-16 May 1958

1956

Iraq

King Feisal
16-19 July 1956

1955

Portugal (the Portuguese Republic)

President Francisco Craveiro Lopes and Madame Craveiro Lopes
25-28 October 1955

1954

Ethiopia

Emperor Haile Selassie
14-16 October 1954

Sweden

King Gustaf VI Adolf and Queen Louise
28 June-1 July 1954

11/09/2022
Christopher Chope – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

The tribute made by Sir Christopher Chope, the Conservative MP for Christchurch, in the House of Commons on 10 September 2022.

My constituents and I thank His Majesty the King for his words of comfort and reassurance following today’s proclamation of accession as sovereign. We send His Majesty and the whole royal family our deepest condolences on the death of Her Majesty.

The second Elizabethan age has received many references in the last day and a half of debate. Christchurch probably has more people than any other constituency who can remember the beginning of the second Elizabethan age, in 1952, and I am among those privileged to have lived throughout the late Queen’s 70-year reign. I first saw her at her coronation in 1953, when my parents were invited to watch it on a friend’s black-and-white television—I think it was the first time I had ever seen a television.

I have been lucky enough to meet Her late Majesty on several occasions, first at an investiture in 1982 and last at an investiture in 2018, but the meeting to which I shall allude took place when I was asked by the Secretary of State for Transport to host the occasion when Her Majesty opened the Queen Elizabeth II bridge across the Thames, linking the two parts of the M25. As a junior Minister, I was tremendously nervous, but Her Majesty put me at my ease. We had a long private conversation about the bridge, its construction and its funding, and I remember assuring her that the tolls would be lifted as soon as the bridge was paid for. I am pleased to say that Her Majesty kept her counsel on that, as today the tolls are still there even through the bridge has been paid for several times over. I remember that occasion distinctly.

So also do I remember the occasion when Her late Majesty attended the 80th birthday party of Margaret Thatcher. The way she showed her support and encouragement to Margaret Thatcher on that occasion was really moving, because she was not in the best of health. That is an example of the way in which Her late Majesty rose to the occasion. She was not doing something party political—I think Tony Blair was there as well—but her compassion showed through to all of us who had the privilege to be present.

The Queen encapsulated and exemplified all those qualities that make our nation the envy of the world, and make us so proud to be British. The second Elizabethan age, which has drawn to a close this week, will be revered for centuries to come. Weren’t we lucky to be part of it?

11/09/2022