Even though we knew this would eventually happen, it still had the power to shock when the moment came. The Queen appeared to be in excellent spirits on the Tuesday when she greeted the new Prime Minister Liz Truss with a smile. It would seem that her health had a catastrophic turn for the worse on the Wednesday night and she died the following day.

For many people in the UK, the Queen has been a reassuring symbol of certainty and continuity throughout their lifetime. It is as if she was part of one’s own family. This sense of loss has also been felt worldwide. The Queen was a figure of immense global stature, one of the most instantly recognisable people on the planet. It is clearly a historic moment and the end of an era, the like of which few of us will have seen before, with her reign stretching back across so many decades.

Millions of people have felt an emotional jolt and a profound sense of grief. The Funeral Service on the 19 September was very moving. There was a huge outpouring of love for the late Queen. We all needed to mourn for she was part of the fabric of our national life, someone who gave a sense of stability and constancy in changing times. Her life was one of service to her people and the commonwealth to which she devoted so much time. It is only after her passing that we can begin to appreciate how important that work was. Her legacy to us is immense and we will truly miss her.

If we can take any comfort, it is in her faith. The Queens faith was very personal and deep. She was often seen going to Church, talking about her faith in her speeches, taking an interest in the religious life of the nation. The Queen served God to the best of her ability. I doubt that she should worry about meeting God. We can only echo Matthew 25.23 ‘well done, good and faithful servant’. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Although we have lost our Queen, we now have King Charles III. It is a new era and one which he has had to wait patiently for. There will be changes but he has promised to be a defender of faith and to be guided by the values of the Church of England as its Supreme Governor. He will need our prayers and support as he takes up this responsibility.

God Save the King