The funeral of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was a fitting goodbye to someone who gave their life to the service of this country.
I know many people from Eastbourne and Willingdon made the trip to London to be there in person. Countless more tuned in at home to pay their respects.
My heart was heavy but it also swelled with immense pride at a ceremony full of love, thanks and ancient symbolism in front of a watching world.
I have been quite amazed at how the world has grieved with us these last two weeks. It really does appear she was The Queen in a global sense. Thank you to all those who took part, particularly our amazing armed services.
But we have a new King who has acted with incredible dignity while in mourning. I wish him the very best and he certainly deserves some time now with his family as they come to terms with their loss and to reflect on the enormous responsibility he now has. It is right he has a chance to do this away from the cameras.
The Queen, with her acute sense of duty, would not want us to dwell but to get on with life. Parliament has returned and I took my turn to swear allegiance to His Majesty in the House of Commons this week.
I took the King James Bible in my hand and made a simple oath in a short ceremony. However, it was full of real meaning for me and a tangible indication of a new chapter for our country.
The Carolean Age has begun and I think the new King is very conscious of his destiny and the example of his mother during her seven decades on the throne. We will see a very different King to that of the Prince of Wales we knew for all those years.
And so, it must be. Our constitutional monarchy system has developed a set of rules and conventions that defines the King’s role. I hope he will in time put his personality into the role, just like his mother did, but I believe it will be light in its touch.
