GLOUCESTERSHIRE MPs have reflected on the “emotional farewell” to Queen Elizabeth II and her state funeral which has “touched us all and was beyond anyone’s” expectations.
Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie said she was incredibly sad but also immensely proud to be British watching the funeral.
She said it was the best of the UK on show to the world and it poignantly demonstrated what the much-loved sovereign meant to us all.
“The amount of work that went into the event was simply huge. I know it has been practised and refined for many years, but for it to take place without a single hitch was unbelievable.
“I would like to thank everyone involved from the soldiers, sailors and aviators to the police, stewards and the street cleaners. It could not have happened without you.
“We have said goodbye to our Queen. We have marked the end of the Elizabethan Age we took for granted in so many ways.
“We have a new King, who grieves but has already shown his dedication to service and duty that we have become accustomed to from Her Late Majesty. She leaves us but she is not forgotten.”
Cotswolds MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said Queen Elizabeth II ruled unstintingly, bolstered by her sense of duty, Christian faith, and her sense of humour.
“She was the rock, the constant for the nation—always wise and providing counsel,” he added.
“I watched both services avidly and it was extremely moving.
"They were an absolute tribute for a Monarch who has devoted over seventy years to dedicated and unparalleled service to this country.
“She was there for the Nation to provide comfort in moments of great sadness such as after the Aberfan disaster or during Covid.
“As well as times of great celebration such as the Platinum Jubilee and the London Olympics.
“To emphasise what I said in my tribute in Parliament, I was pleased to see that her horse and dogs were brought to the funeral. As I said, Her Majesty the Queen was a true country person.”
Gloucestershire County Council leader Mark Hawthorne said the country came together as a nation to share its grief and reflect on an extraordinary life of service as The Queen took her final trip to her beloved Windsor Castle.
He said: “While we mourn her passing, and indeed the closure of a chapter in our nation’s long history, we took comfort in seeing the new King, his heir Prince William and nine-year-old Prince George, following in the Queen’s footsteps.
“It showed us that the continuity and history she embodied throughout her life will continue for many years to come.”
Gloucester MP Richard Graham said no-one could have imagined how lucky the UK is to have had her as sovereign.
“I know from the police, armed forces and those in the Church had a sense that they would have worked all night if need be to make this astonishing tribute and send off what it was.
“As my 94-tear-old father quietly reflected today: no-one could have imagined how lucky we are to have had Queen Elizabeth, or what emotions a modern constitutional monarch can still arouse.
"And we’re reminded that the power of service is the greatest strength of all.”
Cheltenham’s MP Alex Chalk said the state funeral was an extraordinarily powerful and moving farewell fit for “our greatest Queen”.
Mr Chalk said: “In his sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury noted that the pattern for many leaders is to be exalted in life but forgotten after death.
"Let us instead dedicate ourselves to remembering Queen Elizabeth II’s example and the values she so nobly advanced: selflessness, service, integrity and courage.
“They embody the best of our nation – not merely values from the past, but what we must stand for in the future.
“And let us never forget the unity of this moment.
“In London’s famous queue, on the steps of Cheltenham’s municipal offices, in Gloucester Cathedral, people of all faiths, backgrounds, creeds and cultures came together as one nation to mourn the Queen and support King Charles III.
“In death, Her late Majesty taught us an abiding lesson: more unites us than divides us. God Save the King.”
Tewkesbury MP Laurence Robertson said it was still very hard to believe and come to terms with the fact that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is no longer with us.
The Conservative MP said he, like most Britons, had never known another monarch.
He said: “I have been overwhelmed by the dedication she showed in serving our great nation for such an enormous amount of time.
“My wife, Annie, and I have been honoured to have attended church services which have paid tribute to Her Late Majesty and which have celebrated her long life.
“We also took part in the Moment of Reflection on Sunday evening, when we stood at the cross in Tewkesbury and bowed our heads in silent remembrance.
“We watched the magnificent service from Westminster Abbey.
"It was very moving to see so many people from across the world attend the funeral.
"Also, it was wonderful to see Her Late Majesty’s strong faith reflected in the service.
“In addition, all the processions which came before and after the service would, I’m sure, have made Her Late Majesty proud, as would the huge numbers of people who have lined the streets and filed past her as she lay in state.
“As time passes and life gets back to normal, the Royal Family will still feel sadness over the passing of Her Late Majesty.
To them, she was their mother, grandmother and great grandmother and she leaves a void which can never be filled. May Queen Elizabeth II Rest in Peace. God Save the King."
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