IN this week’s column for the Wellington Weekly, Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow, pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:

I know it has been such a sad and difficult week for many across the constituency, and the whole country, following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I was honoured to be able to pay tribute to the remarkable life of Her Majesty in last Friday’s session in Parliament and express deepest condolences to the Royal Family on behalf of the people of Taunton Deane. Her Majesty holds a special place in our hearts locally as it was she that became the first Monarch to come to Taunton in almost 500 years, (in 1987) finally breaking the long-held view that the people of Taunton were ‘rebellious’ and anti-Monarchist. This stemmed back to the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, and the Battle of Sedgemoor, which threatened to overthrow the Monarchy. Fortunately, this did not succeed. My full speech can be found on my website: https://www.rebeccapow.org.uk/news/tribute-her-majesty-queen-elizabeth-ii

Many events have taken place locally, including the historic Proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III in Taunton on Sunday which I was proud to take part in, sharing the experience with all those who gathered around the Market Cross. And on Monday, I was privileged to attend the Presentation of Addresses in Westminster Hall. This ceremony last took place 70 years ago when her late Majesty became queen. Singing God Save the King to the new King was something I will forever treasure.

On a practical note, if you are planning to attend ongoing events in London including Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster please study the guidance and be prepared for delays on public transport, road closures, and extremely long queues.

We are fortunate to have lived with Her Majesty as our Head of State. She passes on many of her exceptional attributes to her son King Charles III and I know that he will undertake the role with the same extraordinary attitude to public service that his own mother did and just as she did in her way, he will take us forward to a positive future in his own unique way.

May her blessed Majesty rest in peace. God Save the King.

Rebecca Pow MP