Church leaders across the UK have praised the Queen for her 70 years of service to the country.
As celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee begin, the heads of the main Christian denominations in the UK have issued statements celebrating her life of dignity, respect and commitment to the nation.
The head of the Church of England, Most Rev Justin Welby, who will miss all celebrations due to testing positive for Covid, took to Twitter to share his gratitude for her service.
He said: “We pray and give thanks for Her Majesty The Queen. May she know the depth of our gratitude for her service. May she know our love for her. May she continue to reign with grace and wisdom.”
Meanwhile, Cardinal Vincent Nicholls, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales described Her Majesty’s service as “astonishing”.
“Today we thank God for all the years of astonishing service that have been given by Her Majesty The Queen from that day of her solemn anointing, through times of peace and great sadness, suffering and joy.
“God bless Her Majesty. May we pray for her always.”
The Bishops in the Church in Wales also joined in celebrating the monarch, highlighting her Christian faith.
“Throughout her reign, Her Majesty has been guided by her Christian faith and has won the hearts of her people through a life of dignity, respect and commitment to them.
“We particularly appreciate the Queen’s fondness of Wales and remember with gratitude her many visits here, whether they were to celebrate with us or to share our times of grief and sadness. Her presence has so often been a source of comfort, reassurance and steadfastness to many as the years have gone by,” the statement read.
Reflecting on his personal recollection of Her Majesty, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rt Rev Dr David Bruce, also gave his own tribute to the Queen.
“I was born almost six years into Queen Elizabeth’s reign, so in common with most people, I cannot remember a time when she was not at the very centre of the UK’s national life. Her image has always been on the coins and stamps I have used,” he said.
He continued: “In paying tribute to her, it is poignant to recall that the high office she assumed in 1952 was one she did not anticipate holding. This unprecedented Jubilee is therefore even more remarkable.”
And the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Church, Revd Sonia Hicks and Barbara Easton have also expressed their gratitude for “Her Majesty’s dedication to her duty over the last seven decades”.
“We express our gratitude to her for the grace and fidelity with which she has exercised her responsibilities and the example of Christian service that she has offered to all her subjects, and we pray for her good health and the wellbeing of her family.”