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Archbishops of Canterbury and York praise Queen Elizabeth II's 'obedience to God' and ' 'sense of duty' on first anniversary of her death

by Kelly Valencia

The Archbishop of Canterbury has highlighted the late Queen Elizabeth II’s “obedience to God, her sense of duty” and “her love for her people” as the nation commemorates one year since her passing. 

In a special BBC Radio 4 Thought for the Day, Most Rev Justin Welby also spoke of how these anniversaries carry mixed emotions as he drew his own experience of loss and hope, following the funeral of his mother, Lady Jane Williams, earlier this week.

“All such anniversaries are double edged,” he said.

“We look backwards and we look forwards. We feel sadness at the death of those we loved, and yet hope for the future, because the gifts they have given us survive after they have gone. Today we give thanks that the legacy of Queen Elizabeth – her obedience to God, her sense of duty, her love for her people – lives on.

“Many of us will know well that ache of life continuing after death. Tuesday was my mother’s funeral. I loved her and will miss her very deeply.

“I remember the words of a letter in the Bible, 1 Peter: ‘The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures for ever.’

“So although my family will no longer enjoy her love, integrity, and other virtues, I will still see it in the faces of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her friends will remember her courage and faithfulness.”

The Archbishop of York, Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, has also paid tribute to the Queen on his social media platforms. He lauded her lifelong dedication to service and recalled his memories of the 8th of September last year.

He said: “I will never forget witnessing the thousands of people queuing each day across London to pay their respects. I chatted with many of them. Prayed with a few. Even sang a song and helped order a pizza for one or two. They were extraordinary days and demonstrated what is best in us.

“We are one nation and one humanity. We belong to each other. We too must live lives of service. Whoever we are. May Her Majesty The Queen rest in peace and rise in glory. And God save the King.”

King Charles and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have also issued tributes for Her Majesty on their social media platforms.

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