Tuesday 9th April 2002

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was a woman of deep personal belief and trust in Almighty God. Her close association with the Anglican Church was well known and on frequent occasions she attended official Church events as well as worshipping regularly in London or in Scotland.

But it was in her private capacity that her deep religious convictions were most evident. Throughout her life those convictions influenced her attitudes and example. The strength of character so evident in all she did and stood for spoke so clearly of a faithful and devoted commitment to the Christian Gospel.

I recall one occasion when she received a delegation of Anglican leaders from across the world at Windsor. Her conversation clearly indicated a deep knowledge of international Church affairs and concerns. She spoke with such sincerity of those concerns and listened intently to the views of her visitors. As she turned away at the end of the visit she said to us quite simply “Gentlemen, Christ is alive and your work must be blessed.”

Throughout her public life her quiet confidence and genuine interest in people was a practical example of the strength she gave and received from close contact with others. Her down-to-earth approach radiated a sincere belief in the importance of the individual. Many have remarked on how she made those she met feel their concerns and their problems were important to her.

She had a keen interest in Northern Ireland and its problems and on one occasion she was heard to remark that she was praying for the people of the Province.

There is no doubt that she exerted a strong moral influence within the Royal Family. She believed in the importance of the family and in recent years the ups and downs of the relationships of that family must have weighed heavily on her heart.

She gave much of her time to charitable work and in that was particularly concerned with the homeless, young people and the needy. The pain of those in trouble became a burden she took to herself.

But it is for her strength of character in war and peace that we will remember most clearly. In an age of cynicism, materialism and growing apathy towards traditional personal and community moral principles Elizabeth the Queen Mother provided this nation with an example of quiet confidence in her Christian faith and belief. For her certain truths were eternal and few could doubt that when they observed her manner of living – and dying.

The above article was written for the Belfast Telegraph on 9th April 2002 - the day of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's funeral