His Majesty The King's reply to addresses of condolence at Westminster Hall
Published
As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of history which surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital Parliamentary traditions to which Members of both Houses dedicate yourselves
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons:
I am deeply grateful for the Addresses of Condolence by the House of Lords and the House of Commons, which so touchingly encompass what our late Sovereign, my beloved mother The Queen, meant to us all. As Shakespeare says of the earlier Queen Elizabeth, she was “a pattern to all Princes living”.
As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of history which surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital Parliamentary traditions to which Members of both Houses dedicate yourselves, with such personal commitment for the betterment of us all.
Parliament is the living and breathing instrument of our democracy. That your traditions are ancient we see in the construction of this great Hall and the reminders of Mediaeval predecessors of the Office to which I have been called. And the tangible connections to my darling late mother we see all around us; from the Fountain in New Palace Yard which commemorates The late Queen’s Silver Jubilee to the Sundial in Old Palace Yard for the Golden Jubilee, the magnificent Stained Glass Window before me for the Diamond Jubilee and, so poignantly and yet to be formally unveiled, your most generous gift to Her late Majesty to mark the unprecedented Platinum Jubilee which we celebrated only three months ago, with such joyful hearts.
The great bell of Big Ben – one of the most powerful symbols of our nation throughout the world and housed within the Elizabeth Tower also named for my mother’s Diamond Jubilee – will mark the passage of The late Queen’s progress from Buckingham Palace to this Parliament on Wednesday.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons:
We gather today in remembrance of the remarkable span of The Queen’s dedicated service to her nations and peoples. While very young, Her late Majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the precious principles of constitutional government which lie at the heart of our nation. This vow she kept with unsurpassed devotion.
She set an example of selfless duty which, with God’s help and your counsels, I am resolved faithfully to follow.
Related content









The Speech from the Throne, delivered by His Majesty The King, to open the first session of the 45th Parliament of Canada
Honourable Senators, Members of the House of Commons, It is with a sense of deep pride and pleasure that my wife and I join you here today, as we witness Canadians coming...

A message from The King following the terrible incident in Liverpool
I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.

Further details of The King and Queen's forthcoming visit to Canada




State Visit by The President of the French Republic and Mrs Brigitte Macron
Remarks by His Majesty The King at the Presentation of Union Standards to The Household Cavalry, Windsor Castle
Even while you perpetually produce the highest standards of ceremonial magnificence, you remain at the same time a most impressive array of soldiers whose core role, and most...
A message from The King for the liberation 80 parade in Guernsey
My thoughts and prayers remain with you for your future happiness and the prosperity of your beloved Island.
A speech delivered by The King on the 80th Anniversary of VE Day
We unite to celebrate and remember with an unwavering and heartfelt gratitude, the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation who made that hard-fought victory possible.








A message from The King in recognition of community-based cancer support groups
The darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.

The King's message following the tragic events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver
Our hearts and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by such a desperate tragedy Both my wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful...

The King's message to Australian Veterans of the Second World War on Anzac Day 2025
The following message was sent to mark the 80th Anniversary year of the War’s end.
The King's message to New Zealand Veterans of the Second World War on Anzac Day 2025
The following message was sent to mark the 80th Anniversary year of the War’s end.
The King's message commemorating the 110th anniversary of Gallipoli
The King's message following the death of Pope Francis
His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith.
