Tributes to King Charles III
Minutes:
Ann Cable MBE, Deputy Lieutenant
On May 6th, 2023, His Majesty King Charles III became the oldest British king to be crowned, however, that has meant he’s been well-prepared for the role of Sovereign having been heir to the throne for some seventy years.
Over these last seven decades, our world has changed significantly with scientific and technological advances and changes in culture. We have learnt much about our new monarch from those years – his childhood was different; he was the first heir apparent to attend school and later University and he served in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. As Prince of Wales, he set up many charitable initiatives benefitting thousands of lives, focused on the needs of young people, education, and the arts as well as such matters as sustainability and the environment. Indeed, well known for championing the importance of protecting our planet, His Majesty stated that climate change has become the great threat of our times.
King Charles talks of how much he has learnt from the people he has met. The diversity of the Commonwealth inspires him, and he sees its great potential as a force for good, urging its peoples to unite and be bold. A man of deep faith, he has also reflected that British society had now evolved into “one of many cultures and many faiths” but with shared values, that diversity making us stronger.
His Majesty brings a change of style, but he has vowed to carry on his mother’s lifelong service albeit with his own modernising stamp. He has clearly demonstrated this in the arrangements for the coronation, by the fact that over 800 community champions were invited to be in the congregation and that the days following had a community bias towards sharing, volunteering, caring for one another.
We are reminded again of the value of service to others, of the steadfast service of her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by His Majesty King Charles’ pledge to continue that lifelong service. From fighting for the environment and the well-being of people here and across the Commonwealth, King Charles promises to lead as his mother did saying, “wherever you may live in the United Kingdom or in the realms and territories across the world and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect, and love as I have throughout my life.”
With that reassurance of constancy, concern for the environment and the well-being of people, of serving and valuing service to the community, whether we be public servants or simply good neighbours, we should take inspiration and hope, and all play our part in this new Carolean era.
We wish King Charles III all strength, wisdom, and grace in his reign. God Save The King!
Cllr Suna Hurman, Mayor of Enfield
The coronation of a new monarch is a unique moment for our country and indeed our borough. We pay tribute to and honour the ... view the full minutes text for item 8