Special Moray Council meeting pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
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COUNCILLORS paid tribute to Her Majesty The Queen at a special meeting of Moray Council this morning.
A two-minute silence was observed prior to the meeting before Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, read out the Motion of Condolence.
Cllr Robertson then paid tribute to the Queen on behalf of the Moray Conservative group.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been the paragon of public service ever since her commitment to the British People at the age of 21," she said.
"She has been unwavering in her dedication to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
“Her life has been an example to all of us in this chamber who have committed to public service by serving the people of Moray with duty, integrity, selflessness, objectivity, accountability and stewardship, openness, honesty, leadership and respect.
"This loss, of course, we experience as our Queen but we shouldn’t forget that she was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to our Royal Family.
"Many of us have lost loved ones and know grief. We, however, have time to come to terms with it privately. We must recognise the burden of grief on our Royal Family and having to play this out so publicly takes enormous strength.”
Councillors from across the political divide joined Cllr Robertson in paying tribute to the Queen.
Cllr Graham Leadbitter, leader of the Moray SNP group, said that the loss was "keenly felt" by the people of Moray.
He added: "Her Majesty touched the lives of people in Moray in different ways and she had deep connections to the area.
"We know that she will be sorely missed by so many but the sense of loss is incomparable to those who were closest to her.
"Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time."
Cllr John Divers, of Moray Council's Labour group, commended Her Majesty for her dedication to the armed services.
He added: "The best way to honour her is by continuing the kind of dedicated service which she embodied."
Independent councillors Neil McLennan and James Allan also used the meeting to pay tribute.
Cllr McLennan said that it would have been "wrong" not to say a few words in honour of "Elizabeth the Great."
"Her Majesty is deserving of all the praise she has received," Cllr McLennan said.
"She led with class, grace, wisdom, decorum and is an example for us all.
"We will perhaps never see her like again."
Cllr Allan highlighted her "strong faith" and "tireless work for the nation", adding that she was the "perfect" role model.
The meeting concluded with Civic Leader Cllr John Cowe, who had been asked to write to His Majesty King Charles III with the council's condolences, addressing the council chambers with his own tribute.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a Monarch – she defined an era," he said.
"In a world of constant change, she was the constant presence, and a source of comfort and pride to generations, for generations.
“Queen Elizabeth was a stateswoman of unparalleled dignity in an ever-changing world and the sorrow we feel now reminds us of her words; ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’.
“Her Majesty was no stranger to Moray and I pledge to write to King Charles III on behalf of the people of Moray to convey the sincere condolences of us all to him and the family, and wish them comfort in the days and months ahead with their memories of a life well spent.”
