Lancaster MP joins Commons tribute to the Queen

Saturday, 10 September 2022 18:20

Lancaster MP, Cat Smith, has joined the tributes to the Queen during a special sitting of the House of Commons.

Following the announcement of the death of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, both Houses of Parliament met at noon on Friday 9 September for tributes to The Queen. At the start of the sittings in both chambers, there was a minute's silence after prayers.

Both Houses continued to pay tribute on Saturday 10 September.

Watch her speech below:

Cat Smith said: ‘’The Queen, through the Duchy of Lancaster, has always had a strong tie to my constituency. To us, she’s known as the Duke of Lancaster, which can catch visitors out!

‘’Because of this strong tie, the Queen visited many times, (including) Lancaster Priory in 1999, and she also personally approved the grant of a charter which constituted Lancaster University back in 1964.

‘’She also visited Lancaster Castle three times, in 1969, 1977, and 2015, literally days after I became an MP! You are handed your envelope as a newly elected member, and I got an additional envelope which said you’ll be meeting the Queen in a few days’ time, do you have a hat?

‘’Utterly terrified, I found myself on the platform at Lancaster station as the Royal train rolled in. The heavens opened, and it poured with rain. Hundreds of my constituents were out in this pouring rain, lining the streets, in the hope of catching a glimpse of Her Majesty.

‘’To me, that really bought home the power that the Queen had to bring people together from all walks of life, and all generations. It was an important lesson for me.

‘’It’s clear that my constituents who had the good fortune to meet her now have memories that will last a lifetime. So, as the sun sets on this second Elizabethan age, we give thanks that our nation has had the good fortune to have the Queen serve us for 70 years.

‘’May she rest in peace and rise in glory. God save the King.’’