MODERATOR’S TRIBUTE TO QUEEN

Lord Wallace, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has paid tribute to the Queen’s “faithful service to country and Commonwealth”.

“Today, let us give thanks to God for her unstinting commitment to our service, and for the faith which has fortified her during her reign,” he said.

Lord Wallace’s full message, released in February to mark the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s reign, reads: “Today, we mark the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne and give thanks for 70 years of faithful service to country and Commonwealth. But let us recall too, that for the Queen, this is also the anniversary of the death of her dear father, King George. And poignantly, this is the first time she has commemorated this significant date since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, whose steadfast support was so important to her.

“These 70 years have seen immense change in the country and the world. Throughout that time the Queen has been a constant in our lives; indeed, for many of us, the only monarch we have known.

“She is known to have a genuine and lasting affection for Scotland, and hopefully, during the Jubilee year, the people of Scotland will be able to celebrate with her. “Today, let us give thanks to God for her unstinting commitment to our service, and for the faith which has fortified her during her reign.

“On her 21st birthday, the then Princess Elizabeth said: ‘I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service’.

“Gladly, it has been a long life and surely no vow has been more dutifully honoured.”