We stand with the entire Nation in sharing our grief and express our condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family on the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II yesterday.
Her Majesty’s links with the Armed Forces were special and this has been highlighted in official statements made by the Chief of Defence Staff and Defence Secretary below.
The Royal Family watch the Flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in June 2022. MOD Crown Copyright 2022.
“On behalf of the Armed Forces, I would like to express our condolences to His Majesty the King, and to the Royal Family. The relationship between the Queen and the Armed Forces was deeply personal. Through her own service in the Second World War, and as the wife, mother and grandmother of service personnel, the Queen understood better than the most the burdens and glory of life in a uniform.
In the coming days, our sailors, soldiers and aviators must perform their final duty to a much-loved sovereign. We do so with admiration and gratitude. For those of us who have the privilege to now wear the King’s uniform, there remains no greater honour than to serve our Crown and Country.”
Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
“The sad passing of Her Majesty the Queen will be felt by every member of her Armed Forces. Her Majesty was more than the Commander-in-Chief, she was their guardian. She was deeply involved in the championing of their welfare and supporting them before, during and after operations. She dedicated her life to serving her Nation.
The motto of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is “Serve to Lead”. The Queen’s lifetime was a living embodiment of that.
Defence Secretary Mr Ben Wallace.
