CIWM was saddened to hear the news yesterday that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had died. Along with the rest of the country, we enter a period of mourning as we remember our longest-serving monarch, a person that was much loved by so many people across the land.

The Institution has an obvious link to the Queen, having been granted a Royal Charter from her in 2002. The Charter recognises that the Institution has a solid record of achievement and is pre-eminent in its field. The award of the Charter has to be seen as demonstrably in the public interest – in effect, it has become “part of the fabric of the nation” and has a responsibility to work for the benefit of all inhabitants of the United Kingdom and overseas. These last elements are words that can justifiably be attributed to the Queen herself, reflecting her unwavering dedication to public service throughout her life. For our members, her long reign meant she was a part of the fabric of our everyday lives, and she always had the interests of the citizens of our country foremost in her mind.

It was a great honour to become a Chartered Institution. To have received it from the longest-serving monarch, who was held in such high regard by so many, only enhances that award. The Institution will continue to work hard to repay the faith shown in us, to work for the greater good, and to work for the people and communities that we live in, serve and represent.

Our thoughts are with the royal family at this time.

A detailed obituary detailing the life of Queen Elizabeth II can be found here.