They come and go…
I am sure that when the Queen first heard about a film being made about her, surrounding the events at the time of the death of Diana, she must have been rather apprehensive. Instead it has made her even more popular - and set off a fashion for Barbour jackets in Manhattan!
She is with us today at the State Opening. Despite all the difficulties which have beset her family, she has been a totally exemplary Head of State. As one surveys the inadequacies and vanities of many heads of state in republics we can give thanks that we have nothing like that. She has seen prime ministers and presidents come and go over five decades; she has provided astonishing continuity.
Let us hope that there will be many more occasions when she presides over the opening of Parliament. Not for her the lecture circuit, which the current incumbent of 10 Downing Street will be doing from next year.