WHEN we were young we were taught the ‘three R’s. But for our late and gracious Queen she signed herself Elizabeth R, Regina. Many ‘R’s about our Queen, resonate so much with us today.

She was a Resolute Sovereign, totally dedicated to her duties in the service of her people. She was Religious, the message she gave us in her Christmas Day broadcasts. It was her Christian faith she shared with other traditions as we learnt at the Thanksgiving Service in Belfast.

Over her Reign she worked for Reconciliation in her discussions with Nelson Mandela in visits to countries like South Africa, other leaders in India and in shaking hands with the Irish republican politician Martin McGinness on her historic visit to Dublin and Cork. It will be the meeting when she crossed the road from a protestant church to the Catholic church which I pray north and south of Ireland will never forget.

For her family she was a Rock, always ready to listen, and be their Mother when they needed her wise advice. That advice for our new Prime Minister could not be more important, as our country grapples with so many issues raised by the events of the past few years, over which I am sure the Queen had to retain her diplomatic silence.

My own memories go back to chauffeuring my first MP Sir David Price and Lady Price to the Garden Party in Buckingham Palace.

I was not personally given an invitation, but there were several occasions when as secretaries we were privileged to watch the State Opening of Parliament while waiting in the Royal Gallery to watch Her Majesty process with her entourage to the Throne in the House of Lords. We could see her through the Central Lobby, and witness this glittering spectacle as the Queen read her government’s programme of legislation in the Queen’s Speech.

But of course my most poignant moment will be thinking of the Queen lying in State on the datafalque in Westminster Hall. It was often my usual walk through that monumental historic building, in the course of my daily work.

So many memories for us to cherish now of Regina.

ISABEL WARD