I have recently been reflecting on the past year and on the transition to a new monarch. The sad passing of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 marked the end of 70 years of service and was felt up and down the Country.
It does not seem long ago that I attended the Proclamation, announcing the reign of King Charles III, on the steps of Leicester’s Town Hall. Happily, there has been a smooth transition to the new reign, and the past year has shown that he has continued his mother’s legacy of duty, service and diligence to the Nation and Commonwealth.
In May, we celebrated the King’s Coronation. For many people- myself included- this was the first coronation within their lifetime and was an opportunity to celebrate and look forward to the future under the reign of a New Sovereign. I was incredibly honoured to travel down to London and attend the Coronation Service at
Westminster Abbey. It was remarkable to witness the various traditions associated with the coronation, and to be present at such a joyful occasion.
During the extended bank holiday weekend, people across the Country were able to come together to celebrate. Across Leicestershire, people held street parties, opened new buildings and gardens, and held concerts to commemorate this historic occasion.
A Coronation Concert was also held in Windsor, which a few lucky Leicestershire residents were able to attend!
The Coronation also saw the launch of the ‘Big Help Out’, encouraging people across the Country to volunteer their time with charities and other groups, as part of a nationwide initiative. Locally, we have such a strong volunteering culture, and those who spent their time volunteering were able to experience the satisfaction that comes from spending time for the benefit of our communities.
His Majesty has shown a continued interest in the environment and climate, and this commitment to ecology has continued with the granting of a special Coronation Tree to every County. We are yet to decide where the Leicestershire tree will be planted, but I am looking forward to seeing it thrive for the benefit of the environment and future generations.
His Majesty continues to celebrate exceptional businesses and volunteer groups through the renamed King’s Award for Voluntary Service, and King’s Award for Enterprise. The first King’s Award for Enterprise in Leicester was awarded in April to Blansons Ltd., and the winners of the very first King’s Award for Voluntary Service are due to be announced on the King’s birthday, 14th November. These awards celebrate those going above and beyond for our communities and acknowledge the contribution volunteers across the groups make to their success. I am looking forward to giving out many of these awards to the exceptional organisations across our City and County in the years to come.
Based on his first year as Sovereign, we can be sure that as we move into 2024, we will continue to see His Majesty devote his service to people across the Nation.
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