Speaker leads House in sending condolences to King Charles III

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday handed over a resolution expressing its sympathy and profound condolences to His Majesty, King Charles III, the royal family, and the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez handed over to British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils, who was acknowledged in the Plenary Hall during budget deliberations, Resolution No. 12 on behalf of the Royal family during a simple ceremony at the Speaker’s Office of the House of Representatives.

“People around the world remember Queen Elizabeth II with deep respect and great affection for dedicating her life serving her nation. She never failed to show the importance of lasting values in a modern world through her service and commitment,” Romualdez said.

Resolution No. 12 was adopted last September 12, 2022 and originally as House Resolution (HR) No. 346 in consolidation with HR 347, 349 and 350 to extend lawmakers’ profound condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth.

The resolution was principally filed by Romualdez, House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre.

“The passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, a cherished sovereign, and a beneficent ruler, will be deeply felt by the Royal Family, the people throughout the United Kingdom, the realms, and the Commonwealth for whom she devoted the greatest part of her life to serve, and by countless people around world who witnessed and admired her reign as a great monarch who served her people well,” the resolution reads.

On September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch and head of state, passed away in her Scottish estate in Balmoral, at the age of 96.

Queen Elizabeth II is survived by her children, His Majesty, King Charles III, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

She was married to the late Prince Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey in London.

In June 2022, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her platinum jubilee, marking the longest reign in British history which spanned 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, the realms, and the Commonwealth.

Queen Elizabeth II was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in Mayfair, London, to Prince Albert, Duke of York , later known as King George VI, and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, known as the Queen Mother.

She assumed the responsibilities of the ruling monarch on February 6, 1952 when her father, King George VI, died, and she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953 in Westminster Abbey at the age of 25.

“During her tenure as head of state, great changes occurred such as the transition from the British empire to Commonwealth; post-war austerity measures; end of the Cold War; the United Kingdom’s entry into and eventual withdrawal from the European Union; and throughout these changes, Queen Elizabeth II embodied continuity and unity in the British Isles, guaranteed stability in moments of crisis, kept alive the value of tradition in a society of constant change and profound evolution, and provided inspiring leadership to her people,” the resolution said.

Through the honours system, Queen Elizabeth II supported and encouraged achievements by conferring titles upon people from all walks of life in recognition of their merit, service and bravery.

“Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II was an instantly recognizable figure to billions of people across the world who served as an inspiration to many generations of public servants in all parts of the globe – a gentle, yet solid rock of stability who exhibited grace and decency in performing her duty in times of crisis; and a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change,” the resolution said.