The Queen issues poignant statement: 'No one can slow the passage of time'
, 95, has been forced to miss another event – her five-yearly visit to General Synod, the national assembly of the Church of England.
Prince Edward went in her place, armed with a poignant note from his mother to read to the newly elected Synod.'It is hard to believe that it is over 50 years since Prince Philip and I attended the very first meeting of the General Synod,' it read. 'Of course, in our richly diverse modern society, the wellbeing of the nation depends on the contribution of people of all faiths, and of none. But for people of faith, the last few years have been particularly hard, with unprecedented restrictions in accessing the comfort and reassurance of public worship.'
She went on to say she sympathised with the ‘weighty responsibilities’ and ‘difficult decisions’ the Synod would have in its next five-year term.