Jamaican ex-chaplain to Queen pays tribute to ‘irreplaceable’ monarch

A former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, Jamaica-born Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin, paid tribute to Her Majesty following the announcement of her passing.

Rose described the longest-serving monarch in British history as “the mother of our nation”.

“Our national family mourns with her family, for she is irreplaceable,” the bishop lamented.

“And in the grief of her passing, may we comfort one another and trust in God’s peace that surpasses all understanding. Let us, like her, put our hands into the hands of God.”

The bishop also made reference to the cordial relationship she had with the monarch and The Queen’s extraordinary ability to put visitors at ease.

Rose recalled a visit to Windsor Castle for an overnight stay during which The Queen showed her into the library, where she viewed paperwork relating to the disestablishment of the Church of England in Jamaica as the country’s official church.

“She has been a confidante and adviser to over a dozen British prime ministers and many other heads of state. She had been the supreme head of the Church of England.

“She was also a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmother, beloved by her nearest and dearest. May she rest in peace and rise in glory,” Rose concluded.

Prior to her installation as the Bishop of Dover in November 2019, the Montego Bay-born Hudson-Wilkin served as chaplain to Queen Elizabeth.

– Dave Rodney