Former New Zealand journalist Simon Walker was the Queen’s communications secretary for the Golden Jubilee and says she was a remarkable person to work for.
Queen Elizabeth II riding in the Gold State coach on 4 June 2002 during her Golden Jubilee celebrations, the was built for King George III in 1762 and had only been used by the Queen on two other occasions – for her Coronation and her Silver Jubilee.
Photo: AFP / Pool
He was heading to an evening function when he heard the news and told RNZ’s Lisa Owen it was the end of an era.
Walker said during the Golden Jubilee celebrating her 50 years on the throne it was evident that although she was a conservative person who recognised her historic role she was also open to change and ready to modernise.
“She was very open to to change, and that was partly because she felt a real responsibility to the whole community.
“I mean, she was very emphatic about diversity when I worked on the Golden Jubilee. It was made absolutely clear that it had to appeal to young people as well as old people. It had to appeal to all ethnicities, all religious groups.”
Although that was not possible, the Queen wanted the celebration to have the broadest appeal possible, he said.
The Queen was always willing to look to the future and change things although she did not rush into it, he said.
Walker said he enjoyed working for the Golden Jubilee which was really like a party.
“But the Queen, even when there were difficulties, one of the remarkable things about her was that she would sometimes be the only calm person in the room.”
The Queen would say it reminded her of some event that happened in the distant past which “gave a sense of balance to what we were all doing”, Walker said.
“She was an extraordinary figure to work for and really quite inspiring in the sense of duty, obligation and kind of commitment that that she always had.”
The Queen would be much missed because she had the ability to unite and pull everyone together, he said.
“She had a real finger on the pulse and I think related to people generally, had a very good sense of public opinion and you know, in that sense was a remarkable person to work for.”
The Queen came to the throne when Winston Churchill was prime minister and has died under her 15th British prime minister, he said.
“You know in the time that she’s been on the British throne, there have been 15 British prime ministers, 15 American presidents, and yet there’s one figure drawing, drawing Britain, but also importantly drawing the Commonwealth together, because she attached huge importance to the Commonwealth and to countries like New Zealand that she was so fond of.”
That was part of the hugely positive heritage she has left behind, he said.
King Charles III would have “very big boots to fill”, but “he’s his own man”, Walker said.
He is 74 but was still active and had had a good deal of time to think about what he was going to do as King, he said.
“He’s thought about clearly about what he’s going to be like and you know, this, this country and indeed the whole Commonwealth is going to be very sad for a period and and … that’s right and proper.”
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