“And the affection which the Queen had for Scotland, and Scotland for the Queen, cannot be understated.” Sir Geoffrey Donaldson, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, praised the late Queen’s impact on peace in Northern Ireland. Sir Jeffrey said: “Your Majesty, in an island torn by conflict and division, you were a bridge-builder, reaching out to those on opposite sides of the divide, and your work of reconciliation helped to heal wounds and encourage change. “Your historic visit to the Republic of Ireland was a cathartic moment in British-Irish relations. The way you conducted yourself, the language you used and the message you brought helped lay to rest many of the ghosts of our shared history that have cast their shadows in relations on these islands for centuries.’ Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the Commons, said: “During her reign she has seen unprecedented social, cultural, technological change, through all of which she has been the most conscientious and obedient monarch. “But while she understood the inescapable nature of the duty, which at times must have weighed heavily upon her, she was also glad to fulfill it, for she was the most devoted of monarchs.” There were also shared moments of warmth and humor. Harriet Harman, the former acting Labor leader, has described the days after she was sacked as a Cabinet minister. “My calendar was empty and my phone stopped ringing, [but] My office was surprised when it received a call from the Palace,” Ms Harman said. “Nobody else wanted anything to do with me, but the Queen wanted to see me. I was invited to tea with the Queen, to thank me for my service as Foreign Secretary. “My point is that the relationship between the Queen and our Parliament, and the Queen and our Government, has never been just on paper, but has always been active and always encouraging.”
