Our Queen, our patron: the end of an era

As we mourn the passing of our great monarch and cherished patron, our hearts go out to King Charles III and the Royal Family.

Queen Elizabeth II honoured us with her patronage throughout her 70 year reign and her passing marks the end of an era for us all.

She showed great passion and support for our green and pleasant land, not least in the creation of the Queen’s Green Canopy to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee. Most memorably, Her Majesty hosted CPRE anniversary events at Windsor Great Park in 2001 and St. James’s Palace in 1976 and 2006.

Our Chair, Professor Patricia Broadfoot pledged that ‘CPRE will continue to strive for the future flourishing of the countryside that Queen Elizabeth loved so much. As a keen horsewoman in particular, she was a great champion of rural life.

All of us who love the country that she served so faithfully and for so long, will do our best to be worthy of that dedication, in fighting to protect the countryside she loved so much.

As he embarks on his reign, we send our sincere condolences to King Charles lll, for so long a resident of Gloucestershire and ardent champion of the rural life. We wish him well for his new role.’

CPRE chief executive Crispin Truman has sent CPRE’s condolences to the Royal Family and our support to our new King. He said: ‘Today we are mourning someone who has been so much part of the life of the nation that it is hard to imagine public life without her steadying hand and reassuring voice.

We should all pause to remember the huge contribution the Queen has made to the nation, to our countryside and to all the important causes she has supported over her many decades as monarch.

‘It is the end of an era for the country and for CPRE – and one we are truly grateful to have been a part of.’