Lt-Governor 'honoured' to represent Bailiwick at Queen's funeral

Lt-Governor Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell and his wife Louise have been in London representing the Bailiwick at the Queen’s funeral, which took place yesterday.

Lt General Cripwell said it had been an amazing experience to be a part of.

‘It was just the most extraordinary event I have ever been to,’ he said.

‘It was extraordinarily moving. It was uplifting in many ways and a beautiful thing to be part of.’

The Lt-Governor was only appointed to the post earlier this year and Lt General Cripwell said when he took up the post, he had not imagined attending an event such as this.

‘It is an absolute honour to represent the Bailiwick,’ he said.

‘I am very proud to be here.’

The service included readings, sermons and hymns.

Lt General Cripwell said the service as a whole was really more than a sum of its parts.

The night before the service the Lt-Governor was invited to the King’s reception, where he had the chance to meet the new monarch.

‘I met His Majesty and expressed to him the best wishes of the Bailiwick,’ he said.

‘He thanked me and said how much he was looking forward to coming back to the Bailiwick soon.

‘He could not have been more welcoming.’

The new King has visited the Bailiwick four times –most recently in 2012 with his wife Camilla – and has visited all four Bailiwick islands over the years.

After the service the Lt-Governor attended the foreign secretary’s reception on behalf of the Bailiwick.