“PERHAPS each one of us should try to be a little bit more like Her Late Majesty the Queen.”

The words of Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson who described his role as Her Majesty’s Vice Chamberlain as a “privilege and honour” after her death yesterday at the age of 96.

Mr Tomlinson acted as Vice Chamberlain from July to September this year, meaning it was his role to write to the Queen every day the House of Commons was sitting and inform her of the day’s events.

In a statement to the Echo, Mr Tomlinson said: “As Her Majesty’s Vice Chamberlain, I had the privilege and honour of writing to Her Majesty every day that the House of Commons was sitting.

“It is called the Message and details the day’s proceedings in parliament. It ensured that the Queen was fully informed of the working of Her Government.

“I will remember her constant presence throughout my life, and indeed throughout the lives of my parents and grandparents.

“As people across Dorset, our country and indeed all corners of the globe enter into a period of mourning, may part of that be an appropriate commemoration and celebration of a life well lived, of a life of duty, service and sacrifice.

“And perhaps each one of us should try to be a little bit more like Her Late Majesty the Queen.

“God save the King.”