WHETHER monarchist or republican, I think most members of the public would have been sad to hear of the death of the Queen.

She was a good monarch, but there’s a certain irony in noting she came to the throne with Winston Churchill as her Prime Minister and went out with Liz Truss.

No comparison I think.

Personally, I’m looking towards the Coronation of the King next year with some apprehension.

After a winter of possible huge fuel costs which many won’t be able to pay, and regular strikes and discontent, together with the closing of (some say) hundreds of pubs, cafés and restaurants, the public may not be in the mood to accept a ceremony possibly costing millions of pounds.

We could feel the money should be far better spent on easing the hardship of those who have lost businesses and jobs.

Even if the Coronation’s tourists do find a pub or restaurant still open the chances are the vast increases in drink and menu prices will persuade them just to buy a sandwich and a takeaway coffee.

The King has yet to achieve the popularity as a ruler that his mother had.

It would be a pity if his reign started with Coronation Day becoming a damp squib.

Tony Baker
By email