As a young soldier I can recall, with great pride, sweeping my ceremonial sword to the right as our Guard slow-marched past the Queen during the Trooping of the Colour. And, yes, I am an unashamed monarchist and admire her Majesty’s dignity and dedication to our country over the past 60 years on the Throne. This week, she commemorated this remarkable achievement in typically modest style, visiting a town hall and an infant’s school. And, as you’d expect, the Queen also chose to re-dedicate herself to the service of her people for the rest of her life Only one monarch before her - Queen Victoria - managed 60 years on the throne. Like her grandmother, our Queen has seen this country change beyond recognition. She has ridden the tides of change with such grace and knowledge – and it shows. She is renowned for reading up on complex matters, and for her sound common sense. I envy the Prime Minister’s precious half hour with her once a week. It must be inspiring. The Queen’s finger is never far from the nation’s pulse. In her birthday message, she spoke of the “power of togetherness” and “the strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness”. These gentle and perceptive words would have resonated with many of her subjects. Our stable monarchy will help us through the worst, as it did through two world wars. And this strength comes, in part, from the fact the Queen is not elected. She is answerable to herself, and takes this awesome responsibility very seriously indeed. Compare our monarchy with the political contortions in the USA, France and other republics and I think you will agree how fortunate and well served we are. I began recalling my time as a soldier, because somehow it’s pertinent here. On Horseguards that day, I can tell you that, to a man, we would defend the Queen to the death had we needed to. There are few who inspire that kind of loyalty.