The outpouring of gratitude and grief at the death of the Queen was an occasion of rare unity in Britain. The people who came to pay their respects to the Queen at various stages during the ten days of national mourning were remarkable for coming from every age and background and indeed religion. Yet it was in the burial service according to the rites of the Church that the Queen’s character as a Christian was most fully expressed. And in that service Catholics played a part: Cardinal Nichols offered one of the bidding prayers; the anthem at the Commendation was by James MacMillan; the ceremonies were presided over by the Duke of Norfolk. That was fitting, for Catholics too mourned the passing of the Queen, described by Cardinal Nichols as “a virtuous lady”.