It is rare that something happens where we are all sharing a moment of history together.
The Coronation of King Charles, 70 years on from the last Coronation, was one of those moments. It was a fantastic day and weekend of events for people in Jedburgh, the Borders, Scotland and all of our United Kingdom.
The Coronation of King Charles marked the beginning of an exciting new era that I hope will be defined by many years of prosperity and progress. It is a time for all of us to come together and celebrate the continuity, stability, and unity that our monarchy represents.
I respect that everyone holds their own personal views about the monarchy. We do not all agree. But, for me, it is a precious symbol of the shared history and values that we hold dear. It is a vital part of our national identity and what makes us Scottish and British. In my view, the institution, including all those who dedicate their lives to upholding what is stands for, deserves our respect and admiration.
Already, King Charles has displayed the same wonderful traits as his mother, the late Queen, by committing his whole life to serving our country. His Majesty has shown impeccable devotion to his duties and an unwavering commitment to championing the values of our nation, for instance in his prescient work to protect our natural environment and the many workers and businesses he gave a helping hand to through the Prince's Trust.
So, no matter how you feel about the monarchy, I hope you took the chance to celebrate the Coronation with your friends, family, neighbours or anyone in the local community. That is what the monarchy is all about - bringing people together as one United Kingdom.
