Prince Charles at first royal engagement since getting Covid

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The Prince of Wales formally presented ‘Letters Patent’ on behalf of the Queen at a council meeting to mark Southend-on-Sea officially becoming Britain’s 52nd city. The honour was bestowed by the Queen following the fatal stabbing of MP Sir David Amess in October last year.

Sir David had campaigned for Southend-on-Sea to be granted city status for decades following his election in 1997.

The Conservative MP for Southend West was stabbed to death during a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in nearby Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Prince Charles called the murder of Sir David an “attack on democracy” and alluded to the current conflict in Ukraine.

He said: “We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way.”

The prince recalled a visit to Westcliff-on-sea in 2014 when he and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall met Sir David.

He said: “During that visit we recall our conversation with Sir David Amess. I knew him of course as a renowned and respected parliamentarian and effective campaigner on many national and local issues. Among them was his passionate determination to secure city status for Southend.

“Today we mark the culmination of that dedicated campaign.”

He added: “How we all wish we could celebrate the occasion without the shadow of the dreadful event that took the life of such a devoted public servant.”

He continued: “I am only too aware that today’s ceremony cannot possibly replace the agonising loss felt by Sir David’s widow, Lady (Julia) Amess, and their five children, but I do hope it will offer at least some small comfort in such unbearable sorrow.”

He said he hoped the new city would “continue from strength to strength, honouring the memory and legacy of Sir David Amess – one of its greatest ambassadors – and inspired always by the example of his dedication to the community he loved”.

Days after Sir David’s death, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced: “Her Majesty has agreed that Southend will be accorded the city status it so clearly deserves.”

The 69-year-old was posthumously named the first freeman of the new city in the ceremony on Tuesday which was attended by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.

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Lady Julia Amess accepted the honour on behalf of her late husband.

Charles formally presented the legal document which entitles the change of status, the Letters Patent, to Southend’s mayor Margaret Borton at a council meeting on behalf of the Queen, who resumed work today after contracting COVID-19 just over a week ago.

Prince Charles said on Tuesday that the Queen is “a lot better now” following her bout of Covid as she resumed meetings virtually.

The monarch tested positive for Covid on February 20 with Buckingham Palace saying she was experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms”.

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