"We are people of the Resurrection," said Bishop Humphrey Southern, Principal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon, as he proposed a loyal toast to the new King at the close of the first day of the PBS’ Annual Conference.

Nearly 100 members of the Society have gathered at Liverpool Hope University for the first conference of the Society since 2019.

The very sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II came during the early evening and the Society marked her passing with a minute’s silence and prayers.

“Queen Elizabeth was a true and loyal servant,” said the PBS’ Chairman Bradley Smith. “The late Sovereign loved the Book of Common Prayer. News of her passing came minutes after the first corporate act of worship of the Society's annual Conference. Evensong concluded with the petition, "That after this life she may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen".

King Charles III is the patron of the Prayer Book Society, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

God save the King.