With a blistering record hot summer, almost total lack of rain, energy prices at unimaginable levels, could we really have foreseen how other parts of life would change?

Momentously, the passing of her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and the proclamation of King Charles III.

Whether you’re a supporter of the royals or not, one cannot admire enough the dedication the Queen gave to her country and the world throughout her 70 year reign. And that unquestionably is going to be replicated by the King.

Admittedly some may not agree. But in my view, the principle of how the monarchy exists alongside an elected government, evidences democracy and the free world.

I, as hundreds of thousands did, visited the floral tributes on my way back from a meeting in Green Park. The most fitting I found, were those heaped on the memorial to WWII RAF Bomber Command. It took years to gain approval to be built as it was considered controversial. But it was unveiled by the Queen in her Diamond Jubilee year.

Likewise, I really do think that we’re going to see a massive post covid bounce in tourism in the UK. Which I firmly believe will take off like a skyrocket. The pomp and pageantry that so many love and adore (and to be fair many don’t), will bring enormous amounts of overseas revenue to our shores.
 
Does this make me think that all is right in the world? No! But I consider myself both an optimist and a realist, and can see an upside here.
 
Life is full of challenges. What’s certain, is to always expect the unexpected. So many of us knew that the Queen wouldn’t live forever, but hoped that she might as she was all that we’d known.
 
The Queen’s passing and the subsequent arrangements have been planned for decades. And with immense detail.
 
Planning is critical, if we want to stand half a chance of success.
 
Remember that life is not a rehearsal, and we only get one crack at it. And although the money is important, it’s what we do with it that really counts.