EDNA Welthorpe finishes her letter vilifying Andrew Marr's programme on the Queen with a question: I wonder what your readers thought of the programme?

Well, Mrs Welthorpe, here's somebody who thought that it was well-thought-out, well-presented and mirrored the views of many thousands of our Her Majesty's loyal and loving subjects.

I realise that this country has long been getting more anti-royalist and leaning towards the example of the United States, which I find most disturbing and distasteful. Andrew Marr always gives a good performance and this was no exception.

To people of Mrs Welthorpe's leanings, it may have sounded undemocratic to praise the Queen's long and faithful service to her much-loved country and its people; but she should realise that when we eventually lose her, that loss will be considered by many to be the end of an era and no cause for rejoicing.

She has proved herself loyal to her country and to her family; as far as Diana was concerned, this was a tragedy and the Queen behaved as well as she could, given the breakdown of the marriage of her son and the many accusations and allegations bandied about at the time.

Living a life that allows no real privacy must be hell on earth at times of family troubles, but the Queen is well used to presenting a brave face to the world.

She supports her family, no matter what their failings and unwise behaviour, and has never tried to glamorize herself - what you see is what you get: a real woman, devoted to her position and the vows given at her Coronation and determined to see the job through to the end. How many others could do the same? I hope she does reign over us for many years to come.

Heather Causnett,

Escrick Park Gardens,

Escrick,

York.

Updated: 09:04 Tuesday, April 25, 2006