REVEREND DR Iain Greenshields was among the speakers at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral on Monday morning.
The reverend delivered prayers during the service, reflecting on “Queen Elizabeth’s long life and reign” and “recalling with gratitude her gifts of wisdom, diligence and service”.
Greenshields is the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which the monarch is sworn to protect.
During his Accession last week, one of King Charles’s first acts was to affirm the independence of the Church.
Greenshields was with the Queen the week before she died. He spent the weekend at Balmoral, and ate dinner with her.
He said she seemed frail but in “really good spirits”, and was surprised by the sudden decline in her health that week.
Greenshields spoke at the thanksgiving service last week at St Giles’ Cathedral.
He told the congregation that over those days “tributes to her Majesty have poured in” but it was now “beginning to sink in that she is gone from us – ‘gone home’ to express her own words”.
Greenshields also spoke of the Queen’s “deep and lasting” links with the Church in Scotland.
He said: “She was the supreme governor of the Church of England, she worshipped in the Church of Scotland when north of the border, at Canongate Kirk and especially at Crathie Kirk during the summer months where she took her pew each Sunday morning, prevented latterly only by infirmity.
“She perceived little difficulty in belonging to two churches and appreciating the strengths of each.”
What did Greenshields say at the Queen's funeral on Monday?
Greenshields formed part of the pre-procession of church leaders including the Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, Very Rev Prof David Fergusson.
He told those gathered: "The tributes have been many and heartfelt and we have now held these final services and rites as the Queen is finally laid to rest.
“It is a time of reflection as we look at her life and examine our own before God.
“It is also a time to move on and we do so in hope and expectation.
“Expectation? The hope that seeds of faith are being planted that will allow people to seriously reflect on what life is all about and consider putting faith, duty and service at the heart of who they are.
“We will move on with the words of King Charles resonating with us – that 'love has to be at the heart of who we are as a people' and who can argue with that?”
What has Greenshields said since becoming Moderator in May?
During his time as Moderator, Greenshields has been outspoken about certain UK Government policies – accusing the Conservative administration of “dishonouring God” with its Rwanda asylum policy.
Greenshields said forcing asylum seekers to go to Rwanda on a one-way ticket was an “unspeakable disgrace and a stain on our nation”.
He has also spoken publicly about his views on drug decriminalisation, saying addiction should be treated as a public health issue.
The minister of St Margaret’s Community Church in Dunfermline, Fife, said people with addiction issues are often self-medicating and should be provided with residential rehabilitation instead of being imprisoned.
Greenshields said his views on drugs are based on years of supporting people through church outreach projects, as well his time as a prison chaplain and in psychiatric chaplaincy.
He was chaplain at the former Longriggend Young Offenders’ Institution in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, and nearby Shotts Prison for eight years.
He welcomed this year’s announcement from Scotland’s Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain QC, that people in personal possession of Class A drugs could receive a police warning rather than facing prosecution.
