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Death of Queen Elizabeth Andy Burnham signs book of condolence in Manchester Cathedral; ENGLAND: Manchester: Manchester Cathedral: INT Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester) interview SOT - Period of national mourning is important for two reasons, first as mark of respect for truly exceptional life (Queen Elizabeth ll) and Royal family but also as moment of true reflection on what Queen taught us - In world that is ever changing and volatile she provided constancy and consistency for British people - qualities we all should value more - She defined national character - that mix of stoicism and sense of humour - Stern and serious but warm and generous at same time - For people of this region (Manchester) those qualities were brought here at important moments - in 1996 she was on the ground in this city within days when terrorism struck at its heart - in 2017 again more devastatingly - she visited Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and speaking to young victims, families staff it is hard to put into words the lift her visit gave them and positively in 2002 when city held Commonwealth Games it coincided with Queen's Golden Jubilee and that is a memory that will live long... - I was fortunate to share private moments - I remember vividly Remembrance Sunday 2008 when I had responsibility of greeting Queen outside Foreign Office and escorting her through to Cenotaph, quickly roles reversed - the monarch took pity and looked after the quivering wreck she found before her - Remember when she opened Leigh Sports village - formal morning went into a relaxed afternoon with long lunch and loud laughs - And at a private audience at Sandringham where I found Queen surrounded by a flask, some boxes of Tupperware and unfinished jigsaw, the kind of scene you would have found in any caravan or British holiday home - In life I try to speak as I find and in Queen Elizabeth ll I found somebody of good sense, quiet duty, calm judgement, sharp humour but great s...