Queen Elizabeth II was a truly remarkable individual who completely dedicated her life to serving us. Her devotion was epitomised in the famous speech in Cape Town in South Africa, where she said,
'I declare before you that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service, and the service of our great imperial family, to which we all belong.'
She achieved that, and I, like you, am enormously proud that Elizabeth II was our Queen. I am sure so many of you are glad that the Queen saw in her Platinum Jubilee this year, with celebrations in South Wales East and beyond being fit for a Queen who's done such an incredible amount for our country over these years. It wasn't just her sense of duty, stabilising influence and wise counsel that defined her; her wit, humour and caring nature also came to personify her reign.
And what an exceptional role model she was to women and girls—to me and to girls all over the world—and a strong role model for all of us. It has been an honour to have met the Queen on multiple occasions. I feel tremendously lucky and I will cherish it forever, remembering her wise words to me and that twinkle in her eye.
It was an honour to say one final goodbye to our Late Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall. The atmosphere was indescribable, something I will never forget. But one thing that was overwhelming, was the love and grief pouring in from citizens of the UK.
God bless the Queen. May she now join her husband, rest in peace and rise in glory. My thoughts are now with His Majesty the King and the royal family as they mourn the loss of their dear mother and grandmother.
