The next debate therefore is the Welsh Conservatives debate on the seventieth anniversary of the accession, and I call on Darren Millar to move the motion. 

Motion NDM7904 Darren Millar

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Extends its warmest congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

Motion moved.

Diolch, Llywydd. I'm delighted to move the motion on the order paper this afternoon to propose that the Senedd should extend its warmest congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of the seventieth anniversary of her accession to the throne, which, of course, we celebrate this weekend. She is a record-breaking monarch; she is the longest reigning monarch in British history. It's absolutely right that all of her Parliaments should recognise this fact and ensure that action is taken to record their thanks and congratulations in their order papers.

It is of note, however, that the Welsh Government chose not to table either a statement or a debate on this important milestone in Her Majesty's reign. They did at the sixtieth, for the Diamond Jubilee. The then First Minister, Carwyn Jones, tabled a Government debate and that was very welcome indeed, but, unfortunately, no such thing has happened this time around, which is why we've used our opposition time, as the Welsh Conservatives—loyal opposition for Her Majesty here in this Parliament. 

Now, of course, during the 70 years that Her Majesty has been on the throne, most of that time she was supported by Prince Philip, her consort, the Duke of Edinburgh and, indeed, the Earl of Merioneth, as we must also remind everybody whenever his name pops up in conversation. He, of course, was her 'strength and stay', and his death last year was a great loss not only to Her Majesty the Queen, but also to the nation as a whole.

Over the past seven decades, the Queen has dedicated herself to selfless service to Wales, the UK and the whole of the Commonwealth. She has worked with 14 Prime Ministers—it's pretty remarkable, isn't it—and, of course, four Welsh First Ministers. But she has always risen above the political fray; she's been a steadfast anchor for the nation in times of crisis and in times of trouble, including during this awful period that we've all had to endure with the recent coronavirus pandemic.

Her Majesty is Britain's greatest diplomat and ambassador, representing Welsh and British interests overseas on hundreds of visits and receiving presidents, prime ministers and heads of state from other nations here in the UK. It's very difficult, I think, to underestimate the importance of these visits in fostering international relationships, in helping to overcome divisions and in cementing the strong relationships that Britain enjoys with our allies.

It's no wonder, therefore, that Her Majesty the Queen is greatly admired, not just here in Wales, where the popularity of Her Majesty the Queen is higher than in other UK nations, but across the globe. That admiration has been demonstrated in many ways by people across the world, and I'm reminded of that admiration that people have for Her Majesty the Queen every time I speak to my precious mum, because, you know what, when my mother was born in Dublin in 1952, the year in which Her Majesty the Queen ascended to the throne, her mum and dad—my grandparents—decided to call her Elizabeth after Her Majesty the Queen.

So, the Platinum Jubilee provides an opportunity for all of us to be able to celebrate seven decades of Her Majesty's service to us here in Wales. Of course, to mark the Platinum Jubilee, Her Majesty and the Prince of Wales have launched the Queen's Green Canopy initiative to invite people across the UK to plant a tree, because that will have, of course, a lasting and positive impact on the environment and help to address climate change. Yes, the Queen was planting trees and advocating planting trees a long time before Lee Waters ever did in this Chamber. [Laughter.] She should be on every advert for the tree-planting campaign of this Welsh Government.

And not only that, but special Platinum Jubilee medals will also be awarded to front-line police officers, firefighters, emergency services personnel, prison officers and our precious armed forces—a symbol of gratitude on behalf of the nation for the work that they do. Then there'll be the bank holiday weekend—an extended bank holiday weekend—in June, the focal point for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. There'll be a garden party at my house, if you want to come along.

Wales holds a very special place in Her Majesty's heart, not just because of her affection—her great affection—for Pembrokeshire corgis, but because she literally carries a piece of Wales everywhere she goes in the form of a Welsh gold wedding ring. Her dedication to Wales has been shown in so many other ways. She's had frequent visits here over the years. Her support and patronage of Welsh organisations, events, charitable organisations, including Cardiff Royal Infirmary, the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral, the Football Association of Wales, the Welsh Rugby Union, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society—I could go on and on and on and on. But, of course, for us as Members of this Senedd, we should also remind ourselves today of Her Majesty's unwavering support for this institution—the Senedd. She has attended every single opening of the Senedd and National Assembly for Wales, as it was previously known, including of course her recent attendance just a few months ago, at our official opening.

There are two interests in particular that the Queen and I share. The first is a steadfast support for our armed forces and veterans. Her Majesty, along with other members of the royal family, has a long and deep association with the military, including the military here in Wales. She holds the position of Colonel-in-Chief for both the Royal Welsh and the Welsh Guards.

And the second thing that I have in common with Her Majesty the Queen is a strong Christian faith. Those of you who watch virtual Senedd proceedings will have seen that in my office there are two photographs of Her Majesty the Queen. They are there as a reminder to me, and anybody who visits my office, of the example of public service, which is exemplary, that the Queen has set for me and every Member of the Senedd and every other elected representative. It's an example that all of us should aspire to. One of the photographs shows Her Majesty the Queen at one of the official openings of the Senedd—the one that I was first able to attend as a Member of the Senedd, back in 2007—and the other shows Her Majesty following one of the Queen's Christmas Day broadcasts. This one, for me, is particularly important because it emphasises Her Majesty's role as defender of the faith—a title that she has certainly, in my opinion, lived up to, because there is no doubt that Her Majesty's strong Christian faith has been central to her life, and we see many glimpses of this in her Christmas broadcasts. In 2000, the Queen said this:

'For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example.'

Throughout her long reign, it has been underpinned by a deeply rooted, personal Christian faith. In 2011, she said this in her Christmas broadcast:

'Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves—from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person—neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are)—but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.'

Amazing words. The Queen has also been at the forefront of promoting dialogue and understanding between different faiths throughout her reign. In 2014, in her Christmas broadcast, she said this:

'the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role-model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ's example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none.'

The Queen is an amazing example. She has robustly defended her Christian faith while promoting tolerance and understanding of others, and she lives by the moral code that she preaches. So, in closing, I want to say this. For her 70 years on the throne, for her service to Wales, the UK and the Commonwealth, and for her role as defender of the faith, I say this: God save the Queen, long live the Queen, and congratulations, Your Majesty.

On behalf of the people and communities of Islwyn, I want to place on record our appreciation of the loyal and dedicated public servant that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been and remains today. Nobody, irrespective of whatever position taken on the monarchy, would not have been seriously moved, as was I, by the sight last year of Her Majesty sat alone in the chapel at Windsor at the funeral of her husband. It was yet a further symbol, if one were needed, of this iconic woman who has truly lived up to her oath at her coronation to serve her people.

As the Labour representative on the Senedd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, I have also seen first-hand and heard for myself how admired and respected the Queen is across the Commonwealth and how she strengthens, personally, our international reputation. There is no doubt that there are indeed very strong and differing views on the institution of monarchy across this Chamber, as there are in Islwyn and as there are across the Commonwealth, and how she strengthens that personal reputation for us, and we saw that recently when Barbados became a republic, and we note the differing Scandinavian models, but this debate, though, is not the time or the place.

So, however, in the genuine spirit within which I feel this debate has been laid, I want to say 'thank you' to our Queen. Whatever our perspective on the need or otherwise for a modern monarchy, let us all conjoin around the fact that there are and there remains something quite profound and stabilising that she has been our Queen throughout the most difficult times for British history and that she has reigned throughout the lives of every single Member of this Senedd. Through the changing decades and times, Queen Elizabeth II has been a constant star in an ever-changing and often perplexing world. Let the Queen's dedication to public service be her crown in perpetuity and her commitment to public duty be an inspiration to us all.

And to conclude, Llywydd, when the sixth Senedd was formally opened, I enjoyed listening to Her Majesty and I was struck by her truly genuine laughter at my recounting a tale of Alun Davies, which she recalled. And as a proud feminist, there is something strong to admire in this woman, a real strength, and real substance, where other so-called leading figures dissolve in front of our eyes, for she has been a leading figure, our representative and our Queen, and she has been the leading lady on that world stage for the last seven decades. We have been fortunate and I also wish Her Majesty many more years to reign over us. God bless you, Your Majesty, and thank you.

It gives me great pleasure to add my voice today to the tributes to Her Majesty the Queen to mark the seventieth anniversary of her accession to the throne. A Platinum Jubilee is a unique event in British history, and we should take time to reflect on the Queen's long reign and how things have changed. Most of us in this Chamber weren't even around in 1952; I certainly wasn't, and there's no denying that the world was a much different place back then. Winston Churchill was Prime Minister, a gallon of petrol cost 22p in today's money, tea rationing came to an end, and Agatha Christie's play The Mousetrap opened in the west end, which like Her Majesty is still going strong today, I'm glad to say.

In 1952, both my parents had been born respectively in India and also in Pakistan. They were both the children of my paternal grandfather being in the Indian air force and my maternal grandfather being in the Pakistani air force, and their love, dedication and admiration for the Queen has certainly trickled down to even myself. Then, post partition in 1952, both my parents were schoolchildren, as I mentioned, but one of the greatest achievements of the Queen's reign has been the transformation of the empire to the Commonwealth.

Today, the Commonwealth is made of 53 independent countries that work together to pursue common goals that promote development, democracy and peace. With a combined population of 2.4 billion, the Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. It encompasses Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe and the Pacific. Its strength lies in its shared values, diversity and commitment to racial equality. This has at times caused stresses in the organisation, with countries leaving or having been expelled, however, today, the Commonwealth remains united as a force for promoting human rights, racial equality and democracy in the world.

The Queen once said, and I quote:

'It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult.'

And:

'In remembering the appalling suffering of war on both sides, we recognise how precious is the peace we have built'.

The success of the Commonwealth is in large part due to the Queen, who as head is widely loved, admired and respected by all. We should not be surprised by this. On her twenty-first birthday in 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth said:

'I declare before you all 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.'

And she certainly has delivered on that promise. For 70 years, the Queen has served this country and the Commonwealth with dedication and loyalty. She has been and remains a single fixed point in a fast-changing world, as 'constant as the northern star', as Shakespeare could have put it. The Queen's accession 70 years ago was the time of death of her beloved father and, last year, she lost her husband, Prince Philip, who was by her side for the whole of her reign, supporting and encouraging her all the way. Some years ago, the Queen did say,

'The world is not the most pleasant place. Eventually your parents leave you and nobody is going to go out of their way to protect you unconditionally. You need to learn to stand up for yourself and what you believe'.

Over the last 70 years, with Prince Philip's advice and guidance, the Queen has demonstrated the monarchy's ability to adapt to modern times. She is the most widely travelled head of state this country's ever had. At the time of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, the monarch was a remote figure seen rarely by her people. Today, the Queen has estimated to have met 4 million people in person. As my esteemed colleague Darren Millar did state, she has met over 14 UK Prime Ministers, exercising her statutory duties to be consulted, to encourage and to warn through her regular audiences, giving them the benefit of her unmatched experience. She has met every President of the United States from Truman to Biden, except one. In 70 years, she hasn't put a foot wrong, never complaining and never explaining. She remains at the heart of the nation, doing her duty and serving her country, and, Presiding Officer, I hope and pray that she continues to do so for many more years to come. Thank you.

I welcome this debate today, called by Darren Millar, to mark the seventieth anniversary of the accession. It's a simple one-line motion, and sometimes the simplest are the most effective. The motion reads:

'To propose that the Senedd:'— our Senedd—

'Extends its warmest congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne.'

And I would suggest, respectfully, that this is not an occasion to debate the merits or otherwise of the monarchy or to posit alternatives, or for fashionable, modern cynicism of all institutions in public life. Those are for another time and another place. Today's debate is simply to note the remarkable service of an individual who, for seventy years, has put her individual role and a mission of public service above all else, and, indeed, her sacrifice much else to that singular mission of being the constitutional head of the United Kingdom. That, of itself, by itself, is worthy of our noting.

We all here have accepted a role in the glare of public life, but we volunteered. In doing so, we made a conscious choice, knowing that if it became too much for ourselves or our families, we could also make the choice, difficult as it may be, to step back out of the limelight and pursue a different path—that is, if the electorate haven't made that choice for us in the meantime. But, I think what most people would accept is that for a young Princess Elizabeth of York, born into the royal family, there was subsequently little choice, faced with what she would have perceived as a duty—a duty to serve her country often in the most difficult times imaginable for that country, and often difficult for her personally and very publicly as a daughter, a mother and so so.

It's not difficult to see why the respect from the wider public has grown, because of some of the characteristics she has come to demonstrate at the most difficult of times. These characteristics are not unique to her, and, in her quiet private moments, she might also acknowledge that, like all of us, she may have fallen short now and then in small ways. But they are also some of the characteristics we would like to see in ourselves more consistently, and in all our public leaders too, especially those in the highest offices of state. And I'll mention two of those characteristics in particular, because there's merit in doing so as we look back on 70 years of Queen Elizabeth's role as head of state, and we also look now to current tempestuous times in public life. Those two characteristics are selflessness and the focus on service to others. And also leadership by example, and setting the standards in public life that really do matter to our democracy and our respect for the way we're governed and for who governs us. 

When we look to our national figures in public life at any moment in time, at any point in history, we realise that even the best of them, the best of us, have feet of clay. But we expect—in fact, we demand—that to have respect from the public, that they try and live up to these ideals of selflessness and leadership by example. The very privilege of high position brings with it the duty to respect that position, not to abuse that position, and to treat the public with respect too. And if they fail to maintain these characteristics consistently, or fail to accept when they've stumbled and fallen short, or, worse, they try to fool the public, then the public will rightly be unforgiving; they are never fools. And we've seen this throughout history and we'll no doubt see it again.

So, I simply close by noting that Queen Elizabeth II has served seven long decades in the most prominent position in public life in the UK, with the attention of not just the public on this little island off the north-west shores of the European continent, but of public, press and commentariat from the world upon her every move and every utterance. She has witnessed and been often part, one step removed as the constitutional head of state though never indifferent, of some of the most serious constitutional, diplomatic, political and personal crises imaginable and military conflict and civil strike here and far overseas, and yet, still, she commands the respect of the overwhelming majority of the citizens—and I use that term of 'citizens' advisedly in a constitutional monarchy—of these isles. I suggest that it's not least because, whilst we all have those feet of clay, those two enduring characteristics of selflessness and leadership and a willingness to acknowledge when things go wrong have meant that the respect for the Queen herself has grown and grown, as every year and as every decade have passed. Perhaps there are lessons for all of us there and for all our leaders in public life who, in elected roles, hope to maintain their positions of privilege and of public service. We all congratulate Her Majesty the Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of the seventieth anniversary of her accession to the throne.

May I say 'thank you' to my colleague Darren Millar for submitting this royally important debate this afternoon? As all Members know, Her Majesty the Queen reaches the seventieth anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February, and as our Welsh Conservative motion states, I'd like to certainly be associated in extending our warmest congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen on what is an incredible achievement.

Firstly, Llywydd, I'd like to just hark back to a few memories of when the Queen was in my community back in 2002, when I was a lot younger, and I recall Her Majesty the Queen visiting Colwyn Bay and actually coming along to visit the school that I was attending at the time. I remember rightly having this strange moment when, actually, she was at the running track at the school and I half expected her to run around and do the 400m, but she was actually driven around the running track that day. But what struck me, and what I observed, even as a teenager, was the way that Her Majesty's presence united people from all areas, all backgrounds, all ages, levels of education, attainment, all creeds, races and ages—a uniting figure, a demonstration of the exceptionally high level at which Her Majesty conducted and continues to conduct herself.

Secondly, and in relation to this, we must pay credit, as has already been outlined by Members here today, to the example of service and duty that Her Majesty has set out for us, as an amazing example for all people, throughout her 70 years on the throne. The fact that Her Majesty continues to, day in and day out, carry out her role with respect and dignity is an example that we can all look to. And this example has been outlined through all of her fantastic work—[Interruption.] Sorry, you want me to take an intervention. Certainly.

I thank the Member, Sam Rowlands. You mentioned, Sam, the public service and you witnessing the Queen at the school. I witnessed the Queen opening Deeside College's centre for engineering excellence in 2003 and I went on to study an apprenticeship there. So, on behalf of north Wales and my residents in Alyn and Deeside, will you join me in congratulating the Queen in everything that she does and, certainly, highlight that role model she is to all of our public servants across the United Kingdom and the world?

Absolutely. Mr Sargeant makes a really important point, especially in relation to her love for education as well and seeing others aspire and do well in life.

The fantastic work that she has carried out in working, and it was mentioned earlier, with around 14 different Prime Ministers—I'm sure that it's difficult enough working with one at times, but having 14—through her 70 years, conducting over 2,000 royal engagements and having been a patron and president of 600 charities, all of this, of course, as the fourth longest reigning monarch of all time—. She has every right to be well respected and hugely supported across the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and especially here in Wales.

And, at this point, Llywydd, I think it's also important for us to remind ourselves of the position that Her Majesty has in our role as Members, and I'm proud of the words that I used, along with many Members here, when sworn in to the Senedd less than 12 months ago, and the words I used were:

'I...swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.'

These are ultimately the words that we must continue to remember when carrying out our role in serving our constituents. And to end my contribution, Llywydd, and in celebration of this incredible achievement, I'd like to read out the following words that unite many people from across all corners of the United Kingdom:

'God save our gracious Queen / Long live our noble Queen / God save the Queen / Send her victorious / Happy and glorious / Long to reign over us / God save the Queen.'

I thought you were going to sing there. I might have joined in—you never know. Jane Dodds.

Diolch, Llywydd. Firstly, I'd like to thank Darren Millar for tabling this motion, and I make a very brief contribution because, with others, I, too, would like to extend my congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen on the seventieth anniversary of her accession to the throne. Her Majesty has remained a constant reminder of public service throughout my life and has served with dedication, honour and dignity. She has shown herself to be a woman of strength and resilience and of strong Christian faith, which has been a source of inspiration to me as a Christian and, as we have heard, to others as well. She has shown the importance of women, as well, in not only our country but across our world. It was for me a great privilege to get to meet her for the first time at the opening of the sixth Senedd last October. And I finally say, 'Best wishes to you, Your Majesty. I extend my congratulations on this significant milestone'.

Thank you very much, Queen Elizabeth.

Janet Finch-Saunders.

Diolch, Llywydd, and I do hope you and all Members will join me in saying, 'Congratulations, indeed, Your Majesty'. The Queen has a central and pivotal role in our own constitution. Under the doctrine of separation of powers, the governance of the state is divided into three branches, each with separate and independent powers and responsibilities. As you'll know, for Wales, the executive comprises the Crown and two Governments, and we must never forget that the Queen does play a constitutional role in opening and dissolving Parliament—indeed, our Senedd Cymru, Welsh Parliament. In fact, the Queen has opened Parliament all but twice during her own reign—the exceptions being in 1959 and 1963, when she was herself with child. It has been such an honour to have met Her Majesty on the three occasions of our royal openings here and to speak with her and it was an honour again to see her officially opening the sixth Senedd not too long ago.

We must not forget that all Acts emanating from this Parliament are approved by her, meaning that the Crown's indirect impact on Wales is far greater than we could ever quantify. In Aberconwy, we have had the privilege of Her Majesty's presence in attending the National Eisteddfod in Llandudno in 1963, opening the Conwy tunnel, alongside the late and very great Wyn Roberts, Lord Roberts of Conwy, and in visiting Venue Cymru in 2010. And I remember her well at the queen of Welsh resorts, Llandudno, as part of the Silver Jubilee tour in 1977. The sun was shining and the promenade full to the brim with locals and visitors, each wanting to catch a glimpse of the royal couple. Local enthusiasm for Her Majesty is unwavering. In fact, our respect and our love for her has rightly grown. She is a constant during all times and has worked with Prime Ministers of all colours and has served us with loyalty, dignity and absolute commitment at all times. In fact, I think it was Harold Macmillan who summed it up well when he called the Queen

'a great support, because she is the one person you can talk to.' 

Alongside assisting Prime Ministers, the Queen is royal patron or president of some 600 charities, and she carries out these responsibilities with great enthusiasm. Fourteen of those are here in Wales and include the golf union of Wales, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, the Football Association of Wales, and Fields in Trust, an organisation that seeks to protect and improve playing fields and other recreational spaces in the UK. More than ever before, our outdoor environment and climate change emergency are at the forefront of all our minds. As Her Majesty stated during COP 26,

'None of us underestimates the challenges ahead: but history has shown that when nations come together in common cause, there is always room for hope. Working side by side, we have the ability to solve the most insurmountable problems and to triumph over the greatest of adversities.'

I think it most appropriate today that we take inspiration from that message of co-operation and the pride that the royal family have shown in encouraging people to protect our fragile planet. I encourage all Members to write to their community and town councils in their constituencies and to inspire participation in the Queen's Green Canopy. I do not doubt that we will see street parties galore during the four-day bank holiday, but the trees that we plant will live on for centuries to come. The Queen's contribution to this country, the Commonwealth and the world will live on for centuries also, be that in the laws passed, the trees planted, the many hearts touched or the nations supported. I sincerely hope that Her Majesty enjoys a much blessed event to celebrate her 70 glorious years on the throne, and I pray for that for many years to come. Llywydd, I would ask that a letter be sent to our Queen on behalf of the Members of the Senedd in order to extend our sincere and grateful congratulations. Thank you, diolch, and long live the Queen.

I now call on the Council General and Minister for the Constitution to contribute to the debate. Mick Antoniw.

Thank you, Llywydd. The Queen's accession will engender mixed emotions for Her Majesty, because it also marks the death of her father. According to reports, she will mark the occasion quietly, and that is natural. Also, this will be her first year without the man who provided such support to her over the years, after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh last year. We all remember the striking images of Her Majesty sitting alone, wearing a mask, at the funeral of her late husband. At that time, she sat in unity with all of those people who had lost loved ones during the pandemic. Many of them had had to grieve alone. She was an example to everyone of dignity and selflessness.

Llywydd, the Government will be tabling its own motion, as we did 10 years ago at the time of the Jubilee celebrations, in the summer. However, it would be appropriate to mark the forthcoming occasion with some reflection. On her twenty-first birthday, the Queen dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth with these words:

'I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service'.

There can be no doubt that Her Majesty has remained steadfast to the promise she made so many years ago.

Llywydd, in this Senedd, and in Wales, we represent many diverse views and opinions. That is democracy. However, I believe that across Wales, the Queen has attained the utmost respect for her personal dedication to public service and the highest standards in public life. For 70 years, she has been an exemplar in the exercise of that duty, working tirelessly in the interests of the nations of the UK and the people of the Commonwealth, and that is why she holds such a special place in the hearts of so many Welsh people.

Here in the Senedd, we all recently had the pleasure of the Queen's presence for the opening of our sixth parliamentary session. The excitement and pride of those who had been involved is an indication of the high regard in which Her Majesty is held by many, an excitement mirrored on the face of the Queen, who seemed to be as interested in the contributions to our national and civic life of those beyond this Chamber as she is in the work that goes on inside it. The people of Wales will have the opportunity to mark the Queen's Jubilee through many events and celebrations that are planned. On behalf of the Government, I offer our congratulations on the occasion of her accession, and for her 70 years of dedication and service. Diolch, Llywydd.

I now call on James Evans to reply to the debate.

Diolch, Llywydd. It's an honour to close this debate today. I want to pay tribute to our longest serving monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her life and her reign can be summed up in a couple of words: duty, and, as Huw Irranca-Davies has said, a remarkable service to our country. At the age of 19, Her Majesty enlisted during world war two to serve in the women's Auxiliary Territorial Service, and this was just the beginning of a life of commitment to this country and to its people. This was epitomised in Her Majesty's famous speech in Cape Town, as many have said today, where she stated:

'I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service'.

She has done that admirably throughout her reign. As Darren Millar has said, Her Majesty the Queen is the longest serving monarch in British history. Her Majesty has remained a stable influence and a calming presence over the country, and she has seen 14 Prime Ministers and four First Ministers, so I must say she has got an abundance of patience. 

Her Majesty the Queen has modernised the monarchy alongside her beloved late husband, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and they turned it into the much-loved institution that it is today, with a global reach promoting British interests around the world, promoting peace, and doing as Sam Rowlands quite rightly said, uniting people together to better the world. Her Majesty's dedication and sense of duty can be seen clearly through her dedication to her countless charities, and she is regarded as doing more than any other monarch in history to support charities. She has been patron and president to over 600 charities during her reign.

It's not just Her Majesty's dedication to the country that we should all be in awe of. Her Majesty remained a great champion of her great work in the Commonwealth, over the years working to rebuild relationships and keep its members together since 1952, as Rhianon Passmore and Natasha Asghar mentioned. When Her Majesty was crowned, the Commonwealth had eight member states. Today, there are 54, and the Queen has overseen a process that has practically changed what it was before and transformed it into a voluntary association of sovereign nations working hand in hand together to promote world peace.

Quite simply, Members, Her Majesty has been steadfast as the head of state and as our monarch, and we and this whole nation will be forever in a debt. I think I speak for the whole Chamber here today when I say, 'God save the Queen'.

The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Does any Member object? No. That motion is therefore agreed, and as Janet Finch-Saunders suggested, I will write to congratulate Her Majesty on 70 years of service, as suggested in the motion.

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.