Llywydd, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth had a profoundly deep impact on families right across the world. My own family was indeed one of them—so profound in fact that, as some of you know, my middle name is Windsor, named after the royal family as I was born in the year of the then Prince of Wales's investiture back in 1969, so the Queen and the royal family touched my family very deeply indeed.

I count myself incredibly fortunate to have had the honour of meeting Her Majesty on a few occasions. Every time I did, she was warm, compassionate and humble, and always very interested in what I was doing. Just to be in her presence was an honour, and I will carry those memories with me for the rest of my life.

As a nation, we are all fortunate to have had her calm and steady presence throughout our lives, as she diligently led us through times of great historical change. Whether that change was political, economic or social, she provided continuity and comfort to so many. In those periods of darkness, she was our light.

In times of great celebration, like Victory in Europe Day or the London 2012 Olympics, she was always with us. The leader of the opposition mentioned the heart-wrenching tribute from Paddington Bear following her passing, a reminder that the world really was holding her hand.

As the First Minister said, the image of Her Majesty at the funeral of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, will be forever etched into our minds. A figure silent and stoic in the face of immeasurable sadness and grief, facing loss alone just as many did during the COVID pandemic. She embodied the whole nation.

But, after that dark period, it was the Queen who brought the nation together again with her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, celebrations where neighbours embraced one another at a street party and beacons were lit; an extraordinary display of community cohesion at a time when the nation really needed it.

In one of her other infamous annual Christmas broadcasts, she said this:

'When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.'

So, as we come to terms with Queen Elizabeth's passing, perhaps the greatest tribute we can all make is to emulate her great dedication and service to the people whom we represent, and work as hard as we can to better our country and support our constituents. As a former British Prime Minister said in the last few days, she was the world's greatest public servant.

We now enter a new period of British, and indeed global, history. To His Majesty King Charles III, I offer the same oath of service and dedication as I did to Queen Elizabeth II. Let us unite in our grief and face this new chapter in our nation's story together. May our beloved Queen rest in peace and rise in glory, and God save the King.