As we come today to what I know as the debating Chamber, it's really good that we're coming together today, putting aside politics for once, and I'd like to recall the words of the late Jo Cox, where she said that

'There's more that unites us than divides us.'

We're here as sons, daughters, some of us parents and grandparents, just as the Queen was a granny as well, and we talk about how we can connect with the Queen, and we see that we really do connect.

I'd like to pass on my condolences to her family, to the royal family, today. She has been a constant in our lives. I remember going to the Jubilee street parties as a child and then continuing to organise community events as well, and it's about that great spirit of community togetherness, I think, that's really, really important. I remember going to Mold high street, taking my youngest with me, and there was much laughter and excitement there as we were all trying to squeeze onto the pavement just to watch the Queen go by in a car and catch her wave. I remember going with other volunteers to Llandudno, and it was an event that the Queen was going to, and just thinking how lovely that all these volunteers were together, and the sense of community. It's that, really, that brings the warmth as well.

Last year, it was a great privilege to meet the Queen as a new MS in the Senedd. We were in a big group, weren't we, as she was coming along, and I was thinking, 'Oh my word, what will I do if she wants to talk with me or ask a question? What have I got in common with the Queen? What can I say?', not knowing the protocol, really, as a newbie. But, I remember her coming along with the Llywydd and talking about having meetings via Zoom and how she had learnt to manage them, and I was thinking, 'What have I got in common? I know, dogs.' And, as she came nearer, I said, 'When I have my Zoom meetings at home, I sit with a dog either side of me, and often they do try and join in with conversations on Zoom', as you have heard as well. And then I was just thinking, 'How many times has she had to do that over the years, in so many different predicaments, trying to think on the spot, 'What can I say to this person? What have we got in common?' There's the humour she's brought, especially in her later days, as Alun said earlier, with James Bond, and I was thinking, 'What else have I got in common with the Queen?' Well, I also carry sandwiches in my handbag, as she revealed to Paddington Bear, especially on my long train journeys up and down. So, I just think there's that great humour, connecting with people, that's so important as well that she had.

And also, I'd just like to say what a great example of leadership to women everywhere, and I look at that as well as inspiration. So, may she rest in peace. Condolences to her family. I look forward to welcoming King Charles here to the Senedd later on in the week and to north Wales.