Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a permanent feature of our lives for so long, combining continuity with change, example with empathy, and dignity with dedication. She achieved so much, and I will miss her presence among us, personally, greatly. When my wife and I were introduced to the Queen at successive official openings of the Senedd, she always made an effort to make everyone feel special. I was waiting for the delivery of my original digital hearing aids when I was first introduced to Her Majesty. She asked me a question; I said 'Pardon?' She repeated the question; I said 'Pardon?' again. In desperation and in breach of protocol, I asked her a question about her visit to Mold the preceding day. She answered with dignity and understanding. After overhearing my wife championing her, she held onto my wife's hand when my wife was subsequently introduced to her. As you know, when you shake her hand, it's normally brief. My wife had to wait until she agreed to let go of my wife's hand. On another occasion, when everyone in a line-up except my wife was introduced to the Queen, Her Majesty made sure that my wife was included. 

Her Majesty was truly the Queen of Britons—y Cymry—and the British nations, descended from the Welsh princes, Rhys of Deheubarth and Llywelyn the Great, the first via her descent from William Carey and Mary Boleyn, and the second via her descent from Henry VII. Henry VII came from an old, established Anglesey family, which claimed descent from Cadwaladr, who was in legend the last ancient British king. Elizabeth II was a direct descendant of Henry VII via his daughter Margaret, the older sister of Henry VIII. In her Jubilee speech to the UK Parliament in 1977, the Queen stated:

'I number Kings and Queens of England and of Scotland, and Princes of Wales among my ancestors.... But I cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.'

As the UK's longest serving monarch, after reigning 70 years, the Queen's impact upon the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and on realms and territories, is of huge significance. We must unite in our grief and take strength that both our country and the Commonwealth are better places today for her long reign and life of public service. Eight countries came together in 1949 to form the modern Commonwealth. Her Majesty became head of the Commonwealth after being chosen for this role by Commonwealth member countries when she became Queen three years later. Since then, the Commonwealth has grown to become a free association not of eight countries, but of 56 independent and equal member countries. I thank Her Majesty for her service.

I know what it's like to lose a parent. I know what it's like to lose a mother-in-law. My mother-in-law also passed on this year aged 96, and always felt an affinity, because of their year of birth, with Her Majesty. My condolences go to Her Majesty's family and loved ones. God bless Her Majesty. Long live the King.