Queen Elizabeth II: Senedd pays tribute to Queen's 'remarkable life'

Welsh politicians have spoken of the "remarkable life" of Queen Elizabeth II in a special session of the Senedd.

Leading tributes, First Minister Mark Drakeford praised her "personal commitment to Wales and its democratic institutions".

Senedd members from all parties spoke about their own personal encounters with and memories of the monarch.

The event in the Welsh Parliament follows a proclamation ceremony in Cardiff.

Proceedings opened with a minute's silence, with most of the chamber's 60 Senedd members in attendance.

They passed a motion of condolence, expressing the Senedd's "deep sadness at the death of Her Majesty The Queen".

It will be presented to King Charles III on Friday when he visits the Cardiff Bay legislature.

Mr Drakeford said the Queen had lived a "remarkable life" with an "overriding sense of duty."

He described the Queen's "personal commitment to Wales and its democratic institutions", saying that she had made a "personal decision" in 1999 to open the first term of the new Welsh Assembly, "ignoring the advice provided to her".

The Welsh Labour leader said the image of the Queen sitting alone at the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh "in dignified and determined observation" of Covid regulations was one of the "defining images of her reign".

He gave his "sincerest sympathies to the new King and his family."

"Our thoughts are with the new Prince and Princess of Wales," he added.

"We wish them every success in this new chapter in their lives of service."

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Presiding Officer Elin Jones said that while views in the Welsh Parliament differed on the monarchy, they differed little on the way the Queen carried out her role as monarch and "how her wisdom and dedication of office was valued".

The Plaid Cymru Senedd member, who spoke first in the Senedd session, said: "Elizabeth II looked for what united rather than what created division, we too can seek that unity can seek that unity today in our condolence."

The senior politician thanked Her Majesty for her service to Wales, and for a "life time of service affected with dignity and grace".

She noted Queen Elizabeth II's six visits to official openings in the Senedd, saying the monarch sat among Senedd members "as she fulfilled her constitutional duty as head of state".

At the last such event in 2021 the Llywydd said she had worn a "dress with a dash of peachy pink", while the Queen wore a "suit of peachy pink".

"We matched perfectly apparently, and you've no idea how many people have asked me quite seriously whether we prearranged our wardrobe choices that day, as if I was in a secret Whatsapp group with the monarch," the Llywydd said.