Former Prime Minister and Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says the nation mourns with the people of Great Britain, the passing of the British monarch and Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, at 96.

“The Queen was held in high esteem and with deep affection by our people as a beloved matriarch who for the last seven decades signified peace and continuity in the face of the traumatic changes we have undergone as a nation,” Mr Chaudhry said.

“I was only 11 when she ascended the throne in 1953. Little did I know then that one day I will have the privilege of having lunch with Her Majesty, seated right next to her.”

“That momentuous occasion came during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) in Durban, South Africa in 1999 when I was Prime Minister. I was invited to lunch along with five other Pacific Island leaders.

“All of us were relatively newly elected to office and rather nervous about the protocols to be observed but she immediately put us at ease by engaging in a conversation about our respective peoples and countries.”

She was charming and friendly throughout the lunch which appeared to have been carefully planned to reflect the values of healthy eating.

“It was an experience I have treasured ever since,” Mr Chaudhry said.

She will be mourned the world over for she was seen as a mother figure by most world leaders.

We send our deepest condolences to the Royal family and the people of Great Britain.

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