Madam Speaker, as a woman myself, I feel compelled to pay tribute to the Queen for the woman she was.
I would like to begin by expressing my most sincere condolences to Her Majesty's family and every Commonwealth citizen saddened by her death.
Today I would like to talk about the woman who bore the great title of Queen of 15 Commonwealth countries and head of the Commonwealth, a role she fulfilled to the very end of her life.
Throughout her 70-year reign, she performed her duties with dignity, strength and composure while also carrying out her roles as wife, woman, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. During her reign, the Queen demonstrated remarkable agility in wearing all the hats a woman must wear on a daily basis. Let us not forget that she reigned during a time when women fought very hard for recognition of their rights.
She encountered many a storm throughout her life, but she always kept a steady hand on the tiller. She honoured all her responsibilities with devotion. She always recovered from setbacks with her characteristic grace and strength. She set an example for us all.
We will always remember her as a strong, bold woman. Few women will ever leave as indelible a mark on history as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. May she rest in peace.