HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME MAIVALILI KATONIVERE'S ADDRESS AT THE COMMEMORATION SERVICE OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

 The Acting Prime Minister, Attorney-General and Minister for Economy, Civil Service, Communications, Housing and Community Development, Honourable Aiyaz Saiyad-Khaiyum and Mrs. Ela Saiyed-Khaiyum;

 The Chief Justice, Honourable Justice Kamal Kumar;

 The Speaker of Parliament and Former President, Honourable Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Adi Koila Nailatikau;

 Former President, His Excellency Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote;

 Honourable Ministers;

 Honourable Members of Parliament;

 Your Excellencies, Heads of Diplomatic Corp;

 Most Reverend Orisi Vuki;

 Distinguished Guests;

 Viewers and Well wishes watching from the comfort of your homes or using the Live feed;

 Members of the media;

 Ladies and gentlemen.

We gather this morning at the State House to commemorate the life of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was finally laid to rest at Windsor Castle.

Today we converge to commemorate a life that was instrumental to Fiji’s history, from pre-independence to the present day. Her Majesty lived a full life, a rich life devoted to public service as well as a life shared with the public.

And I thank our Honourable Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, for making the long journey to London to represent our people at the funeral service to honour Her Majesty’s life and legacy.

Fiji and Her Majesty with the Royal family have shared many good memories over the years during Her Majesty’s reign. In saying that, I am transported to the different times Her Majesty travelled to Fiji, in 1953 and 1963 when Fiji was a crown colony; and then in 1977 and 1982 as Queen of the Dominion of Fiji. During all Her visits Her Majesty solidified Fiji’s relationship with the Crown.

We are equally blessed that the Speaker of Parliament and Former President Honourable Ratu Epeli Nailatikau who was the Honourary Aide-De-Camp to Her Majesty during these visits.The former President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote was an instrumental member of the Royal Fiji Military Force during these visits and later met Her Majesty in London during His Excellency’s Presidential tour in London after His Excellency’s inauguration.

We are indeed fortunate to have in our presence Fijians who personally met Her Majesty and today we gather to honour and celebrate Fiji’s relationship with Her Majesty and the Royal family.

Throughout her life Queen Elizabeth personified service and throughout the course of her life became a symbol of stability and steadfast patriotism, she was indeed the stronghold of the Royal family who was loved by her family, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have always believed that the true essence of a person is truly seen when they have passed on, this is true, and Her Majesty’s speech from Cape Town on 21 April 1947 and I quote “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong” unquote.

Her Majesty’s service during her long reign that continued even until her untimely demise. Which has become evident in the multitude of citizens, dignitaries and families who have been paying their respects in the past week. Throughout the course of this past week, much has been uttered, written and shared about Her Majesty’s life of service, of dedication to her duty as a monarch, her tenacity over the years when faced with the many adversities during her lifetime, and most important of all is her legacy of grace that shall inspire many in perpetuity.

Her Majesty in the course of her seven decade reign officiated over 21,000 official engagements, she was served by fifteen Prime Ministers and held more than fifty ranks and appointments in the British and Commonwealth Armed Services. Her reign as well as Her Majesty’s name over the years became synonymous with family, God and Country as these were close to Her Majesty’s heart and what she represented. Her wisdom and grace will continue to inspire generations across the world in the many decades to come.

Ladies and gentlemen, I sincerely thank the Dean of the Anglican Church, the Very Reverend Orisi Vuki and the choir for leading our service this morning. Also wish to thank each of you present for this Commemoration and Thanksgiving service.

I pray that the Almighty shall grant Her Majesty Eternal Rest and shall impart comfort and peace on the Royal Family during this time; and grant His Majesty King Charles III strength of will and clarity as he takes over from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank you all!