Opening of the exhibition 'Women and War', Imperial War Museum, 14 October 2003

Being inclusive and accepting diversity goes far deeper than accepting differences at face value and being tolerant.

The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth.

In the Commonwealth, governments, businesses, communities and individuals should each strive to match words and good intentions with deeds. Every contribution has its part to...

I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice.

Despite its size and scale, the Commonwealth to me is still at heart a collection of villages.

The Commonwealth is one of the great partnerships of the world where rich and poor, large and small, work together for the common good.

Thank you, Mr Prime Minister of Canada, for making me feel so old!

Ladies and gentlemen, I feel enormously proud of what the Commonwealth has achieved, and all of it within my lifetime

One simple lesson from history is that when people come together to talk, to exchange ideas and to develop common goals, wonderful things can happen.

No hundredth birthday greeting will give greater pleasure to deliver than the one I give to you, along with these New Colours today.

I name this ship QUEEN ELIZABETH. May God bless her and all who sail in her.

The Regimental Association is the very embodiment of the Regimental Family and I trust that it will thrive equally well over the next century too!

I hope the carefully chosen words of the Charter will reinvigorate efforts, already begun, to make the Commonwealth fit and agile for the years ahead.

let us bear in mind the great opportunity that is offered by the Commonwealth – of joining with others, stronger together, for the common good.

I hope that you will enjoy your time in the United Kingdom, and I am sure that you will find a warm reception awaiting you, your athletes and the visiting spectators.

We are very proud of the selfless service, and sacrifices made by servicemen and women and their families in recent years.

The Commonwealth offers a pathway for this greater understanding and the opportunity to expand upon our shared experiences in a wider world.

You are worthy successors to those soldiers of General Monck’s Regiment of Foot, who, in 1660, marched from Coldstream to restore law and order in the Capital.

This city is known for its optimism; this state is known for its opportunity and potential; and, this country is known for its warmth, openness and generosity.