The UK is “uniquely blessed” to be ruled by the Queen, said David Cameron, who led tributes to the monarch in the House of Commons on her 90th birthday.
MPs gave speeches of congratulations, highlighting the “exquisite and defining” speech the Queen gave on her 21st birthday in Cape Town, in which she dedicated her life to serve the Commonwealth.
“We are uniquely blessed in our country,” Cameron said. “Her Majesty’s service is extraordinary and it is a joy for us all to celebrate, to cherish and to honour.
“In this modern Elizabethan era, Her Majesty has led a gentle evolution of our monarchy. From that first televised Christmas Day message, over three decades before cameras were allowed into this House, to the opening up of the royal palaces and the invention of the royal walkabout, she’s brought the monarchy closer to the people while also retaining its dignity.”
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, a lifelong republican, gave a touching tribute to the monarch, saying he admired her energy and outstanding commitment to public life. “May I say, as a relatively young whippersnapper, I’m fully in favour of our country having leaders of a finer vintage,” he said.
“Today we’re talking about a highly respected individual who is 90, and whatever different views people across this country have about the institution, the vast majority share an opinion that Her Majesty has served this country and has overwhelming support with a clear sense of public service and public duty. She’s carried out that duty with enormous warmth.”
He went on to tell an anecdote about a Labour MP who encountered the Queen shortly after being elected in 1987. “My dear friend Mildred Gordon, the former member for Bow and Poplar, who recently died aged 92 and whose funeral is tomorrow, met the Queen at the opening of the Docklands light railway,” Corbyn said.
“The Queen asked Mildred how she was getting on as a newly elected MP and Mildred replied with the devastating honesty she replied to everything: she said she felt she had very little power to help her constituents.
“So the Queen took her on one side and with her customary wit said: ‘Once they find out you lot can’t help them, they all write to me.’”
He praised the Queen as a defender of the Commonwealth, and highlighted her historic visit to Ireland in 2011. “I admire her energy and wish her well in her continuing and outstanding commitment to public life. I wish her a very happy 90th birthday,” Corbyn added.
He joked that the Queen had “seen off 12 prime ministers”, before pausing for a meaningful glance at Cameron.
