The Queen was held in high esteem and with deep affection by our people - Chaudhry

Former Prime Minister and Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says the nation mourns with the people of Great Britain, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, at the age of 96.

Chaudhry says 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.

He further says he had the privilege of having lunch with the Queen seated right next to her and that momentous occasion came during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in South Africa in 1999 when he was Prime Minister and he was invited to lunch along with five other Pacific Island leaders.

Chaudhry adds all of them were relatively newly elected to office and rather nervous about the protocols to be observed but she immediately put them at ease by engaging in a conversation about their respective people and countries.

He also says the Queen will be mourned the world over for she was seen as a mother figure by most world leaders.

Chaudhry says they send their deepest condolences to the Royal family and the people of Great Britain.