We lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship to know the right time and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep.

I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else - I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.

The upward course of a nation's history is due in the long run to the soundness of heart of its average men and women.

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.

I think everybody really will concede that on this, of all days, I should begin my speech with the words `My husband and I'.

It is as queen of Canada that I am here. Queen of Canada and all Canadians, not just one or two ancestral strains.

It is easy enough to define what the Commonwealth is not. Indeed this is quite a popular pastime.

They are not royal. They just happen to have me as their aunt.

We are not amused.