As a proud monarchist and admirer of the Queen, it is truly humbling when you consider the scale of service she has given to our great nation.
Indeed, most MPs should take heed from her exemplary dedication to public service and how she has carried out her duties with dignified leadership, remarkable grace and unerring decency.
I had the great pleasure of meeting her when she officially opened the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay on St David's Day 2006.
People often forget that while the Queen's political powers nowadays are largely ceremonial, our sovereign lady is a bastion for protecting democracy.
The 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II is a genuine cause for national celebration and I for one will be raising a glass to Her Majesty.