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Queen In Rare Tribute To Charles And Philip

Queen In Rare Tribute To Charles And Philip

The Queen has paid a rare tribute to Prince Charles, in what may have been her valedictory speech at a Commonwealth conference.

She thanked her son for his support and "great distinction" and also praised 94-year-old Prince Philip for his "boundless energy and commitment".

In her opening address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta, the Queen spoke fondly of the time she spent on the island with her husband as a newly-married couple.

"Prince Philip and I first came to live here in 1949, the same year in which the Commonwealth was founded,” she told the 53 Commonwealth leaders attending the summit.

The royal couple lived on the island for two years while Philip was serving in the Royal Navy, before his wife became Queen.

Now 89, Her Majesty is expected to step back from attending these gatherings in future and hand over the hosting of them to Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla.

In what sounded like valedictory remarks, the Queen said she has cherished her time as leader of the Commonwealth, a role she has held for more than 60 years.

"I feel enormously proud of what the Commonwealth has achieved, and all of it within my lifetime," she added.

"For more than six decades of being head of the Commonwealth, a responsibility I have cherished, I have had the fortune of the constancy of the Duke of Edinburgh.

"To that, and to his many other Commonwealth associations, Prince Philip has brought boundless energy and commitment, for which I am indebted.

"Nor could I wish to have been better supported and represented in the Commonwealth than by the Prince of Wales who continues to give so much to it with great distinction."

Later, the Queen will host a banquet for the Commonwealth leaders at which the main speaker will be former Prime Minister Sir John Major, who played such a key role during the marriage break-up of Charles and the then Princess of Wales and who provided support for Princes William and Harry during that time.