LONDON: Prince William has paid a heartfelt tribute to his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II hailing her as a role model during whose reign Britain has changed "almost beyond recognition".
In an introduction to a biography of the Queen by Lord Hurd to commemorate her longest-serving reign, the Duke of Cambridge praised the Queen for providing "continuity" and "reassurance" for the nation through the "uncertainty" of the "rapid social change" of recent times.
The Prince said that the country has changed "almost beyond recognition" during the Queen's reign, but praises her for embracing the future without compromising her own traditional values of "family and charity".
Describing her influence on him personally, the future heir to the throne said he draws strength from her example, adding that he feels "privileged" to have her as a role model. "Over the last 90 years, the world has changed more rapidly than at any time in history," he said.
"When my grandmother the Queen was born in 1926, the wounds of the Great War were still healing, but few would imagine how soon they would be reopened. "The confidence of the previous century had morphed into uncertainty and many worried – as they still do – about the challenge presented to our communities by rapid technological and social change.
"I think I speak for my generation when I say that the example and continuity provided by the Queen is not only rare among leaders but a great source of pride and reassurance. Time and again, quietly and modestly, the Queen has shown us all that we can confidently embrace the future without compromising the things that are important," he said.