KUALA LUMPUR: Queen Elizabeth II has fond memories of her trips to Malaysia, said the British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay.
Speaking at Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebration at the Sime Darby International Gallery here today, Hay said he had an audience with the queen to receive his credentials before he came to Malaysia in 2019.
"During the meeting, I was struck by her lively memories of her three trips here, particularly for the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in 1998," he said.
Hay spoke about the close relationship between the two governments over the years.
"The UK and Malaysia have a deep shared history, which has flourished into a modern day partnership where both countries are working collaboratively across mutual interest.
"The UK has contributed a total of £15 million (RM80 million) in the last three years alone to implement economic partnership programmes with Malaysia.
"Bilateral trade between the UK and Malaysia totalled over £5 billion (RM27 billion), with the UK seeking to grow priority sectors like education, technology, smart cities and healthcare," he said.
It is Queen Elizabeth's 70th year on the throne. She turned 96 in April.
Hay said the most important facet of the queen's reign was her sense of duty and tireless devotion to a life of service.
"Through the seven decades of her reign, the queen has been an important source of stability and strength for the UK.
"She has transcended politics, change of government, wars and a pandemic. She has been served by no fewer than 14 prime ministers," he said.
At the event, Hay raised a toast to the health and wellbeing of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah graced the reception, which was attended by 800 guests.
Tunku Azizah was given a tour of an art gallery featuring portraits of Queen Elizabeth II by Malaysian pencil artist Hakim Abdullah and digital artwork by British artist Rachel Gray.
Earlier this month, the United Kingdom celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee with four days of public events.
Queen Elizabeth II is the second longest reigning monarch in the modern world. Up to Monday, she has been on the throne for 70 years and 127 days, second only to King Loius XIV of France, who ascended to the throne when he was 4.