Prime Minister Douglas, the most senior leader, raised the Toast at Marlborough House in the presence of Her Majesty and Heads of Government and heads of state from across Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific. High Commissioners, former Commonwealth Secretaries-General - Sir Shridath Ramphal and Chief Emeka Anyaoku - and representatives of the Commonwealth’ 54 member countries.
“For six decades, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has been a constant in a changing world.  Her personal dedication and steadfast commitment have been relied on repeatedly to help to steer us successfully through enormous social and political change.   And in an era in which the world has seen not only change, but indeed tumult, your works and constancy, Ma'am, have provided the solidity and continuity that has been so important to the Commonwealth, to the United Kingdom's view of itself and, indeed, to the very meaning of United Kingdom in the eyes of the world,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
The St. Kitts and Nevis leader added: “We celebrate the fact that Your Majesty continues to be a wonderful role model, a wise counsel and a source of great strength.  You have been a source of stability in times of trouble, a relentless champion for freedom and through your dedicated public service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realm and the Commonwealth have come to epitomise grace in service; steadfastness in commitment, compassion in leadership, dignity in loyalty and devotion in duty.”
“In a further expression of Her Majesty's commitment and love for the Commonwealth, she has visited all corners of the Commonwealth over the last sixty years and been personally involved in strengthening the links between peoples from across all our varied and diverse member nations.  You are Ma'am, the embodiment of the fundamental values we hold dear throughout our great Commonwealth.
Over the last few months and, in the last four days in particular, we have seen Diamond Jubilee celebrations in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.  In St. Kitts and Nevis, we have been celebrating our own very special relationship with you with a series of activities which started last November and culminated two days ago. Of course similar activities of commemoration and celebration have also been taking place throughout the Commonwealth,” said Dr. Douglas.
He added that the celebrations, the sheer numbers of people who have taken part across the world, speak to the warm appreciation and great respect that the people of the Commonwealth feel for Her Majesty, their joy at this time of celebration and their gratitude to the Queen.
“We, the Heads of Government and State, High Commissioners gathered here today have been delighted to participate in the official celebrations of Your Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.  And we shall forever remember the outpouring of pride and affection toward you witnessed everywhere this week, from the people of Britain, in celebration of this most special occasion,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He concluded: “In keeping with the sentiments of the Governments and peoples of the Commonwealth, therefore, and in celebration of this most historic occasion, I ask all assembled here on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee to now join me by raising your goblets and glasses to the continued health, happiness, and well-being of our Queen, Head of our Commonwealth.”
Commonwealth leaders who attended the Diamond Jubilee Luncheon were: The Rt. Hon. David Cameron, British Prime Minister; Philemon Yang, Prime Minister of Cameroon; Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada; Joyce Banda, President of Malawi; Dr. Mohamed Waheed, President of Maldives; Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta; Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius; Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of Namibia; John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand; Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka and Michael Sata, President of Zambia.