The death of Queen Elizabeth II today has significance for the position of  Jamaica’s Head of State with Prince Charles now becoming King.

Asif Ahmad was one of Jamaica’s most progressive and accomplished British high commissioners, whose tenure ended last year.

He recalls the dignified presence of the Queen in both his personal and professional life and what she meant and stood for with many Jamaicans.

Speaking with Our Today from the United Kingdom, Ahmad said: “It is indeed a very sad day. As British High Commissioner to Jamaica, I had a first-hand account of how highly regarded she was by many of its people.

“The fact that Jamaica has not transitioned to a republic and the Queen has remained Head of State for so long means so much. For Jamaicans of a certain generation, the Queen was the living embodiment of certain values and a way of life that Jamaicans hold dear – civility, courtesy, respect.”

Ahmad recalls his time as the UK’s leading official in Commonwealth matters and attending the Heads of Government Commonwealth meeting in Abuja, Nigeria in 2003 which was also attended by Jamaica’s prime ,inister at that time, P.J. Patterson.

That meeting saw the Queen attending sessions every day and discussions became a bit fraught but he will always remember Her Majesty requesting to meet him personally and then thanking him for his service and all he had done.