Lavish praise has been heaped on the Queen for her platinum jubilee by David Burt, the Premier – despite the Government drawing criticism for not marking the occasion with a public holiday.

Mr Burt said the Queen displayed calm and dignity in a world that had changed rapidly over the past 70 years.

The comments come after a union chief said the Government missed an opportunity by not giving workers a two-day bank holiday to celebrate the jubilee as other Overseas Territories such as the Cayman Islands had.

Mr Burt told the House of Assembly: “We often speak of a lifetime of service in casual terms and it usually refers to careers of 30, 40, or, perhaps, even 50 years – 70 years of service brings a new meaning to the term a lifetime of service.

“The world of 1952 is a thing of the past, but today, 70 years later, there remains a common presence that has weathered those changes, withstood personal challenges and adapted to the modern era in which we live.

“Her Majesty the Queen is a rallying symbol to many around the world with unfailing calm and dignity.

“She has wowed presidents and ordinary citizens, mastered huge crowds and intimate gatherings.

“On the occasion of this, Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, on behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda I wish to convey warmest congratulations on this milestone the like of which we will not see again for many generations.”

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One Bermuda Alliance leader Cole Simons congratulated the Queen’s support for Overseas Territories such as Bermuda.

He told MPs: “It is unquestionable that by any standard … a milestone of 70 years is a very, very long time to be on the throne.

“It is indeed, her grit, her grace, her dignity, and her personal lifelong commitment to public service that has enabled her to fulfil her duties with such aplomb.

“We applaud her dedication in supporting the Commonwealth, the British Overseas Territories, and respecting their individual sovereignties.

“We congratulate her majesty and wish her continued good health and many more years of reign.”

The Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos and Montserrat followed Britain in holding two days of bank holidays this week to mark the Queen’s 70-year reign.

The British Virgin Islands, where there has been a growing political push for independence recently, also celebrated the landmark with a national day off.

Chris Furbert, head of the Bermuda Industrial Union, said earlier this week: “If other jurisdictions are doing it, having a national holiday, I think that the Government should take a look at that.

“If the Government missed the boat they need to acknowledge that they haven’t given the workers a holiday. It’s a missed opportunity.”