Moves made by the late Queen Elizabeth II to try to break down segregation in Bermuda were remembered as a service was held in her honour at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Hamilton.

Rena Lalgie, the Governor, Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier and One Bermuda Alliance leader Cole Simons, attended the commemoration this morning.

Delivering the sermon, the Bishop of Bermuda, the Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, spoke of the Queen’s impact on society and dealing with racism.

He said: “It was a reign that saw massive change … dismantling of many things from a bygone era – empire, segregation – the rise of multiculturalism.

“She even contributed towards the ending of these things in Bermuda by insisting that all members of society, Black and White, had access to her during her first visit after the coronation.

“Her life, and her death, and the response to both has been extraordinary.

“That was a reminder to us of the frailty of life and our equality in the face of death.

“Although, of course, she was a stable figure in herself, we know that her life experience was subject to all the same kinds of things that we experience.

“We have seen, very publicly, the joys and the sorrows, the disappointment and bereavement and family struggle.”

Mr Roban told The Royal Gazette: “I met the Queen in 2009 on her visit to Bermuda. I found her a very warm and kind lady.”

Asked about Mr Burt’s absence from the ceremony, Mr Roban said: “He had another commitment, and my job is to fill-in.”

Mr Simons spoke fondly of his meetings with the Queen, telling The Royal Gazette: “I found her warm, engaging and very funny.

“I remember, we were in London for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and there was a reception afterwards. The king of Swaziland was there, so we’re talking, and for some reason we got on to the horses, and we talked about my horses, and her training, and how she was behind in training her race horses, and then we talked about the diversity of the Commonwealth.

“The Commonwealth is a diverse section of the universe that will collectively work together.”

Mr Burt, along with the Governor, attended the Queen’s state funeral in London last month. He also led tributes to the Queen at a special sitting of the House of Assembly.