President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on the occasion commemorating her 91^st birth anniversary on Friday, April 21, 2017.

Queen Elizabeth II was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in London, to Prince Albert, Duke of York (later known as King George VI, and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon). She married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, became queen on February 6, 1952, and was crowned on June 2, 1953. She is the mother of Prince Charles, heir to the throne, as well as the grandmother of princes William and Harry. As the longest-serving monarch in British history, she has tried to make her reign more modern and sensitive to a changing public while maintaining traditions associated with the crown.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to Queen Elizabeth II, President Sirleaf personally extended warmest felicitations and best wishes of well-being and prosperity on this special and happy occasion.

“We are thankful that God continues to endow Your Majesty with long life, good health and strength, so that you may remain an inspiration for the world, particularly the marginalized,” the Liberian leader said; adding, “We also salute your immense patronage to hundreds of charities, many of which are encouraged by your Majesty’s laudable benevolence.”

President Sirleaf indicated that it is satisfying to note that relations between Liberia and Great Britain have attained new and elevated heights, bolstered by the visit of the British Foreign Secretary to Liberia in February this year. She furthered that discussions held were quite encouraging and were aimed at expanding the spheres of bilateral cooperation between both countries, while consolidating current engagements. “We were pleased to have received reports that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was impressed by the visit,” the Liberia President noted.

On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, President Sirleaf extended gratitude to the Government of the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for its support to the Government of Liberia, which has in many ways positively impacted the lives of Liberians.

She emphasized that the Liberian Government has been invigorated by renewed commitments by the British Government aimed at improving the country’s infrastructure, especially roads and energy, which are very critical to the fulfillment of Liberia’s development goals.

“Once again, allow me to extend congratulations on Your Majesty’s birth anniversary, and wish you and members of the Royal Family continued good health and happiness,” President Sirleaf urged.