World leaders and dignitaries have paid their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at the age of 96.
They have honored the Queen’s strong sense of duty and tenacity, as well as her sense of humor and generosity.
Emmanuel Macron of France led the tributes, recalling “a kind-hearted queen” who was “a friend of France.”
Before seeing Her Majesty for the first time forty years ago, US President Joe Biden described her as “more than a monarch – she defined an age.”
Mr. Biden, recalling his presidential visit to the United Kingdom in 2021, remarked, “She delighted us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared her wisdom with us.”
Mr. Biden continued, “Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unparalleled dignity and steadfastness who strengthened the foundation of the Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States and helped make our partnership unique.”
Following the death of the Queen, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his “deepest condolences to the British government and people,” adding, “Her demise is a big loss for the British people.”
During Queen Elizabeth’s reign as head of state, Canada had twelve prime ministers.
Emotionally charged Justin Trudeau, who has known the Queen for decades and first saw her as a child when his father was prime minister, stated that she had “a profound and enduring affection for Canadians.”
In a confusing world, her steady grace and determination provided us all comfort,” the prime minister wrote, adding that he would miss their “chats” in which she was “thoughtful, knowledgeable, inquiring, helpful, humorous, and so much more.
He fought back tears as he continued, “She was one of my favorite people in the world, and I will miss her very much.”
“An exceptional individual”
Around the world, flags have been lowered to half-staff, including at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU Commission, stated that the Queen’s “empathy and capacity to connect with every passing generation while keeping entrenched in the heritage that truly meant to her, was a model of true leadership.”
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, the only reigning female monarch in the world, sent her sympathies to King Charles in a letter.
She remarked, “She was a towering presence among European monarchs and a tremendous source of inspiration for us all.”
She described the Queen’s 70-year reign in both challenging and prosperous times as “unique and amazing.”
Queen Elizabeth’s sixth cousin, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, said he and Queen Maxima remembered the “steadfast and wise” monarch with “deep respect and great fondness.”
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, a distant relative of Her Majesty, stated, “She has always been a treasured connection in our shared family history.”
King Felipe and Queen Letizia, who have traditionally referred to Queen Elizabeth as their Aunt Lilibet, have stated that they will “deeply mourn her.”
And Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde described her as “a remarkable personality who displayed dignity, courage, and commitment throughout her reign.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the Queen’s “great sense of humor” and said that “her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the tragedies of World War II will never be forgotten.”
Narendra Modi recalled his “memorable interactions” with the king during two visits to the United Kingdom.
“I shall never forget her friendliness and warmth,” he tweeted. During one of our sessions, she showed me the handkerchief that Mahatma Gandhi had given her for her wedding, a gesture I will never forget.
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia offered their condolences, with the king characterizing her as a “leadership role model who will be immortalized in history.”
A comforting presence
As ruler for seven decades, Queen Elizabeth witnessed an unprecedented transformation, which was expressed in several tributes.
Mr. Macron remarked that she “embodied the continuity and togetherness of the British countryside for more than seven decades,” while former U.S. President Barack Obama noted that she lived “through eras of prosperity and stagnation – from the Moon landing to the collapse of the Berlin Wall.”
The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, expressed “profound regret.” “The passing of the queen, who guided Britain through tumultuous times in the globe, is a big loss for the British people and the worldwide community alike,” he told reporters.
Michael D. Higgins, president of Ireland, praised the Queen’s “great sense of duty,” stating that it will “hold a special position in British history.”
“During her 70-year reign, she was an extraordinary source of reassurance for the British people,” he added in a long statement.
The Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheál Martin, referred to the Queen’s demise as the “end of an era” and referred to her reign as being of “historical duration.”
Mr. Martin said in a statement, “Her devotion to duty and public service was clear, and her insight and experience were genuinely exceptional.” In addition, he recalled her “many courteous gestures and warm remarks” during her 2011 state visit to Ireland.
The secretary-general of the United Nations, António Guterres, described Queen Elizabeth as “a reassuring presence over decades of enormous upheavals, such as the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth.
In a statement, he praised “her unrelenting, lifelong commitment to serving her people, and the world will remember her leadership for generations to come.”
Queen Elizabeth visited Australia, another Commonwealth nation where she served as head of state, 16 times, more than any other reigning monarch.
Premier Anthony Albanese remarked that many had never experienced a world without her.
He stated in a statement, “Despite the clamor and turmoil of the years, she represented and demonstrated a timeless decency and an abiding calm.”
“She rejoiced in our triumphs and stood by us in our tribulations; she was joyful, glorious, and unwavering.”
Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, stated that a police officer flashing a flashlight into her bedroom at 04:50 a.m. awoke her with the news of the death of the king.
Ms. Ardern remarked, “She was extraordinary… The latter days of the Queen’s life capture who she was in so many ways, working until the very end for the people she loved.”
She lived history and shaped it.
During her reign, Queen Elizabeth II met thirteen US presidents, beginning with Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Barack Obama stated that the Queen’s reign was characterized by grace, elegance, and a persistent work ethic.
Mr. Obama, who met the Queen multiple times, said in a statement, “We were repeatedly struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her enormous wit and charm to moments of great pomp and grandeur.”
Donald Trump stated that he would “never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, excellent knowledge, and a terrific sense of humor.”
And another former president, George W. Bush, recalled with fondness the day he shared tea with Her Majesty and her corgis, praising her “excellent intelligence, charm, and humor.”
Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, acknowledged the immense transformation the Queen witnessed throughout her reign, but stated that she “remained a symbol of solid, responsible leadership and a beacon of decency, humanism, and patriotism” despite this.
Princes Charles, Edward, William, and the late Prince Philip, whose mother is buried in Jerusalem, visited Israel, but the Queen did not.
President Herzog remarked, “Queen Elizabeth was a historical figure: she lived history, she made history, and with her passing, she leaves behind a great, inspiring legacy.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah II stated that his nation “mourns the passing of an iconic statesman.” He described the Queen as “a beacon of knowledge and principled leadership… a partner for Jordan and a cherished family friend” when she visited Jordan in 1984.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted that he learned of “this irreparable loss” with “great regret.”
And Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who saw the Queen on multiple occasions and held her waiting for 14 minutes on one occasion, extended his “deepest sympathies” to King Charles III.
Mr. Putin wrote in a statement, “The most significant events in modern British history are inexorably linked with the name of Her Majesty.” “
Elizabeth II enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects and power on the international scene for many decades.”
As a result of its invasion of Ukraine, Western nations, including the UK, have imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia.
African leaders also offered their condolences to Queen Elizabeth, who knew many of them well and was sympathetic to their situation as the head of the Commonwealth.
William Ruto, the incoming president of Kenya, acknowledged her “historical legacy” and stated that Kenyans would “miss the friendly ties she enjoyed” with the country.
The queen held Kenya, a former British colony that gained independence in 1963, in the highest regard. In the beginning, it was where she became queen. The young princess, who was just 25 years old at the time, was on vacation there in 1952 when her father, King George VI, died in his sleep.
Gabon, one of the newest states to join the Commonwealth, is led by President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who stated, “The Queen was a great friend of Africa, and Africa reciprocated her affection.”
President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana stated that his country has pleasant recollections of the Queen’s two visits, citing “her warmth, grace, style, and sheer delight she brought to the execution of her duties.”
Her first visit to Ghana, another former British colony, was contentious, and there were safety worries for the monarch. Five days previously, bombs had exploded in Accra, the capital, but this did not dissuade the Queen, who had already canceled a previous visit when she became pregnant with Prince Andrew.
