World leaders paid homage to Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, after she died aged 96 in her Scottish summer residence following nearly a year of ailing health.
Here are some of the tributes to Britain’s longest-serving monarch, who is also head of state in 14 Commonwealth countries around the world:
UK PM mourns ‘second Elizabethan age’ after queen’s death
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UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, only two days into the job, addressed the nation Thursday from the steps of 10 Downing Street shortly after news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death was announced.
A man wears the Union flag honouring Queen Elizabeth II as he stands in front of Buckingham Palace in London, on Thursday, 8 September 2022. Source: AAP / AP
“We are all devastated by the news we have just heard from Balmoral. The death of Her Majesty the Queen is a huge shock to the nation and to the world. “Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built.
“Our country has grown and flourished under her reign. Britain is the great country it is today because of her. She ascended the throne just after the Second World War.
“Through thick and thin, Queen Elizabeth II provided us with the stability and the strength that we needed.
“Her life of service stretched beyond most of our living memories. In return, she was loved and admired by the people in the United Kingdom and all around the world.
“In the difficult days ahead, we will come together with our friends — across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world — to celebrate her extraordinary lifetime of service.
“It is a day of great loss, but Queen Elizabeth II leaves a great legacy. Today the Crown passes — as it is has done for more than a thousand years — to our new monarch, our new head of state: His Majesty King Charles III. And as we mourn, we must come together as a people to support him.
Tributes are laid outside of Windsor Castle after the death of Queen Elizabeth II Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
“And with the passing of the second Elizabethan age, we usher in a new era in the magnificent history of our great country — exactly as Her Majesty would have wished — by saying the words: God save the King.”
‘I will miss her’
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor-General Mary Simon joined world leaders on Thursday in offering condolences to the British Royal Family on the death of the Queen.
Mr Trudeau expressed his condolences from Vancouver, as he wrapped up a three-day cabinet retreat.
“It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Mr Trudeau said in a tweet.
“She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history,” he wrote.
Speaking to reporters after the retreat, Mr Trudeau, wearing a dark suit, called Queen Elizabeth “one of my favorite people in the world.” “I will miss her so,” he said.
Although Canada ceased being a colony of Britain in 1867, it remained a member of the British Empire, with a British-appointed governor-general acting on behalf of the monarch.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Governor-General Simon said.
‘A stateswoman of unmatched dignity’
US President Joe Biden paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth as a “stateswoman of unmatched dignity,” and said he looked forward to working with her son King Charles, noting their already “close friendship.”
“Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States,” Mr Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden said in a statement.
“She helped make our relationship special,” he said.
Mr Biden said he first met the queen in 1982 when he was a US senator and last saw her in June 2021 during his first foreign trip as president — the 14th American president she had met.
“She was the first British monarch to whom people all around the world could feel a personal and immediate connection,” the Bidens said.
“She, in turn, dedicated her whole life to their service,” they said.
People gather outside the gates of the Buckingham Palace in London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday, 8 September 2022. Source: AAP / PA
“In the years ahead, we look forward to continuing a close friendship with the king and the queen consort,” they said, referring to Elizabeth’s son and heir King Charles and his wife.
“Today, the thoughts and prayers of people all across the United States are with the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in their grief,” they said.
‘A time of deep sadness’
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has offered condolences to the “extraordinary” Queen Elizabeth II as New Zealand moves to a period of official mourning.
New Zealand’s Queen and head of state died early in the morning local time, with Ms Ardern woken by “a police officer shining a torch into my room” to be told the news.
Speaking in Wellington alongside a framed picture of Her Majesty shortly after, the prime minister said New Zealand was experiencing “a time of deep sadness”.
People gather outside Buckingham Palace in London as a double rainbow appears in the sky, on Thursday, 8 September 2022. Source: AAP / AP
“I know I speak for all New Zealanders in conveying our deepest sympathy to members of the Royal family and condolences to King Charles III at this time of enormous loss,” she said.
“A chapter is closing today. With that we remember an incredible woman that we were lucky to call our Queen.
“She was extraordinary. She was a woman who worked into her 90s. The last days of the Queen’s life captures who she was in so many ways, working to the very end on behalf of the people she loved.”
‘A kind-hearted queen’
French President Emmanuel Macron said the Queen embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years.
“I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.”
United Nations holds minutes of silence
The United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly each held a minute of silence Thursday to pay homage to Queen Elizabeth.
French ambassador Nicolas de Riviere, the current president of the council, expressed his “deepest condolences,” while the General Assembly’s President, Abdulla Shahid of Maldives, called it a “moment of grave sadness for the royal family.”
He said the assembly will hold an “official tribute” at a later date.
‘A reassuring presence’
“As the United Kingdom’s longest-lived and longest-reigning Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II was widely admired for her grace, dignity, and dedication around the world,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.
“She was a throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth.
“Queen Elizabeth II was a good friend of the United Nations, and visited our New York Headquarters twice, more than fifty years apart. She was deeply committed to many charitable and environmental causes and spoke movingly to delegates at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.
“I would like to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II for her unwavering, lifelong dedication to serving her people. The world will long remember her devotion and leadership.”
‘Ensured stability in times of crisis’
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Queen Elizabeth was a major player in world history over the last 70 years and represented the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth with “balance, wisdom, respect for institutions and democracy”.
“She has been the most beloved symbol of her country and has garnered respect, affection and warm feelings everywhere. She ensured stability in times of crisis and kept the value of tradition alive in a society in constant and profound evolution.”
‘Pained’ by her death
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “pained” by her death. Queen Elizabeth “provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people”, Mr Modi tweeted, adding she “personified dignity and decency in public life”.
In Pakistan, President Arif Alvi hailed Queen Elizabeth as a “great and beneficent ruler.” She “would be remembered in golden words in the annals of world history,” he said.
‘Extraordinary’
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his “profound and sincere condolences” over the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her Majesty was an extraordinary and world-renowned public figure who lived a remarkable life. Her life and legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world,” Mr Ramaphosa said.
“The Queen’s commitment and dedication during her 70 years on the throne remains a noble and virtuous example”.
‘Meant a great deal to us’
“Michelle and I were lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us,” Former US President Barack Obama said.
“Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humor and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance.”
‘Mourning the loss’
The smallest members of the Commonwealth also paid their respects.
David Burt, premier of the tiny island of Bermuda, which is still a British overseas territory, hailed her “life of undimmed duty,” adding that she was also “a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and her family is now mourning that loss.”
‘Symbol of reconciliation’
Others who have taken a less friendly view of Britain also sent tributes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to King Charles III, wishing the new monarch “courage and resilience” after his mother’s passing — even as Britain leads the West in imposing sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
In 2000, Queen Elizabeth II received flowers from members of the crowd in Central Park, Bourke, Australia during her tour of the country. Source: AAP / PA / Fiona Hanson
While Germany, which in the queen’s lifetime went from Britain’s greatest enemy to a powerful ally, hailed her as a “symbol of reconciliation” after two world wars.
“Her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War II will remain unforgotten,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Argentina, which fought and lost a bitter war with Britain over the Falkland Islands in 1982, expressed its “regret” over Elizabeth’s passing.
In a terse statement from the foreign ministry, the government offered its sorrow and said it “accompanies the British people and her family in this moment of grief.”
Pope prays
In the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was “deeply saddened” by her death and would pray for the late queen as well as King Charles.
‘Elizabeth the Steadfast’
European Union leaders expressed regret at the death of the queen, who was Britain’s head of state throughout its entire EU membership and eventual departure.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II at the Beehive in Wellington, New Zealand. Source: AAP / Mark Mitchell/AP
“Once called ‘Elizabeth the Steadfast’, she never failed to show us the importance of lasting values in a modern world,” said EU council president Charles Michel.
Fellow monarchs
Philippe, King of the Belgians and who has a close family link to the British aristocracy, hailed the queen as “an extraordinary personality.”
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix said they “feel a strong bond with the United Kingdom and its royal family, and we share their sorrow at this time.”
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden called her “a good friend of my family and a link to our common family history.”
And Spanish King Felipe VI said she “wrote the most relevant chapters of history.”
‘Remarkable friend’
Ireland’s President Michael Higgins called Queen Elizabeth II “a remarkable friend” who had “great impact on the bonds of mutual understanding between our two peoples”.
Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon, who supports Scotland’s independence from the rest of Britain, called her death “a profoundly sad moment for the UK, the Commonwealth and the world.”
Queen ‘to all of us’
Even far-right President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, which does not have particularly close ties to Britain, paid homage. Mr Bolsonaro, seeking re-election next month, declared three days of national mourning and called Elizabeth “a queen not just to Britons, but to all of us.”
‘Characterised by dignity’
UAE’S President Mohammed Bin Zayed said: “Her Majesty was a close friend of the UAE and a beloved & respected leader whose long reign was characterised by dignity, compassion & a tireless commitment to serving her country.”
While King Abdullah of Jordan said the Queen “was a beacon of wisdom and principled leadership for seven decades”.
“She was a partner for Jordan and a dear family friend. We stand with the people and leadership of the UK at this difficult time.”
