The world mourns to the Queen’s passing.
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history and an icon instantly recognisable to billions of people around the world, has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.
Her eldest son, Charles, 73, succeeds as king immediately, according to centuries of protocol, beginning a new, less certain chapter for the royal family after the queen’s record-breaking 70-year reign.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute Thursday to Queen Elizabeth II, saying the late head of state for both Britain and this Commonwealth nation will “forever remain an important part” of Canada’s history.
“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 said, adding that she will be remembered for her “wisdom, compassion and warmth.”
UK’s PM says late queen was ‘loved and admired around the world’
Prime Minister Liz Truss said Thursday Queen Elizabeth II was “loved and admired around the world”, as she paid tribute to Britain’s longest-serving monarch shortly after her death was announced.
“The death of Her Majesty the Queen is a huge shock to the nation and to the world,” Truss said in a short address on the steps of Downing Street, just two days after the Queen appointed her the UK’s new leader.
NATO chief hails ‘selfless leadership’ of Queen Elizabeth II
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday expressed his “deepest condolences” over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, hailing her leadership through seven decades.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Over more than 70 years, she exemplified selfless leadership and public service,” Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.
“My deepest condolences to the Royal Family, to our NATO Allies the United Kingdom and Canada, and to the people of the Commonwealth.”
Israeli PM salutes Queen Elizabeth II, sends condolences
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday sent his condolences to the British royal family following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and said she left behind an “unparallelled legacy”.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Israel, I send my condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” he said on Twitter. “She leaves behind an unparallelled legacy of leadership and service.”
Pakistan president hails queen as ‘great and beneficent ruler’
Pakistan President Arif Alvi, head of state of the second most populous country in the commonwealth of former British colonies, hailed Queen Elizabeth II as a “great and beneficent ruler” following her death Thursday.
Her departure has left an immense vacuum, he said, adding she “would be remembered in golden words in the annals of world history”.
Ukraine’s Zelensky says queen’s death is ‘irreparable loss’
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that it was with “deep sadness” that he had learned of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“On behalf of the Ukrainian people, we extend sincere condolences to the royal family, the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss,” Zelensky said in message on social media.
Queen’s death ‘profoundly sad moment for the UK’: Scotland’s Sturgeon
Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon, who supports independence for Scotland from the rest of Britain, said Thursday the queen’s death was “a profoundly sad moment for the UK, the Commonwealth and the world”.
“Her life was one of extraordinary dedication and service,” Sturgeon tweeted, adding: “On behalf of the people of Scotland, I convey my deepest condolences to The King and the Royal Family.”
NZealand hails ‘extraordinary’ late queen, proclaims king as new head of state
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday paid tribute to the “extraordinary” life of the country’s late monarch Queen Elizabeth II, and declared the new king as head of state.
“She was extraordinary,” said Ardern, ordering flags to fly at half-staff and a state memorial service to be held, as her office stated that “the new king becomes New Zealand’s new head of state.”
EU chief Michel salutes ‘Elizabeth the Steadfast’
European Union leaders expressed regret Thursday after Queen Elizabeth II, the British head of state throughout Britain’s entire EU membership and eventual departure, died.
“Once called ‘Elizabeth the Steadfast’, she never failed to show us the importance of lasting values in a modern world with her service and commitment,” EU council president Charles Michel tweeted.
Irish president calls queen ‘remarkable friend of Ireland’
President Michael D. Higgins called Queen Elizabeth II “a remarkable friend of Ireland” who had “great impact on the bonds of mutual understanding between our two peoples”, following her death on Thursday.
“As we offer our condolences to all our neighbours in the United Kingdom, following the loss of a remarkable friend of Ireland, we remember the role Queen Elizabeth played in celebrating the warm and enduring friendship” between both countries, he said in a statement.
UN chief pays tribute to queen’s ‘grace, dignity, and dedication’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid homage Thursday to Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch who has died at age 96.
“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. She was a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change,” Guterres said in a statement.
W.House says ‘our hearts and our thoughts’ go to queen’s family and British people
The White House expressed deep sympathies Thursday at the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, noting she was the leader of one of the United States’ strongest allies.
“Our hearts and our thoughts go to the family members of the queen (and) to the people of the United Kingdom,” said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, minutes after the death of the 96-year-old sovereign was announced.
