WORLD LEADERS’ MESSAGES ON THE PASSING OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II
source: BBC
Britain’s longest reigning monarch, Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, died Thursday 8 September in Balmoral castle Scotland, she was 96years and ruled for 70years.
President of France Emmanuel Macron led the condolence messages remembering her as “a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century”
US President Joe Biden said “In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her, adding that her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world”.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness
“It was with great and profound sadness, that I learnt of the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch, whose reign spanned seven decades. We join our brothers and sisters in the Commonwealth in mourning her passing, and pray for the comfort of the members of her family, and the people of the UK, as they grieve the loss of their beloved Queen and matriarch.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping “sincere sympathies to the British government and people” following the Queen’s death, adding: “Her passing is a great loss to the British
Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart of our times. She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people. She personified dignity and decency in public life. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and people of UK in this sad hour.”
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres mourned her loss in a statement, saying she was a “reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth.”
Pope Francis “I willingly join all who mourn her loss in praying for the late Queen’s eternal rest, and in paying tribute to her life of unstinting service to the good of the nation and the commonwealth.”
President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa “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. The Queen’s commitment and dedication during her 70 years on the throne remains a noble and virtuous example to the entire world.”
President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari
“Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the royal family, the people of the United Kingdom and the entire commonwealth as we join the entire world in mourning her loss, the story of modern Nigeria will never be complete without a chapter on Queen Elizabeth ll, a towering global personality and an outstanding leader, she dedicated her life to making her nation, the commonwealth and the entire world a better place”
EU Commission’s President Ursula Von der Leyen said the Queen’s “empathy and ability to connect with every passing generation, while remaining rooted in the tradition that truly mattered to her, was an example of true leadership”.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who is now the world’s only reigning female monarch, wrote to King Charles to express her condolences. “She was a towering figure among the European monarchs and great inspiration to us all,” She called the Queen’s 70-year reign in difficult and positive times an “unprecedented and remarkable achievement”.
King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands who is Queen Elizabeth’s fifth cousin – said he and Queen Maxima remembered the “steadfast and wise” monarch with “deep respect and great affection”.
Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf also a distant relative to Her Majesty, said: “She has always been dear to my family and a precious link in our shared family history”
Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde said she was “an extraordinary personality… who, throughout her reign, showed dignity, courage and devotion”.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid tribute to the Queen’s “wonderful humour” and said in a statement that “her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War Two will remain unforgotten”.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent their condolences describing her as “a role model for leadership that will be immortalised in history”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his “deep sorrow”. “The death of the queen, who led Britain through turbulent times in the world, is a great loss not only for the British people but also the international community,” he told reporters.
Irish President Michael D Higgins honoured the Queen’s “extraordinary sense of duty”, which he said will “hold a unique place in British history. Her reign of 70 years encompassed periods of enormous change, during which she represented a remarkable source of reassurance to the British people,” he said in a lengthy statement.
Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, spoke of the Queen’s reign as one of “historic duration” and described her passing as “the end of an era”. Her dedication to duty and public service were self-evident, her wisdom and experience truly unique,” he said in a statement.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia noted that many had never known a world without her. “Though the noise and tumult of the years, she embodied and exhibited a timeless decency and an enduring calm,” he said in a statement. She celebrated our good times, she stood with us in the bad. Happy and glorious, but steadfast too.”
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Ms Jacinda Ardern, described her as a much respected and admired monarch. “She was extraordinary… 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,”
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi
said the “beloved” monarch represented the UK and the Commonwealth with “balance and wisdom. She guaranteed stability in moments of crisis and kept alive the value of tradition in a society in constant and profound evolution. Her spirit of service, her dedication… the deep dignity with which she held office for such a long time have been a constant source of admiration for generations”.
Former US president Barack Obama said the Queen captivated the world with a reign of elegance and a tireless work ethic. “Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humour and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance,”
Former US president Donald Trump said he would “never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humuor
Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog said the queen throughout her reign, “remained an icon of stable, responsible leadership and a beacon of morality, humanity and patriotism, Queen Elizabeth was a historic figure: she lived history, she made history, and with her passing, she leaves a magnificent, inspirational legacy,”
King Abdullah II of Jordan said his country “mourns the passing of an iconic leader, beacon of wisdom and principled leadership… a partner for Jordan and a dear family friend”.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted that it was with “deep sadness” that he learned of “this irreparable loss”
Russian leader Vladimir Putin sent his “deepest condolences” to King Charles III. “The most important events in the recent history of the United Kingdom are inextricably linked with the name of Her Majesty,” he wrote in a statement.
Kenyan President-elect William Ruto praised her “historic legacy” and said Kenyans will “miss the cordial ties she enjoyed” with the country. Kenya, a former British colony that became independent in 1963, was a very special place for the monarch, it was where she became queen. The young princess, was on holiday there when her father, King George vi died in 1952.
