King Charles III is greeted by well-wishers during a walkabout to view tributes left outside Buckingham Palace, London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.POOL/Reuters
Members of the Royal Family, Canadian politicians and world leaders have been sharing their memories of Queen Elizabeth, who died Thursday at age 96.
As Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, she served for more than 70 years on the throne, and was Queen of Canada and 14 other countries.
Here’s a look at the social media reaction and statements from around the world.
Reaction from Britain
King Charles III
Prince Charles has acceded to the throne as King Charles. He released his first official statement as His Majesty The King, calling the Queen’s death “a moment of greatest sadness.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a tribute on the website of their foundation, Archewell. A message written in white text over a black background is featured on the homepage: “In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022.”
British Prime Minister Liz Truss
British Prime Minister Liz Truss, appointed by the Queen just 48 hours earlier, told those gathered outside Downing Street that the country was “devastated” and added: “It is a day of great loss, but Queen Elizabeth II leaves a great legacy.”
Former British prime minster Boris Johnson
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that Britain felt a deep and personal sense of loss at the passing of Queen Elizabeth, paying his tribute to the monarch: “Wave after wave of grief is rolling across the world, from Balmoral – where our thoughts are with all the Royal Family – and breaking far beyond this country and throughout that great Commonwealth of nations that she so cherished and which cherished her in return.”
Reaction from Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Queen Elizabeth brought “comfort and strength” to her role as monarch and will be missed deeply by Canadians for her “deep abiding love and affection” for this country.
Governor-General Mary Simon
Governor-General Mary Simon issued a statement, saying she has offered the country’s deepest condolences to the Royal Family and urged Canadians to take “a moment to honour Her Majesty’s memory in each of our own ways.”
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney said he had a “long and very friendly” relationship with the Queen, spanning his nine years in office and many social gatherings after he left office in 1993. “She was extremely intelligent, very knowledgeable, very subtle in her approach and devoted to concrete results,” he said in an interview with The Globe Thursday.
Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen
Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen said Canadians mourn the “longest-reigning monarch” who witnessed Canada’s growth into a vibrant and self-assured nation, including putting her signature to the 1982 Constitution Act that brought in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who was taking part in a caucus meeting in Halifax, issued a brief statement to reporters to express sadness at the passing of the Queen on behalf of his party: “For many Canadians, Elizabeth represents the only monarch they’ve known in their entire lives. She served over seventy years as monarch and lived a life of service,” he said. “She also represents stability, and the loss is going to be felt.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford tweeted a statement saying “Long live the King!”
Former prime minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper told The Globe Queen Elizabeth “loved Canada with all her heart and was truly one of us,” and he spoke about how warm and engaging she was with him in personal discussions. “Working to her last days, she served selflessly as a living reminder of the proud history each Canadian has inherited,” he said.
Reaction from around the world
U.S. President Joe Biden and Jill Biden
“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,” they said in a statement. “Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world.”
Former U.S. president Barack Obama
Former U.S. President Barack Obama posted a tribute on his Instagram page: “Today, Michelle and I join so many others who are celebrating her life and mourning her passing.”
Former U.S. president Donald Trump
Former U.S. president Donald Trump called the late Queen a “great woman.” “Who could be greater than what she’s done? And she did it so long, so well and never made mistakes,” Mr. Trump said.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that throughout the Queen’s 70-year reign, and as the world faced upheaval, she “personified a sense of stability.” “During a time of tremendous division, she was a source of unity,” Mr. Blinken said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Queen’s passing is being felt deeply in Australia, across the Commonwealth and around the world. “There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love.’ ”
The Prime Minister's statement on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. pic.twitter.com/P6l00TQkId
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 8, 2022
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted photos from his 2015 and 2018 visits with Queen Elizabeth on Twitter and said: “She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people. She personified dignity and decency in public life. Pained by her demise.”
French President Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement on Twitter that 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,” Mr. Macron said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
The Queen was a role model and inspiration for millions of people, including in Germany, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. “Her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War II will remain unforgotten. She will be missed, not least her wonderful humour.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has expressed New Zealanders’ deep sadness at the passing of Queen Elizabeth, describing her as a monarch with an unwavering sense of duty. “I know that I speak for people across New Zealand in offering our deepest sympathy to members of the Royal Family at the passing of the Queen. To us, she was a much admired and respected monarch, to them, she was a mother and grandmother,” Ms. Ardern said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, called the Queen “a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth.”
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
“Deeply grieved at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Pakistan joins the UK & other Commonwealth nations in mourning her death. My heartfelt condolences to the royal family, people & government of the UK.”
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades offered condolences for the Queen’s passing, posting on his official Twitter account, “our thoughts are with the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom.”
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis
The office of Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis said he sent a condolence message to King Charles III on Friday following the “painful loss” of Queen Elizabeth II: “On behalf of the Romanian people and myself, I wish to convey to Your Majesty, the entire Royal Family and the British people my condolences and sympathy for the painful loss suffered.”
French President Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “deep sadness” and a sense of “emptiness” after the passing of the monarch and praised her “great affection for France.” Macron said in a video message that the queen mastered “our language, loved our culture and touched our hearts.”
Dalai Lama
The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Friday expressed his deep sadness over the death of Queen Elizabeth II and offered his condolences to her family and the British people. In a letter to King Charles III, he said “I remember seeing photographs of her coronation in magazines when I was young in Tibet... Your mother lived a meaningful life with dignity, grace, a strong sense of service and a warm heart, qualities we all should treasure.”
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that for many years Elizabeth visited the island every decade. “Undoubtedly, she formed a special bond with the people of Jamaica,” he said. “We are saddened that we will not see her light again, but we will remember her historic reign.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to King Charles III: “For many decades, Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage. I wish you courage and perseverance in the face of this heavy, irreparable loss,” Putin wrote.
Chinese President Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to King Charles on Friday, expressing “deep condolences.” According to state media, Mr. Xi noted the Queen was the first British monarch to visit China and that she “won wide acclaim” during her reign. “Her death is a great loss to the British people,” the Chinese leader added.
With reports from Robert Fife, Reuters and The Canadian Press.
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