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World leaders react to the death of Queen Elizabeth II

09 Sep 2022 | Updated on: 27 Sep 2022 |By Luxury London

The international royalty and world leaders have paid tribute to the Queen

On 8 September 2022, HM Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle, aged 96. Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Elizabeth II was crowned Queen aged just 26, going on to serve for a landmark 70 years to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year. And as crowds of mourners gathered outside Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Balmoral estate, there has been an outpouring of condolences and thanksgiving from international royals and political leaders, looking back on a life of service to Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

International royalty

The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York and ex-wife of Prince Andrew, posted a moving message on her Twitter account, expressing her heartbreak and sadness at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Ferguson called Her Majesty “the most incredible mother-in-law and friend” adding that she “will miss her more than words can express.”

The Belgian Royal Family

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium offered their condolences and sympathies in a moving statement posted on social media. “We will always keep fond memories of this great Lady who, throughout her reign, showed dignity, courage and devotion,” they said. “Rest in peace, Your Majesty, with your beloved husband.”

Queen Margarethe II of Denmark

Denmark’s Queen Margarethe II, who is set to celebrate her own Golden Jubilee this weekend, issued a statement to the Danish Royal family’s Instagram, addressed to King Charles III. In her moving tribute, Queen Margarethe sent the King and Queen Consort, Camilla, her warmest thoughts and prayers. “Your mother was very important to me and my family,” Queen Margarethe said. “She was a towering figure among the European monarchs and a great inspiration to us all. We shall miss her terribly.”

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

In two statements, issued last night and earlier today, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden expressed his deep condolences for his “dear relative, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.” He added: “Her Late Majesty was an inspiration to the world in her outstanding dedication and duty to her countries and to the Commonwealth. The Anglo-Swedish bonds and the friendship between our peoples are centuries old. On behalf of the people of Sweden, I extend my sincere condolences to Your Majesties and the Royal family, as well as to the people of the United Kingdom.”

King Felipe VI of Spain

In a telegram addressed to HM King Charles and posted on Twitter, Spanish King Felipe VI offered his heartfelt condolences on behalf of himself, his family, and the Spanish people. “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has undoubtedly witnessed, written and shaped many of the most relevant chapters in the history of our world during the last seven decades,” he said. “Queen Letizia and I send Your Majesty and the whole Family our love and prayers. You are all in our hearts and thoughts. We will miss Her dearly.”

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands

The Dutch Royal family issued a joint statement of remembrance online, in which they remembered Her Majesty with “deep respect and great affection.” They went on to say, “we feel a strong bond with the United Kingdom and its royal family, and we share their sorrow at this time. We are very grateful for our countries’ close friendship, to which Queen Elizabeth made such an unforgettable contribution.”

Royal Family of Norway

The Norwegian Royal Family shared their own moving statement on Instagram, sharing their deep sadness at the passing of Her Majesty. “Our thoughts are with His Majesty The King and the members of the Royal Family on the loss of Queen Elizabeth,” the statement said. “Her Majesty devoted her life to the service of the Commonwealth, following the British people through good days and bad, in times of happiness and sorrow.” King Harald V, the Queen’s second cousin, has ordered that a flag will be flown at half-mast from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo today and on the day of Her Majesty’s funeral.

World Leaders

Prime Minister Liz Truss

Prime Minister Liz Truss made a statement outside 10 Downing Street on Thursday evening, hailing the Queen as “the rock on which modern Britain was built.” The PM went on to say that she saw Queen Elizabeth as an inspiration, noting that Her Majesty leaves a great legacy.

Sir Kier Starmer, leader of the opposition

In a statement posted to Twitter, Sir Kier Starmer KC, leader of the Labour Party, noted the deep, private loss of the Royal family, a loss the British public shares in. He praised the Queen’s lifetime of service and devotion, adding “above the clashes of politics, she stood not for what the nation fought over, but what it agreed upon… For 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II stood as the head of our country. But, in spirit, she stood among us.”

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, has called the passing of Her Majesty “a profoundly sad moment for the UK, the Commonwealth and the world,” noting the Queen’s dedication and service. Sturgeon went on to offer her condolences to King Charles and the Royal Family.

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford took to Twitter to express his great sadness at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. “As our longest reigning monarch, she firmly upheld the values and traditions of the British Monarchy,” he said. Adding, “on behalf of the people of Wales I offer our deepest condolences to Her Majesty’s family during this sad time.”

First Minister (designate) of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill

First Minister (designate) of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill also took to social media, expressing the “deep regret” with which she learned of the Queen’s passing. The nationalist Vice President of Sinn Féin was diplomatic in her statement, adding that she “wish[ed] to especially acknowledge the profound sorrow of our neighbours from within the unionist community who will feel her loss deeply,” and recognising Her Majesty’s “significant contribution and determined efforts to advancing peace and reconciliation between our two islands.”

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins

Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland shared a moving statement on his official website in which he recounted the Queen’s State Visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011 and the hospitality Her Majesty showed on his own State Visit to the UK in 2014.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin

Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland), Micheál Martin, issued a statement recognising the Queen’s historic reign and noting the improved relations between Britain and Ireland since Her Majesty was crowned. He expressed his sincerest sympathies to HM King Charles, the Royal Family, the UK Government and the British people.

US President Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden issued a joint statement with the First Lady, Dr Jill Biden, shortly after news broke of the Queen’s passing. “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch,” it read. “She defined an era.” President Biden’s statement went on to hail Her Majesty as “a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy,” noting her role in fortifying the special relationship Britain shares with the USA.

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, issued a solemn response in which he honoured Queen Elizabeth’s commitment to the Commonwealth and to Canada. “Her Majesty vowed to devote her life to the service of the Commonwealth and its people. On behalf of all Canadians, I thank Queen Elizabeth II for honouring this vow and for a lifetime of service.”

Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern

Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern addressed the Commonwealth nation this morning live on television, saying “the last days of the Queen’s life capture who she was in so many ways. Working till the very end, on behalf of the people she loved.” Ardern went on to announce New Zealand’s official plans for mourning, calling the Queen “extraordinary.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese shared some of Queen Elizabeth II’s words in his solemn statement. “There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love,’” he said, acknowledging the great loss many throughout Britain and the Commonwealth are sharing. “Happy and glorious but steadfast too,” he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron took to Twitter on Thursday night to share a moving tribute to the Queen, saying, “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 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.” He perhaps said it best when he went on to comment, “To you, she was your Queen. To us, she was The Queen. She will be with all of us forever.”

Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shared a brief statement of condolence on Twitter, saying: “We mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II. She was a role model and inspiration for millions, also here in Germany. 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.”

President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama

Former President of the US, Barack Obama, issued a joint statement with his wife, Michelle. Shared on Twitter, with the message, “like so many of you, Michelle and I are grateful to have witnessed Her Majesty’s dedicated leadership, and we are awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service,” the Obama’s statement was a fitting tribute to Her Majesty, who offered them hospitality and generosity at the beginning of their time in the White House.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted his tribute to Twitter, saying, “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.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi called Queen Elizabeth II “a stalwart of our times,” adding that she “personified dignity and decency in public life.” He later shared two photographs of himself with the Queen on state visits to the UK, alongside a short anecdote recounting a meeting during which Her Majesty showed him a handkerchief given to her by Mahatma Gandhi for her wedding. “I will always cherish that gesture,” Modi said.

President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also shared his statement on Twitter, with two photographs of himself and Her Majesty at the Commonwealth Meeting of 2018. “We spent some time looking at letters that former President Nelson Mandela sent to the Queen, and we reminisced about the great stateman that Her Majesty so respected,” Ramaphosa said, adding that, Queen Elizabeth II’s “life & legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world.”

President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi

In Pakistan, President Dr. Arif Alvi paid a visit to the British High Commission, where he was received by British High Commissioner Christian Turner. The two shared fond memories of Her Majesty, including her visit to the country in 1961. President Dr. Alvi went on to call her “a symbol of poise, grace, and dignity.” His official statement noted the “immense vacuum” the Queen’s passing has left.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif

Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan shared a brief but heartfelt statement on Twitter, saying that he was “deeply grieved at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.” He offered his condolences to the Royal Family and people and government of the United Kingdom.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

The Mayor of London shared an emotional video tribute via social media, saying, “London, the nation and the world are in mourning as the sad news reaches us of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.” Khan went on to praise the Queen as “a source of great stability, inspiring hope during the most testing of times and exemplifying the best of what it means to be British.”

The Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Dalai Lama shared his own tribute to Her Majesty alongside extracts of a letter written to King Charles III, saying, “Her reign, as Britain’s longest serving monarch, represented celebration, inspiration and a reassuring sense of community for so many people alive today.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury

“It is with profound sadness that I join the nation, the Commonwealth and the world in mourning the death of Her Late Majesty The Queen,” said Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury in a statement shared online. “In losing our beloved Queen, we have lost the person whose steadfast loyalty, service and humility has helped us make sense of who we are through decades of extraordinary change in our world, nation and society.”

Chief Rabbi Mirvis

Chief Rabbi Mirvis shared a message on behalf of the Jewish communities of the Commonwealth. “The Queen embodied the most noble values of British society,” he said, going on to call Her Majesty “a rock of stability and a champion of timeless values.”

Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain

The Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain shared her own tribute online, expressing her sadness at hearing news of the Queen’s passing. “She was a figure of much hope in a country that has seen dramatic change,” Mohammed said. “The Queen leaves behind a legacy of public service.”

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