'End of an Age': Liz Truss, PM Modi, Other World Leaders Condole Queen’s Death
UK PM Liz Truss called her death "the passing of the second Elizabethan age."
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After the royal family confirmed that Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in the history of the United Kingdom, passed away on Thursday, 8 September, at the age of 96, tributes poured in from across the world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and UK's new PM Liz Truss, United States President Joe Biden, and French President Emmanuel Macron were among several world leaders who reacted to her death.
'God Save the King': UK PM Liz Truss
UK's new prime minister, Liz Truss, made an address to the nation on the steps of Downing Street, saying that Queen Elizabeth II's death comes as a "huge shock to the nation and the world."
She called her death "the passing of the second Elizabethan age."
She said the Queen was a personal inspiration to her as well as many Britons and that "her devotion to duty is an example to us all."
Addressing the ascension of the new king, she said, "Today the Crown passes, as it has done for more than a thousand years, to our new monarch, our new head of state, His Majesty King Charles III.
"With the King's family we mourn the loss of his mother and come together. We offer him our loyalty and devotion, just as his mother devoted so much to us for so long. God save the King."
Truss' predecessor, Boris Johnson, released a three-part statement on his Twitter page.
‘A Stalwart of Our Times’: PM 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," PM Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter.
He even recounted an interaction with her.
"In the demise of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of UK, the world has lost a great personality. An era has passed since she steered her country and people for over 7 decades. I share the grief of people of UK and convey my heartfelt condolence to the family," India's president Droupadi Murmu tweeted.
‘More Than a Monarch’: Joe Biden
"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era," United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said in their statement.
"Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. She helped make our relationship special," the statement said.
"We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are not only mourning their Queen, but their dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world," it added.
Later in the day, Biden visited the British embassy in Washington DC to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth and sign a book of condolences.
Former President Donald Trump also released a long statement, in which he called Queen Elizabeth II "a grand and beautiful lady."
"Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain. Her leadership and enduring diplomacy secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world," he said.
His predecessor Barack Obama wrote, "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."
‘A Kind-Hearted Queen’: Macron
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, initially tweeted a picture of Queen Elizabeth II.
"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 added in a subsequent tweet.
'A Constant Presence in Our Lives': Trudeau
"It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter.
"As we look back at her life and her reign that spanned so many decades, Canadians will always remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion, and warmth. Our thoughts are with the members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time," he added.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the Queen as a "role model and inspiration for millions" and lauded her role in repairing relations between the UK and Germany after World War II. "She will be missed, not least her wonderful humour," he said.
'Few Have Known a World Without Queen': Australian PM
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the Queen saying she was "a monarch who let her humanity show."
Albanese said, "This is a loss we all feel, for few have known a world without Queen Elizabeth II. In her seven remarkable decades on the throne, Her Majesty was a rare and reassuring constant amidst rapid change. Through the noise and tumult of the years, she embodied and exhibited a timeless decency and an enduring calm."
'A Reassuring Presence Through Decades of Change': UN Chief Guterres
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences and said in a tweet, "I am deeply saddened at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, admired worldwide for her leadership and devotion."
Meanwhile, Pope Francis also paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
He also offered a prayer for King Charles, saying, "Commending her noble soul to the merciful goodness of our Heavenly Father, I assure Your Majesty of my prayers that Almighty God will sustain you with his unfailing grace as you now take up your high responsibilities as King," BBC reported.
Brazil Declares 3-Day Mourning Period
In light of the Queen's demise, Brazil's president has declared an official three-day mourning period.
"When life seems difficult, the brave don't lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are even more determined to fight for a better future - with these words, Queen Elizabeth II shows why she was not just the Queen of the British, but a queen to us all," Jair Bolsanaro tweeted.
The Argentinian foreign ministry, in a tweet, say "the government of the Argentine Republic expresses its sorrow for her passing and accompanies the British people and her family in this moment of grief."
Japan PM Expresses Deep Sorrow
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also expressed his "deep sorrow" at the queen's passing, saying "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," reported BBC.
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