WORLD IN MOURNING
World leaders remember ‘kind-hearted’ Queen who ‘defined an era’ as she dies after seven decades of service
WORLD leaders have paid tribute to a "kind-hearted" Queen who "defined an era" after Her Majesty died.
Her Majesty, who reigned for 70 years, passed away at Balmoral on Thursday.
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Members of the Royal Family, politicians, religious figures and celebrities from across the world have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth while emotional Brits have gathered outside Royal sites.
Prime Minister Liz Truss was one of the first to pay tribute as she gave a statement outside of Downing Street.
The PM, who was pictured in the Queen's last photograph on Tuesday, said: "Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was born. Our country has grown and flourished under her reign."
And she was joined by French President Emmanuel Macron, who wrote in a statement: "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."
'DEFINED AN ERA'
President Joe Biden spoke of the Queen as a "source of comfort and pride" as he released a lengthy statement on her life.
He said: "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era.
"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.
"An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people across the Commonwealth. The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity.
"She was the first British monarch to whom people all around the world could feel a personal and immediate connection — whether they heard her on the radio as a young princess speaking to the children of the United Kingdom, or gathered around their televisions for her coronation, or watched her final Christmas speech or her Platinum Jubilee on their phones.
"And she, in turn, dedicated her whole life to their service."
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted: "It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"On behalf of the people, we extend sincere condolences to the Royal Family, the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
And warmonger Putin also extended his sympathy to the Royal Family.
In his message he said the Queen "rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage".
And The Dalai Lama has expressed his "deep sadness" over the death of the Queen in a letter to King Charles III.
"I remember seeing photographs of her coronation in magazines when I was young in Tibet," he told the King.
"Her reign, as Britain's longest-serving monarch, represented celebration, inspiration and a reassuring sense of continuity for so many people alive today.
"Your mother lived a meaningful life with dignity, grace, a strong sense of service and a warm heart, qualities we all should treasure."
The world is now in mourning after the Queen passed away on September 9.
The Queen's funeral is set to take place 10 days after her passing.
Charles, who became King following the death of his mother, paid tribute to his "much loved mother" and Britain's "cherished Sovereign".
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He said: "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother.
"I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."
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Charles added: "In the hearts of every one of us there is an ache at the passing of our Queen, a deep and personal sense of loss - far more intense, perhaps, than we expected.
"In these first grim moments since the news, I know that millions and millions of people have been pausing whatever they have been doing, to think about Queen Elizabeth, about the bright and shining light that has finally gone out."
Meanwhile Pope Francis said: "I willingly join all who mourn her loss in praying for the late Queens eternal rest, and in paying tribute to her life of unstinting service to the good of the Nation and the Commonwealth."
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern described the Queen as an "extraordinary", recalling how she offered her advice on juggling leadership and motherhood.
She told how she was woken up at 5am by a police officer shining a torch into her bedroom who broke the news.
Ardern said she had been keeping a close eye on updates regarding the Queen's ill health before she went to sleep.
The PM poignantly added: "When that torchlight came into my room I knew immediately what it meant.
"Here is a woman who gave her life, utterly, to the service of others.
"And regardless of what anyone thinks of the role of monarchies around the world, there is undeniably, I think here, a display of someone who gave everything on behalf of her people, and her people included the people of Aotearoa New Zealand."
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of his nation's "great sorrow" after hearing of the monarch's passing.
He praised her "courage, tenacity and unwavering dignity" in a video tribute shared on Friday morning.
The leader added: "To you, she was your Queen. To us, she was the Queen. To us all, she would be with us forever."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also a part of the outpouring of grief following the news.
He said: "It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canadas 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."
"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."
'REMARKABLE LIFE'
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said: "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."
And Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the hearts of his people go out to mourning Brits.
He said: "With the passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second, an historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end.
"Australian hearts go out to the people of the United Kingdom who mourn today, knowing they will feel they have lost part of what makes their nation whole."
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby added his voice to the tributes.
He said: "As we grieve together, we know that, 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."
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was also among those reflecting on the Queen's incredible life.
He said: "We have lost not just our monarch but the matriarch of our nation, the figure who more than any other brought our country together, kept us in touch with our better nature, personified everything which makes us proud to be British."
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Dignified, humble, wise, stoic and dedicated to duty & service to the country she loved.
- Piers Morgan
The former American President Barack Obama reflected on the time he met the Queen as he looked back on her life.
He said in a statement: "Michelle and I were lucky enough to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us.
"Back when we were just beginning to navigate life as President and First Lady, she welcomed us to the world stage with open arms and extraordinary generosity.
"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."
Obama also referenced the Queen's most memorable and joyful moments as monarch, including her comic role in the London Olympics Opening Ceremony and the stirring messages of inspiration she provided at the beginning of the pandemic.
Obama's successor Donald Trump also spoke about the Queen after her death and insisted there was "nobody like her!"
Trump, who met the Queen when he was president, wrote on his social media platform Truth: ";Melania and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"Together with our family and fellow Americans, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom during this time of great sorrow and grief.
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"Melania and I will always cherish our time together with the Queen, and never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor. What a grand and beautiful lady she was—there was nobody like her!"
The leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer said the country was mourning a "remarkable sovereign."
He added: "We will always treasure Queen Elizabeth II's life of service and devotion to our nation and the Commonwealth; our longest-serving and greatest monarch.
"Above the clashes of politics, she stood not for what the nation fought over, but what it agreed upon. As Britain changed rapidly around her, this dedication became the still point of our turning world."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz offered his condolences while describing the Monarch as a "role model".
He said: "We mourn Queen Elizabeth II. She was a role model and inspiration for millions, including here in Germany.
"Her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War II will not be forgotten. She will be missed, not least her wonderful sense of humour."
And EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen dubbed the Queen a "beacon of continuity" while paying tribute.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tenderly added: "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."
Elton John was among the celebrities paying tribute as the nation reacted to the Queen's death.
He described the Queen as an "inspiring presence" and said he would "miss her dearly".
The musical megastar said the Queen had been a huge part of his life "from childhood to this day" in his own online tribute.
"Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's passing," Sir Elton wrote.
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
"She was an inspiring presence to be around, and lead the country through some of our greatest, and darkest, moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth.
"Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly."
Talk TV's Piers Morgan said the country would forever be in debt to her Majesty after her years of service.
He said: "RIP Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 96. The greatest Monarch in history, and the greatest of Britons. Dignified, humble, wise, stoic, and dedicated to duty & service to the country she loved.
"Thank you for everything, Ma’am. We will be forever indebted to you."
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Former Prime Minister John Major said the Queen had "a great wealth of knowledge" in his comments on her life.
He added: "I think it's a very sad day. We all realised one day it would come and we all hoped it would be far distant rather than near to us. I think there will be many tears shed at the loss of her Majesty."
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