Aberdeenshire, 8 September 2022 (TDI): Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the nation’s icon for seven decades, has died at the age of 96. The official announcement was made by Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1567928275913121792
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Her eldest son, Charles, 73, naturally becomes King of the United Kingdom and fourteen other realms, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Shortly after the announcement, the first official statement of the King was released by the Palace in which he called the event a moment of great sadness for him and the family.
https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1567936934290329608
The newly appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss in a statement, called the Queen “the rock on which modern Britain was built.” She said the country has grown and flourished under her reign.
https://twitter.com/trussliz/status/1567948139658608646
Earlier On Thursday, Buckingham Palace had announced that doctors were concerned for the health of the Queen who was under medical supervision.
Her children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, gathered at Balmoral Castle to be with her.
Messages of condolences from around the world
Shortly after the official announcement, messages of grief and condolences from all over the world started pouring in.
Pakistan:
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed grief at the news and heartfelt condolences.
https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1567939349328584705
The President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi, expressed his sincere condolences to the Royal family, the government, and the people of Great Britain.
https://twitter.com/PresOfPakistan/status/1567934211637628940
Canada:
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, said, “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.”
He added, “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.”
https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1567934854624313349
United Nations:
Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, expressed his sadness over the news and said the Queen was admired worldwide for her leadership & devotion.
He called her a good friend to the United Nations.
https://twitter.com/antonioguterres/status/1567931086268944384
European Union:
President of the European Council, Charles Michel, tweeted, “Once called Elizabeth the Steadfast, she never failed to show us the importance of lasting values in a modern world with her service and commitment.”
https://twitter.com/CharlesMichel/status/1567930409383755776
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, said, “Queen Elizabeth Il’s remarkable reign oversaw key events of the 20th & 21st century. The EU pays tribute to her unique contribution to building peace & reconciliation
While her loss will be felt around the world, our immediate thoughts are with her family & the people of the UK”
https://twitter.com/JosepBorrellF/status/1567932532384997385
France:
The President of France, Emanuel Macron, said, the Queen embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years. He remembered her as a friend of France and a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.
https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1567932916734337024
Netherlands:
Dutch King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and Princess Beatrix said in a statement, “we remember Queen Elizabeth II with deep respect and great affection steadfast and wise, she dedicated her long life to serving the British people. We feel a strong bond
with the United Kingdom and its royal family, and we share their sorrow at this time.”
https://twitter.com/koninklijkhuis/status/1567931738092969991
Ukraine:
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on behalf of the people of Ukraine.
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1567935139447205888
India:
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, tweeted, “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.”
https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1567931746070704131
He also recalled his “memorable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II” during his UK visits in 2015 and 2018.
https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1567931985661927424
At the time of her death, the queen was the head of state of Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, and Antigua and Barbuda, in addition to the United Kingdom.
Aiman Iqbal is the Managing Editor at the Journal of Peace and Diplomacy published by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS), and the Assistant Editor of The Diplomatic Insight magazine. She holds an MPhil in International Relations. She can be reached at aimaniqbal106@gmail.com
