World leaders share their reflections on the passing of the Head of Commonwealth and the legacy she has left.
People from across the Commonwealth are mourning Queen Elizabeth II.
As Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth was held in the highest regard in many countries across the world, and her passing is a historic moment for all the member nations.
World leaders and commonwealth members have been paying tributes to Her Majesty,
“It is with the deepest of sorrow that we learned today of the passing of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Reuters. “She was our queen for almost half of Canada’s existence. And she had an obvious deep and abiding love and affection for Canadians. She was one of my favourite people in the world and I will miss her so.”
In India, 11 September has been declared a day of state mourning as a mark of respect. Indian Prime Minister 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.”
Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, tweeted: “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.”
Australia have announced a two-week period of mourning will commence, with parliament suspended until after the Queen’s funeral and the proclamation of the new sovereign, King Charles.
A statement from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese read: “There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love.’ This is a loss we feel deeply in Australia. Queen Elizabeth II is the only reigning monarch most of us have known – and the only one to ever visit Australia. And over the course of a remarkable seven decades, Her Majesty was a rare and reassuring constant amidst rapid change.”
New Zealand will also be entering a period of mourning which is expected to last until after the Queen’s funeral, while 12 days of mourning will take place in Jamaica. Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a statement: “The world has lost a global matriarch, who was a steadying and constant force throughout many crises and periods of difficulty. Over the course of her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II made an immense contribution to the world in public life and was a close friend of Jamaica. As the longest reigning British sovereign, Queen Elizabeth served with distinction, leading with dignity and grace.”
A statement for Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, read: “Her Majesty’s vision for the Commonwealth at the beginning of her reign has been fulfilled, fuelled by her dedication and commitment. Inspired by her life of duty and service, the responsibility to ensure her vision endures is one we all now share.”
