(Paris) Leaders around the world reacted quickly to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, paying tribute to the sovereign with exceptional longevity and sending their wishes to the royal family and the British people.
Posted at 3:20 p.m.
Updated at 3:43 p.m.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss addressed the nation Thursday evening from 10 Downing Street, shortly after the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II who had invested her in her post on Tuesday.
“We are all devastated by the news we have just heard from Balmoral. The passing of Her Majesty The Queen is a huge shock to the nation and the whole world. Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which the modern United Kingdom was built. Our country grew and prospered under his rule. »
“She was the very spirit of the UK and that spirit will live on. She was the longest reigning monarch. It is an extraordinary achievement to have reigned with such dignity and grace for 70 years. »
The White House has expressed its “thoughts” for the royal family as well as for the “people of the United Kingdom”, spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with the Queen’s family and the people of the United Kingdom,” said President Joe Biden’s spokeswoman.
Pope Francis said he was “deeply saddened” Thursday by the death of Elizabeth II, paying tribute “to her life of unwavering service” and “her example of devotion to duty”.
In a telegram in English addressed to the new king, the sovereign pontiff presented his “sincere condolences” to the royal family and the British population and assured Charles III of his prayers.
Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Elizabeth II, whom he hailed as “a friend of France, a queen of hearts” who had “forever marked her country and her century”.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the continuity and unity of the British nation for over 70 years. I keep the memory of a friend of France, a queen of hearts who forever marked her country and her century, ”reacted the president in a tweet.
Irish President Michael D. Higgins expressed his condolences, hailing “a remarkable friend of Ireland”.
“As we offer our condolences to all of our neighbors in the UK on the death of a remarkable friend of Ireland, we are reminded of the role played by Queen Elizabeth in the long friendship” between the two countries with a tormented history, said the president.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres hailed the “grace, dignity and devotion” of Elizabeth II, who was a “reassuring presence during decades of far-reaching change”.
The Queen “was widely admired for her grace, dignity and devotion across the world. She has been a reassuring presence during decades of far-reaching changes, including decolonization in Africa and Asia,” he said in a statement.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he was “deeply saddened”.
“For more than 70 years, she embodied leadership and selfless public engagement. My deepest condolences to the Royal Family, to our NATO allies – the UK and Canada – and to the people of the Commonwealth,” he tweeted.
Former US President Barack Obama on Thursday hailed the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, defined by “grace, elegance and an unfailing sense of duty”.
“She had a listening ear, thought strategically and was at the origin of considerable diplomatic successes”, applauded the ex-leader in a press release.
The King of Spain, Felipe VI, paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, saying in a telegram addressed to King Charles III that she had “written” and “shaped the most relevant chapters in the history of our world during the past seven decades.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Elizabeth II’s death was “an irreparable loss”.
“On behalf of the people of Ukraine, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family, the whole of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth for this irreparable loss,” President Zelensky said in a social media post.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, in favor of Scottish independence from London, said the death of Queen Elizabeth II is “a deeply sad moment for the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world “.
“His life was marked by extraordinary dedication and service. On behalf of the people of Scotland, I send my deepest condolences to the King and the Royal Family,” the Scottish leader said on Twitter.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid paid tribute to Elizabeth II, hailing her as a “unique leader” and an “exceptional figure” who “symbolized devotion and love for her homeland”.
Belgian King Philippe and his wife Queen Mathilde paid tribute to Elizabeth II, “an exceptional monarch who has deeply marked history”, showing “dignity, courage and dedication throughout her reign “.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “pained by the disappearance” of the one who had acceded to the throne in 1952, becoming the first British sovereign not to have reigned over the Indian Empire, who disappeared in 1947 with the Partition and the independence of India and Pakistan.
The British sovereign has been “an inspirational guide to her nation and her people”, Mr Modi said as he offered his condolences to the royal family and the British people.
Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, the second most populous country in the Commonwealth after India, hailed the memory of “a great and benevolent leader”.
His death leaves a huge void, the memory of which “will remain etched in letters of gold in the annals of world history”, he added.
President Jair Bolsonaro declared Thursday three days of mourning in Brazil after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, according to a notice published in the Official Journal.
This mourning is decreed throughout Brazil “as a sign of condolence after the death of Her Majesty”, the British sovereign, and takes effect as soon as the decree is published in the Official Journal.
“On this sad day for the world, we declare three days of official mourning and invite all the Brazilian people to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth,” wrote Jair Bolsonaro in a tweet accompanied by a video from the years of childhood and youth. of the sovereign.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday at the age of 96, hailing an “extraordinary figure” who led “a remarkable life”.
“Her Majesty was an extraordinary and world-renowned public figure who led a remarkable life. His life and his legacy will remain etched in the memories of many people around the world,” the Head of State said in a statement.