Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said that the queen “defined an era” and served as “a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her.”
“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 Bidens, who first met the queen in 1982, said in a joint statement.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reading prepared remarks from Vancouver, said that the queen “had an obvious, deep and abiding love and affection for Canadians.” He said the queen served with “strength and wisdom.”
“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,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the president of Germany, said that the queen was “highly respected and respected not only in the United Kingdom, but all over the world,” adding that she was being mourned in Germany.
Liz Truss, the new British prime minister, called the queen “the rock on which modern Britain was built” and said the deceased “leaves a great legacy.”
Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, said that he would never forget the “warmth and kindness” the queen displayed when they met in 2015 and 2018.
“During one of the meetings she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture,” he said.
Trump, Pelosi Comment
Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he and former First Lady Melania Trump would remember the queen’s “generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor.”“Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain,” he said.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the queen “was a pillar of leadership in the global arena and a devoted friend of freedom” and expressed condolences on behalf of the U.S. Congress to the royal family.
“May it be a comfort to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the entire Royal Family that Americans join them in prayer at this sad time,” she added.
Other members also expressed sadness at the queen’s passing.
“Queen Elizabeth II reigned for nearly one third of America’s history. Just an extraordinary woman who put her nation first, over and over, and helped midwife the special relationship between Britain and the United States. There will never be another like her,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said.
“The passing of Queen Elizabeth II is a sad day for the United Kingdom and the entire world. She leaves behind an incredible legacy after seven decades on the throne, and she will be missed greatly,” added Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Ala.).
