Queen Elizabeth’s death: Reaction from politicians and officials

By Reuters

September 8, 2022

State heads and officials from around the world have offered their condolences for Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, after she died on Thursday 8 September.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the queen was widely admired for her grace, dignity, and dedication around the world.

“She was a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonisation of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth,” Guterres said.

“She was a good friend of the United Nations, and visited our New York Headquarters twice, more than fifty years apart. She was deeply committed to many charitable and environmental causes and spoke movingly to delegates at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.

“I would like to pay tribute to her unwavering, lifelong dedication to serving her people. The world will long remember her devotion and leadership.”

Great Britain’s House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said the Queen had been a “constant presence.”

“Most of us have never known a time when she was not there. Her death is not only a tragedy for the Royal family, but a terrible loss for us all,” he added.

Former British Prime Minister John Major said: “We have all lost someone very precious to us and, as we mourn, we should be grateful that we were blessed with such an example of duty and leadership for so very many years.”

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Queen Elizabeth was a major player in world history over the last 70 years.

“The Queen represented the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth with balance, wisdom, respect for institutions and democracy.

“She has been the most beloved symbol of her country and has garnered respect, affection and sympathy everywhere. She ensured stability in times of crisis and kept the value of tradition alive in a society in constant and profound evolution.”