Queen Elizabeth II, UK’s longest-serving monarch passes away after reigning for 70 years; PM Modi says Queen will be remembered as stalwart of our times
New Delhi, September 09
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has passed away after reigning for 70 years. She was 96. She breathed her last yesterday at her Scottish estate Balmoral.
The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change. Her son King Charles III said the death of his beloved mother was a “moment of great sadness” for him and his family and that her loss would be “deeply felt” around the world. The King is expected to address the nation today.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tenure as head of state spanned post-war austerity, the transition from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War and the UK’s entry into – and withdrawal from – the European Union.
Her reign spanned 15 Prime Ministers starting with Winston Churchill and including Ms Truss. She held weekly audiences with her Prime Minister throughout her reign.
The Queen was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II and served as the consort of the British monarch from her accession as queen on 6 February 1952 until his death in 2021.
Official engagements will be cancelled and union flags will be flown at half-mast on royal residences, government buildings, across the Armed Forces and on UK posts overseas. Members of Parliament will pay tribute to the Queen and take an oath to King Charles.
Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was appointed by the Queen on Tuesday, said the monarch was the rock on which modern Britain was built and she provided the stability and strength.
World leaders and dignitaries have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed pain over the death of Queen. In a tweet, Mr Modi said that the Queen will be remembered as a stalwart of our times. He added that the Queen personified dignity and decency in public life and provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people.
The Prime Minister remembered the warmth and kindness extended by the Queen during his visits to UK in 2015 and 2018. Mr Modi said that during one of the meetings, the Queen showed him the handkerchief that Mahatma Gandhi had gifted on her wedding.
The Prime Minister said that his thoughts are with Queen’s family and people of UK in this sad hour.
US President Joe Biden recalled how she stood in solidarity with the United States in their “darkest days” after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Former US President Barack Obama said the Queen had “captivated the world” with a “reign defined by grace, elegance and a tireless work ethic”.
France President Emmanuel Macron remembered her as “a kind-hearted queen” who was “a friend of France”. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Queen had an obviously deep and abiding love for Canadians. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid tribute to the Queen’s “wonderful humour” and said that “her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War Two will remain unforgotten”.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, said the Queen was extraordinary. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said she embodied and exhibited timeless decency and an enduring calm. Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, said the Queen remained an icon of stable, responsible leadership and a beacon of morality, humanity and patriotism.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his “deepest condolences” to King Charles III. Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba said the Queen was a great friend of Africa and Africa showed her affection in return.
António Guterres, the UN’s secretary-general, said Queen Elizabeth was “a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonisation of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth”.