Celebrities and politicians mourned the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, after Buckingham Palace confirmed the death of the long reigning British monarch at the age of 96.
She died “peacefully” at Balmoral Castle on Thursday afternoon with eldest children Charles and Anne at her side, while immediate family members including Princes William, Edward, and disgraced Andrew, rushed to be at her side.
Wayward Prince Harry canceled an appearance at London’s WellChild Awards to jump on a flight to Scotland, but arrived an hour after the Queen’s death was announced. His father, the former Prince of Wales, ascended the throne to become King Charles III, immediately upon the end of his mother’s 70 year reign.
British A-listers paid tribute to the longtime sovereign in touching memorials online. Dame Helen Mirren, who portrayed the longtime monarch in 2006’s “The Queen,” wrote, “I am proud to be an Elizabethan. We mourn a woman, who, with or without the crown, was the epitome of nobility.”
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger shared that the Queen “has always been there” through his “whole life” and he could recall watching her wedding highlights on television as a child.
“Rocketman” singer, Sir Elton John, said that he was “saddened to hear the new” of the Queen’s passing. “She was an inspiring presence to be around and led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency, and genuine caring warmth,” he tweeted.
Former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham said that Queen Elizabeth would “be remembered for her steadfast loyalty and service,” and said that the day of her passing was a “very sad day for the entire world.”
Former President Donald Trump said that “Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain.”
He explained that “her leadership and enduring diplomacy secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world,” and added that King Charles III is going to be “a Great and Wonderful King.”
“He dearly loves the United Kingdom and all that it represents to the World. He will prove to be an inspiration to everyone,” Trump remarked.
President Joe Biden said that the Queen was “a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States.”
While former President Barack Obama added that he and Michelle Obama “are awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service.”
King Charles III issued a statement following his mother’s passing. “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” he said. “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother.”
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” he continued. “During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”
Queen Elizabeth’s death triggered a ten day national mourning period that will see King Charles proclaimed the new sovereign on Friday and tour the country, as her coffin travel to travels to Buckingham Palace and Westminster Hall. The mourning period will conclude with a funeral at Westminster Abbey and burial at Windsor Castle.