World Leaders Express Condolences Over the Queen's Death

Reaction to Queen Elizabeth II’s death from world leaders poured in within minutes of the official announcement Thursday.

President Emmanuel Macron of France posted a poignant tribute on Twitter, a portrait of the queen, while Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi expressed “deep grief.”

“Queen Elizabeth was an absolute protagonist of world history in the last 70 years,” he said, adding that she represented Britain and the Commonwealth with “balance, wisdom and respect for institutions and for democracy.”

Draghi called her the most beloved symbol of her country and said she provided stability in times of crisis and kept alive the values of tradition in an ever-changing society.

Macron later said on Twitter that the queen embodied Britain’s continuity and unity for more than 70 years.

“I remember her as a friend of France,” he said, “a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India said on Twitter that he would never forget the warmth extended by the queen during his visits to the United Kingdom in 2015 and 2018.

“During one of the meetings, she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding,” Modi said. “I will always cherish that gesture.”

President Isaac Herzog of Israel expressed his condolences on behalf of the Israeli people and said it was the end of an era.

“Queen Elizabeth was a historic figure: She lived history, she made history, and with her passing, she leaves a magnificent, inspirational legacy,” Herzog said.

He later added, “Throughout her long and momentous reign, the world changed dramatically, while the queen remained an icon of stable, responsible leadership and a beacon of morality, humanity and patriotism. In her life and in her service to her people, the queen embodied a spirit of integrity, duty and ancient tradition.”

António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, said the queen was a good friend of the global body and deeply committed to charitable causes, including the environment and climate.

Guterres said she was a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change and “widely admired for her grace, dignity and dedication around the world.”

Abdulla Shahid, the president of the U.N. General Assembly representing 193 member nations, said the queen represented “a source of stability and resilience for people around the world.”

Shahid, a diplomat and former foreign minister of the Maldives, a Commonwealth member, said he was grateful to the queen for supporting the cause of small islands over the years.

“The international community has lost a great advocate for peace, sustainable development and human rights,” Shahid said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times .