President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II, whose passing was confirmed by Buckingham Palace earlier today. Her Majesty, who turned 96 in April, is said to have left her doctors in a “concerned” state with regard to her health just hours before Britain’s longest-running monarch died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
The Bidens have since commented on the sad news, having referred to the Queen as a “stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy,” whose leadership helped strengthen the long-standing alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era,” the couple said.
Our statement on the death of Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/0n7pmVVg2w
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 8, 2022
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“In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her. An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people across the Commonwealth. The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity.”
The Bidens went on to say that Her Majesty was the first monarch who people from all parts of the world could instantly feel a connection with as she served her life fully devoted to her royal duties. Whether they heard her on the radio as a young princess speaking to the children of the United Kingdom, or gathered around their televisions for her coronation, or watched her final Christmas speech or her Platinum Jubilee on their phones,” they continued. “And she, in turn, dedicated her whole life to their service.”
Queen Elizabeth II was also praised for how she always “led with grace,” while maintaining an indisputable commitment to her role. “By showing friendship and respect to newly independent nations around the world, she elevated the cause of liberty and fostered enduring bonds that helped strengthen the Commonwealth, which she loved so deeply, into a community to promote peace and shared values.”
Crowd sings “God Save the Queen” outside Buckingham Palace after Queen Elizabeth II’s death. https://t.co/SK8hMYyM79 pic.twitter.com/vdAlDeFRWk
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 8, 2022
“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.”
According to reports, while Meghan Markle remained in London, her husband Prince Harry took a private jet to Aberdeen in the hopes of making it to his grandmother’s bedside, but per Daily Mail, he ended up touching down at the airport 15 minutes after her passing. Photos that later saw him arriving at Balmoral Castle showed the father of two visibly upset while being driven through the gates.