‘One of my favourite people’: Trudeau, world reacts to Queen’s passing
Posted September 8, 2022 3:20 pm.
Last Updated September 9, 2022 6:11 am.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Queen was one of his favourite people in the world as he and many others honoured the longest of any British monarch in history.
In a touching speech, Prime Minister Trudeau noted Queen Elizabeth II was thoughtful, wise, curious, helpful and funny and that he would miss their chats.
“In a complicated world, her steady grace and resolve brought comfort and strength to us all,” an emotional Prime Minister Trudeau said. “I am having trouble believing that my last sit down with her was my last. I will so miss those chats.”
It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022
In a statement issued after the Queen’s death was announced today, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the Queen taught people the true meaning of selfless service.
Ford says the monarch was respected for her sense of duty and commitment to charity. Flags have been lowered to half-mast at Queen’s Park.
Her eldest son, Prince Charles — who will take over his mother’s reign as King Charles III — says the death of Queen Elizabeth “is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.”
“My family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”
Related: TIMELINE – Challenges the Queen faced during her 70-year reign
In a series of tweets, Mayor John Tory paid tribute to the Queen, calling her “the one constant and reassuring presence in our own country and on the world stage” and “a beacon of eloquence, stability and commitment to duty – over so many decades.”
“Our city has had a long and warm relationship with The Queen, our longest-serving monarch,” Mayor Tory said. “This relationship began in October of 1951 when a young Princess Elizabeth visited Toronto in place of her ailing father, King George VI.”
In Toronto, officials announced that the CN Tower would be dark on Thursday night in memory of Her Majesty.
The CN Tower will be dark tonight, in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II / La Tour CN sera éteinte ce soir, en mémoire de Sa Majesté la Reine Elizabeth II pic.twitter.com/2KfQLsnsXf
— CN Tower / Tour CN (@TourCNTower) September 8, 2022
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said Queen Elizabeth II “was the rock on which modern Britain was built.”
“Our country has grown and flourished under her reign,” Truss said. “In the difficult days ahead, we will come together
with our friends across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world to celebrate her extraordinary [life] of service.”
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it the country’s saddest day.
“In the hearts of every one of us, there is an ache at the passing of our Queen, a deep and personal sense of loss — far more intense, perhaps, than we expected,” Johnson said.
“She seemed so timeless and so wonderful that I am afraid we had come to believe, like children, that she would just go on and on.”
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama issued a joint statement, saying the pair was “grateful to have witnessed Her Majesty’s dedicated leadership.”
“We are awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service.”
Current U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also honoured the Queen in a joint statement.
Like so many of you, Michelle and I are grateful to have witnessed Her Majesty’s dedicated leadership, and we are awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of the United Kingdom at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/sbID222iSQ
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 8, 2022
Our statement on the death of Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/0n7pmVVg2w
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 8, 2022
