Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the world’s longest-reigning queen, at her Scottish residence on Thursday at the age of 96, world leaders momentarily came together to pay tribute to the monarch.
Tributes poured in from all over the world—from states she had ruled to those she had been at war with, from small nations to the most powerful empires, and even from countries that did not yet exist when she ascended to the throne.
Here are a few of the honors bestowed to Queen Elizabeth, who has been the monarch of the United Kingdom since 1952 and of 14 Commonwealth nations worldwide.
Global tributes were led by the Commonwealth, the association of countries that were previously part of the British empire as well as its remaining overseas territories.
South Asia, where Britain was the colonial power until just before Elizabeth’s reign began, paved the way, with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he was “pained” by her death.
In the southern hemisphere, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa described how he and the queen had reminisced together about Nelson Mandela, while Kenya’s president-elect William Ruto hailed her “admirable” leadership of the Commonwealth.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to her “timeless decency” and said her death marked the “end of an era.”
Elizabeth was a “constant presence in our lives — and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history,” according to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is located on the other side of the globe. Elizabeth served as Canada’s head of state during her time as queen.
The smaller Commonwealth nations also paid respect, with Bermuda’s premier, David Burt, praising her “life of undimmed duty.”
As he ordered flags at the White House and other government buildings flown at half-staff in her honor, US President Joe Biden referred to the queen as the first British monarch to establish a personal relationship with people all over the world.
“The United Kingdom and the United States’ fundamental partnership was strengthened by Queen Elizabeth II, a stateswoman of unrivaled dignity and loyalty. She made our relationship unique “said he.
Others who have a less positive opinion of Britain expressed tributes as well.
Even as Britain leads the West in putting sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to King Charles III, offering the new monarch “courage and resilience” in the wake of the death of his mother.
Germany, which during her reign transformed from being Britain’s biggest foe to a potent friend, praised the queen as a “figure of reconciliation” following two global wars.
