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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926 – 2022

Global tributes

The Jewish Weekly’s DAVID SAFFER overviews global tributes to Britain’s longest-serving monarch – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

King leads tributes to “darling Mama”

King Charles III paid tribute to his “darling Mama” in a moving broadcast to the nation last Friday evening.

In the first King’s speech since 1952, Charles III vowed to give “lifelong service” as Princess Elizabeth pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth on her 21st birthday in 1947.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest-serving monarch.

The second Elizabethan age saw the Queen celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, 70 years of service, after acceding the throne on 6 February 1952. She passed away peacefully, aged 96, at Balmoral Castle.

“Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived,” the new King in his first live televised speech said, “Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never wavered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss. In her life of service, we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless embrace of progress, which make us great as Nations. The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign.”

Creating his Heir, William, Prince of Wales, he said, “With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given,” he said.

King Charles said that his wife, Camilla, of 17 years, would become Queen Consort. He expressed his love for Harry and Meghan as they build their lives overseas. And the new King thanked his “darling Mama” and “dear late Papa” for their devotion to his family and family of nations.

Charles III recalled that when the Queen came to the throne, Britain and the world were in the aftermath of the Second World War. While society and institutions of State had changed over 70 years, the nation and wider family of Realms, had “prospered and

PHOTO CREDIT: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA

flourished”. Noting his “deeply rooted” faith, he vowed to “uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of the nation”.

Queen was “rock” to modern Britain

There were glowing tributes to the Queen in the House of Commons and Lords.

Prime Minister Liz Truss said the Queen was “the rock on which modern Britain was built”.

“Her legacy will endure through the countless people she met, the global history she witnessed and the lives that she touched. She re-invented the monarchy for the modern age.”

Addressing the King, Truss said that Britons owed him our “loyalty and devotion".

“The British people, the Commonwealth, and all of us in this House, will support him as he takes our country forward to a new era of hope and progress, our New Carolean Age,” she said. “The Crown endures. Our nation endures.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said, “The loss of our Queen robs our country of its stillest point, its greatest comfort, at a time when we need those things most. Our Queen's commitment to us, her life of public service, was underpinned by one crucial understanding, that the country she came to symbolise is bigger than any one individual or any one institution.”

Former Prime Ministers offered tributes. Boris Johnson said that the Queen’s longevity, humour, work ethic and sense of history made her ‘Elizabeth the Great’. He noted, “She was the first female member of the Royal family in 1,000 years to serve full-time in the Armed Services. And that impulse to do her duty carried her through right into her 10th decade, to the very moment in

Balmoral, as my Right Honourable Friend has said, only three days ago, when she saw off her 14th prime minister and welcomed her 15th. And I can tell you that in that audience, she was as radiant and as knowledgeable and as fascinated by politics as ever I can remember. And as wise in her advice as anyone I know, if not wiser. And over that extraordinary span of public service, with her naturally retentive and inquiring mind,

I think and doubtless many of that 15 would agree she became the greatest statesman and diplomat of all.” Theresa May, said the Queen was “immensely knowledgeable” and “quite simply the most remarkable person I have ever met,” adding, “There was often that twinkle in the eye, and that magnificent smile that would break out and that made so many feel at ease.” David Cameron described the Queen as

“the world's most experienced diplomat",

Gordon Brown said the Queen “served this country to the last” and Sir John Major described her as “selfless and wise with a wonderful generosity of spirit". Sir Tony Blair noted, “We have lost not just our monarch but the matriarch of our nation, the figure who more than any other brought our country together, kept us in touch with our better nature, personified everything which makes us proud to be British.” Lord Polak at the House of Lords recalled that a fleeting moment meeting the Queen lived with people forever. The CFI honorary President recalled a fundraising dinner at the Princess Royal’s home. Lord Polak said he had a discussion with Princess Anne on how the Royal Family were “prohibited from visiting Israel by the

Foreign Office” and lamented the Queen had not visited Israel. He told Peers, “We agreed that as someone who was deeply religious and G-d-fearing it was sad, it is sad, that she never walked down the Via Dolorosa into the Church of the

Holy Sepulchre. She never walked and visited the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem or experience the peace and tranquillity on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.” Lord Polak recited parts of the Prayer for The Royal Family and Psalm 116. Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland said, “Her life was one of extraordinary dedication and service.” Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, noted, “She firmly held the values and traditions of the British monarchy.” Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein, was grateful for Queen Elizabeth's determined efforts to “advance PHOTO CREDIT: UK GOVERNMENT peace and reconciliation”, Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the Queen’s visit to Dublin in 2011 was a "cathartic moment in the history of British-Irish relations". And Irish President Michael D Higgins said she did not shy away from “shadows of the past”. Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin described a state visit to Ireland as a “crucial step” in normalisation of relations.

PHOTO CREDIT: WEST MIDLANDS POLICE

Herzog leads Israeli tributes

In Israel, President Isaac Herzog led the tributes to the Queen.

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

Prime Minister Yair Lapid said the Queen left behind an "unparalleled legacy".

He added, “For 70 years, she was a model of decency and stability, and an icon around the world.”

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu added, “She was a legendary sovereign, a beacon of integrity and a steward of a second Elizabethan age which will be remembered down the centuries." Defence Minister Benny Gantz, noted, “The Queen served the international community over 70 years, and under her reign, UK-Israel relations flourished.” And Speaker of the Knesset, Mickey Levy, commented, “The Queen became the most recognisable political figure in the world, a role model for women from all around the globe and symbol of endless devotion to the unity of the British nation.”

Israel's Ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, noted, “As Britain’s longest reigning monarch she was admired around the world as an inspirational and beloved stateswoman. Israel stands with the Royal family and the British people in mourning the loss of The Queen.”

circumstance.”

George W. Bush recalled having tea with Her Majesty and corgis being among the “fondest memories” of his presidency. Donald Trump spoke of the Queen's “endurance” and Bill Clinton said she was a source of “stability, serenity and strength”.

World leaders illustrate global impact

PHOTO CREDIT: NASA/BILL INGALLS

Queen was “more than a monarch”

The Queen met 13 US presidents during a 70-year reign.

President Joe Biden said the Queen was “more than a monarch”.

He noted, “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. The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity. She was the first British monarch to whom people all around the world could feel a personal and immediate connection, 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. And she, in turn, dedicated her whole life to their service.”

Biden added, “Queen Elizabeth II led always with grace, an unwavering commitment to duty and the incomparable power of her example. She endured the dangers and deprivations of a world war alongside the British people and rallied them during the devastation of a global pandemic to look to better days ahead. Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history and story of our world.”

Former USA Presidents issued heartfelt statements.

Barack Obama said, “She wore her lofty titles with a light touch. We were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humour and charm to moments of great pomp and The Queen visited 117 countries and reigned over 32 sovereign countries during her lifetime.

At the time of her death she was still Queen of 15 countries. Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada,

Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint

Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon

Islands, Tuvalu and the UK.

Nation heads illustrated the impact made over seven decades.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “Her Majesty was a rare and reassuring constant amidst rapid change.

Through the noise and tumult of the years, she embodied and exhibited a timeless decency and an enduring calm.”

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda

Ardern noted the Queen defined notions of “service, charity and consistency” whilst a strong memory was her is laughter which was extraordinary.

Canadian head, Prime Minister Justin

Trudeau said, “In a complicated world her steady grace and resolve brought comfort to us all.” Russian President Vladimir Putin said,

“Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage.”

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James

Marape recalled 'Mama Queen' as the “matriarch” of his country.

In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the Queen’s commitment was a “noble and virtuous example to the entire world”,

Ghana President, Nana Akufo-Addo, commented that the Queen kept the Commonwealth “sturdy and true” while Fiji's Prime

Minister Frank Bainimarama spoke of the

Queen’s “grace, courage, and wisdom”.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled Her Majesty personifying “dignity and decency in public life”. He also tweeted,

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

ND Pakistan President Arif Alvi noted that the Queen would be remembered in “golden words in the annals of world history”. In Brazil, President Jair Bolsanaro commented, “When life seems difficult, the brave don't lie down and accept defeat, instead, they are even more determined to fight for a better.” Chinese President Xi Jinping described the Queen’s passing as a “great loss” to the British people, Japanese Prime PHOTO CREDIT: LAWRENCE JACKSON Minister Fumio Kishida noted the Queen led Britain through “turbulent times” and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said she performed her duties with “devotion, grace and humility”.

Spain's King Felipe VI spoke of the Queen's “sense of duty and commitment”, President Emmanuel Macron recalled a “kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the Queen’s commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War II will remain unforgotten.

Religious leaders comforting words

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will officiate at the Queen’s funeral on Monday and offered his “profound sadness” at her passing.

“We have lost the person whose steadfast loyalty, service and humility has helped us make sense of who we are through decades of extraordinary change in our world, nation and society,” he said.

Regarding meeting the public, the Archbishop noted, “She could go into a room full of people or walk down a crowded street. Everyone felt that they were the only person there.”

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, said, “The Queen embodied the most noble values of British society. Throughout her extraordinary reign she conducted herself with grace, dignity and humility, and was a global role model for distinguished leadership and selfless devotion to society. In an ever-changing world, she was a rock of stability and a champion of timeless values.” He added, “Her affection for the Jewish people ran deep, and her respect for our values was palpable. In life she was rightly admired and loved the word over, in death may her memory and legacy be for an everlasting blessing.”

Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, said, “From wartime teenager to recent widow, she has shown resilience in adversity, and unremitting determination to face the most challenging times. We who have seen and paid attention to her example, have been better people for it.”

Queen was an “inspiration” to British citizens

The Board of Deputies led communal tributes in the UK.

“No words can fully describe the extent of our nation's loss,” said BoD President Marie van dse Zyl. “Her Majesty's wisdom, benevolence and dedication to duty served as an inspiration to generations of British citizens, including our community.”

Michael Goldstein, United Synagogue, noted, “Her Majesty the Queen will be profoundly missed but memories of her will live long in our hearts.”

And Dan Fox, AJEX JMA, said, “HM The Queen was a unique public servant and an inspiration to her subjects throughout the world. We are particularly grateful at AJEX for her support for servicemen and women and veterans, including her annual message marking our own Annual Parade. Many Jewish veterans were honoured to meet her during her 70-year reign.”

James Marlow, National Jewish Assembly, “Queen Elizabeth was a great friend of the Jewish community and admired as well as respected, traditional authentic Judaism. The Queen had a tremendous ability to make people feel at ease. She was funny, often had a beaming smile and her wisdom, knowledge and understanding of national and international affairs was remarkable. She was truly the mother of the nation.”

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Elizabeth II was “epitome of nobility”

Actress Dame Helen Mirren won an Oscar playing the monarch in the 2006 film The Queen.

She said that Elizabeth II was “the epitome of nobility”.

Dame Shirley Bassey commented, “Through triumph and adversity, her devotion to our country has spanned eras of unprecedented change. In all that time she remained steadfast, dignified, inspirational. Her courage was mighty, her example iconic.”

And Composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber said the Queen had been “constant anchor” of Britain and the Commonwealth.

The Beatles icon Paul McCartney stated, “May she rest in peace.” Ringo Starr said, “Peace and love to all the family.” And Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger wrote, "In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much beloved grandmother of the nation.”