‘More than a monarch’

Presidents, prime ministers, monarchs, leaders and ordinary people around the world have paid tribute to the life and service of Queen Elizabeth II, many of them reflecting on a 70-year reign that encompassed some of the most turbulent and decisive moments in modern British and world history.

As Thursday wore on and news of the Queen's ill-health eventually gave way to news of her death, global figures spoke of what she had meant to them.

Among the most frequently invoked words were "duty", "steadfast" and "constant", but mention was also made of her sense of humour, and of her life and role as a mother and grandmother as well as a monarch.

The US President, Joe Biden, and the first lady, Jill Biden, said, "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era."

In a world of constant change, she had been "a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her", they added.

Minutes after the Queen's death was announced, French President Emmanuel Macron posted a simple picture of the Queen on his Twitter account, unaccompanied by any words.

In a subsequent message, he wrote, "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation's continuity and unity for over 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century."

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences to King Charles III for the "irreparable loss" of his mother, saying the Queen had "rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage".

President Xi Jinping of China expressed his "sincere sympathies to the British government and people" in a statement released through state media.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, called the Queen "a constant presence in our lives" and said his compatriots would always "remember and cherish Her Majesty's wisdom, compassion, and warmth".

Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, said she would be remembered as "a stalwart of our times" who had "personified dignity and decency in public life". Other world leaders offered their sympathies and shared their memories.

Church bells tolled across the UK yesterday and cannon fire rang out across all four corners of the country and beyond as King Charles III and the royal family began observing a mourning period for the queen that will last until seven days after her state funeral, royal officials said.

Ordinary people in Britain and around the globe also paid their own respects to the late queen. In Washington, the US flag was lowered to half-staff to mark the passing of a monarch.

In Berlin, flowers and candles were laid outside the British Embassy, while in Venice "God Save the Queen", the British national anthem, was played outside the Italian city's Festival Buildings.

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower went dark at the stroke of midnight in a tribute to the Queen, reports Reuters.

In Brazil, the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro was lit up in the red, blue and white of the United Kingdom's flag, while Australia announced plans to illuminate the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

And in New Zealand, members of the armed forces performed a ceremonial Maori haka at the War Memorial in Auckland to pay tribute to the Queen, while people in Auckland expressed their sorrow.

"You knew the news was going to come but when it does come it's still a bit of a shock," said Auckland resident Nicki Reeves. "She's been in everyone's lives for so many years now."