The New Zealand Prime Minister has told how she was woken up at 5 a.m. by a policeman who lit a torch in her bedroom to tell her the news of the Queen’s death.
Jacinda Ardern’s anecdote, followed by a heartfelt tribute to His Majestyis one of the many rulers of the Commonwealth nations.
New Zealand
Under New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements, the Queen was also the country’s monarch and head of state, and Ms Ardern described her as “extraordinary”.
“The final days of the Queen’s life reflect who she was in many ways – working to the end on behalf of the people she loved,” she said.
She added that, like many other people, she not only felt deep sadness but also deep gratitude.
“Here is a woman who gave her life, totally, in the service of others. And no matter what one thinks of the role of monarchies in the world, there is undeniably, I think here, a demonstration of someone who gave his all in the name of his people, and his people included the people of Aotearoa in New Zealand.”
Nigeria
Another Commonwealth country, Nigeria, gained independence from the British in 1960, four years after the late Queen’s first official visit to the West African country.
During the monarch’s last visit in 2003, she spoke of Nigeria’s vital role in the Commonwealth and applauded the country for its “leading role in the new partnership for Africa’s development”.
Muhammadu Buhari, its president, expressed “tremendous sadness” at his death.
‘Her late Majesty was the only British sovereign known to 90% of our people,’ he said, describing the late Queen’s reign as ‘unique and wonderful’.
He added: “The history of modern Nigeria will never be complete without a chapter on Queen Elizabeth II, a towering global personality and an outstanding leader.
“She has dedicated her life to making her nation, the Commonwealth and the whole world a better place.”
The Queen’s death comes as a growing number of British territories in the Caribbean seek to replace the monarch with their own heads of state, as demands are increasing that Britain apologize for its colonial-era abuses and grant its former colonies reparations for slavery.
Nonetheless, Caribbean leaders from Jamaica to Bermuda and beyond mourned the Queen’s death.
Jamaica
Andrew Holness, the Jamaican Prime Minister, noted that since being crowned in 1953, the Queen visited the island every ten years until 2002.
“Without a doubt, she formed a special bond with the people of Jamaica during her reign,” he said. “We are saddened not to see his light again, but we will remember his historic reign.”
In March, when Prince William and Kate visited Jamaica as part of an official trip to the Caribbean, Mr Holness unexpectedly announced publicly that the British Commonwealth country intended to become fully independent.
Since then, Jamaica has created a constitutional reform committee and is expected to hold a referendum in 2025. If approved, it will join other republics in the region, including Barbados, Dominica, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
Australia
The Queen was Australia’s formal head of state, although today the role is seen as primarily ceremonial.
Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister, said she was the only reigning monarch most Australians have known and the only one to visit their country.
“And over seven remarkable decades, Her Majesty has been a rare and reassuring constant amid rapid change,” he said.
“Through the noise and turbulence of the years, she embodied and exhibited a timeless decency and enduring calm.”
Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it “a constant presence in our lives”.
“The service she rendered to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history,” he said.
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“I find it hard to believe that my last meeting with her was the last,” added Mr. Trudeau. “I will miss these talks so much.”
The Queen, who was Canada’s head of state, visited the country 22 times as a monarch.
Ghana
In Ghana, which joined the Commonwealth in 1957, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recalled Elizabeth’s visits and praised “the friendliness, elegance, style and sheer joy she brought to the exercise of his duties”.
“His inspiring presence, his calm, his stability and above all his great love and belief in the higher purpose of the Commonwealth of Nations and its ability to be a force for good in our world will be missed,” did he declare. said.
Bermuda
Bermuda Premier David Burt noted that his reign “entailed decades of such immense change for the UK and the world”.
He said she had lived a life of “unlimited duty” and was a “model of strength and devotion to country”.
