(CNN) —

Following the Queen’s passing earlier on Thursday at the age of 96, US President Joe Biden and other international leaders expressed their condolences.

At the British Embassy in Washington, where they unexpectedly stopped to sign a condolence book, the President and First Lady Jill Biden offered their condolences.

“We are all grieving for you. She was a wonderful woman. The President exclaimed, “We’re so happy we got to meet her.

When they were welcomed at the embassy by Karen Pierce, the British ambassador to the US, the first lady also gave her a bouquet of flowers.

The Queen, who ruled Britain for the longest period of time—seven decades—”defined an era,” the president and first lady said in a joint statement earlier.

The White House released a statement that read, “Today, people across the United States are with the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in their sadness. We offer the Royal Family, who is mourning not just their beloved Queen but also their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, our sincere condolences. The history of our planet and the pages of British history will be heavily influenced by her legacy.

President Biden declared on the Queen’s passing that American flags will be flown at half-staff “until the day of internment” at the White House, other federal buildings, military installations, and embassies abroad.

The Queen has been described by the first couple as “a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her.”

“Led always with grace, a steadfast dedication to duty, and the unmatched force of her example, Queen Elizabeth II served as the country’s monarch for 73 years while being supported by her loving Prince Philip. She shared in the risks and hardships of a world war with the British people, and she inspired them to look forward to better days while a global pandemic wreaked havoc on the world.

The Bidens continued by stating that the Queen “was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States.”

The statement made reference to the “special relationship” between the UK and the US, a term originated by Winston Churchill, and stated that “she helped make our relationship special.” Additionally, the Bidens expressed their eagerness to maintain “a close friendship” with King Charles III and the Queen Consort.

The Bidens reflected on their time spent together and recalled their first encounter with Queen Elizabeth in 1982 when flying to the UK as part of a Senate mission.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier on Thursday that the last time Biden and the Queen spoke and interacted was during the President’s trip to the UK in June 2021.

world chargesexpress grief

Following the news of the Queen’s passing, condolences have poured in from leaders around the UK, the Commonwealth, and the rest of the world.

The Queen was described as being “loved and admired” by the Scots by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Sturgeon continued, alluding to the Queen’s final home, Balmoral, saying, “And by all accounts, Her Majesty was rarely happier than when she was here in Scotland at her beloved Balmoral.”

The Queen 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.

He stated, “Canadians will always remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion, and kindness as we look back at her life and her reign that lasted so many decades.

The monarch had led a “long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted in a statement, adding that it was “clear Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia.” The Queen made 16 trips to Australia while serving as head of state.

After the Queen passed away, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, paid tribute to her in a speech to the nation, noting that she had come to represent “notions of service, charity, and consistency.”

In addition, Ardern declared that New Zealand would enter an official period of mourning. Half-staff will be flown for all flags. A state memorial is being planned; it will take place following the Queen’s ceremonial funeral in the UK.

The news of her demise awoke Asian leaders on Friday.

In a statement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed he had “memorable conversations” with the Queen. He said, “During one of the sessions, she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gave her at her wedding. I will never forget that kindness.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated he was “deeply saddened” by her demise. Singapore is a former British colony in Southeast Asia. Her Majesty left a tremendous mark on Singapore’s history and our long-standing close ties to the United Kingdom, Lee claimed in public statements posted on his official social media channels. Everyone in Singapore is very saddened by her passing.

Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, expressed his sympathy on Friday. He tweeted, “Her excellent nature and acts will live on in our memories. “She left significant legacies of dignity and had a strong commitment to the cause of human freedom.”

The Queen, who resides in Japan, which is home to the oldest continuous monarchy in the world, has improved relations between Britain and Japan, according to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. “The passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has led Britain through a trying time in the world, is not just a major loss for the citizens of the UK but for the international community,” Kishida said in a statement to reporters on Friday.

The Queen was recognized as the “backbone of global democracy” by Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, who also expressed her “deepest condolences to the British government and the Royal Family.”

Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach of Ireland, described her departure as “the end of an era,” adding that her “dedication to duty and public service were self-evident and her wisdom and experience truly unique.”

In an open letter to the new King, Pope Francis complimented the Queen for being a “steadfast witness of faith in Jesus Christ.”

“I assure Your Majesty of my prayers that Almighty God will sustain you with his unfailing grace as you now take up your high responsibilities as King,” the Pope said. “Commending her noble soul to the merciful goodness of our Heavenly Father.”

The Queen, according to French President Emmanuel Macron, “embodied the continuity and solidarity of the British country for more than 70 years. She was a gracious queen who left a lasting mark on her nation and century, and I will always remember her as France’s friend.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, tweeted, “It is with great regret that we learned of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. We send our deepest sympathies on this irreparable loss to the @RoyalFamily, the entire United Kingdom, and the Commonwealth on behalf of the people. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

The Queen, according to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, “was a role model and inspiration for millions, including here in Germany. Her dedication to promoting German-British peace following the atrocities of World War II won’t be forgotten. She will be missed, especially for her excellent sense of humor.

In a statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that “Her Majesty’s name is inextricably linked with the most significant events in recent history of the United Kingdom.”

For many years, Elizabeth II had earned the adoration and respect of her citizens as well as prominence on the international stage, according to Putin. I send you my best wishes for bravery and tenacity in the face of this terrible, irreversible loss.

Hundreds of additional countries, from Pakistan to Panama, have expressed their condolences.

Former US presidents offer their sympathies

Following her passing, former American presidents have also expressed their sympathies.

George W. Bush, who greeted the Queen when she visited the US while he was president, remembers visiting Buckingham Palace and getting to know her well-known corgis.

Having tea with Her Majesty and her corgis at Buckingham Palace was one of Bush’s favorite presidential experiences, he wrote. “Queen Elizabeth skillfully guided England through difficult times with her faith in her subjects and her hope for a better future. We are grateful for her decades of service as a sovereign because of her unwavering resolve and contribution to the world.

Her leadership and her diplomacy “secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world,” Donald and Melania Trump noted in a statement. She will, however, always be remembered for her loyalty to her nation and her everlasting love for her fellow citizens.

“We will always treasure our time spent with the Queen and will never forget Her Majesty’s kind friendship, immense intelligence, and beautiful sense of humor. She was the most magnificent and stunning lady I’ve ever seen. Trump penned.

As a leader who “made the role her own,” the Obamas remembered the Queen.

“When Her Majesty took on the huge responsibility of leading one of the biggest democracies in the world, she was just 25 years old. With a reign marked by grace, elegance, and a tireless work ethic, Elizabeth would go on to make the role of Queen her own in the decades that followed, defying the odds and expectations put on women of her generation, they said.

To commemorate her passing, Bill and Hillary Clinton praised her for having “unfailing grace, dignity, and genuine care for the welfare of all its people.”