Queen Elizabeth II 'led always with grace': world leaders pay tribute to monarch

British monarch hailed as a beacon of reassurance during seven-decade reign

A tribute to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II appears on a Nasdaq hoarding in Times Square, New York, after she died aged 96. Reuters

The statue of Christ The Redeemer bears the colours of Britain's flag in honour of the late queen, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP

The American flag flies at half-mast at Capitol Hill in Washington. AP

The Empire State Building is lit in purple and silver in celebration of the life of the late queen. AP

Queen Elizabeth's royal cypher is projected onto the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. Reuters

A tribute to the queen is projected onto the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Reuters

A man bows at the gate of the British Embassy in Tokyo. AP

People gather around a statue of the queen at Government House in Brisbane, Australia. EPA

A member of the public signs the condolence book at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. EPA

Flags are seen at half-mast on the Sydney Harbour ridge as a mark of mourning and respect for Queen Elizabeth. Getty

Petrin Lookout Tower in Prague, the Czech Republic, is lit in British colours in honour of Queen Elizabeth. AP

Gregg Donovan lights a candle at a memorial at Ye Olde King's Head British restaurant in Santa Monica, California. EPA

The Tel Aviv Municipality building is decked in the colours of the British flag as a sign of solidarity to the British royal family. AFP

A moment of silence is observed for Queen Elizabeth before a US Open semi-final tennis match between France's Caroline Garcia and Tunisia's Ons Jabeur in New York. AP

The Union Jack flies at half-mast at the British Embassy in Paris. AFP

A man pays his respects in front of the British Embassy in Berlin, Germany. EPA

The queen's image appears on a screen during a Uefa Europa League match between Lazio and Feyenoord in Rome, Italy. Getty

Messages of condolences and floral tributes are left at the gates of Government House in Sydney, Australia. EPA

The American flag flies at half-mast over the White House. AP

The Union Flag at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi at half-mast. Victor Besa / The National

A picture of the late Queen Elizabeth II illuminates a tower in Kuwait City. AFP

Flowers are laid near a statue of the queen inside the retired ocean liner 'Queen Elizabeth Two', docked at Port Rashid in Dubai. EPA

A worker carries mourners' flowers in the British Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. AP

Amos Ndegwa sits in front of the condolence book in the Treetops Hotel in which Queen Elizabeth stayed the night her father George VI died in 1952, in Aberdare National Park, Kenya. Reuters

Portraits of the queen in Tottenham Court Road tube station in London. AFP

Queen Elizabeth II dies - follow the latest news as the world mourns

World leaders have praised Queen Elizabeth II for her dignity and sense of duty in messages of condolence to the British royal family after the monarch's death on Thursday.

Many also referred to her 70-year reign as a reassuring constant through decades of change and global turmoil.

Buckingham Palace announced the queen's death at Balmoral in Scotland. She was 96.

"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," US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden said in a message of condolence.

"Supported by her beloved Prince Philip for 73 years, Queen Elizabeth II led always with grace, an unwavering commitment to duty, and the incomparable power of her example," they said.

"Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the queen as a "constant presence in our lives".

"As we look back at her life and her reign that spanned so many decades, Canadians will always remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion and warmth," he said on Twitter.

Canadians will always remember and cherish Her Majesty's wisdom, compassion and warmth

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

French President Emmanuel Macron said the queen "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," he said.

Queen Elizabeth was "admired worldwide for her leadership and devotion", UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.

"She was a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonisation of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth."

President Sheikh Mohamed said Queen Elizabeth "was a close friend of the UAE and a beloved and respected leader whose long reign was characterised by dignity, compassion and a tireless commitment to serving her country".

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who knew the Queen for many years, said she was a "global icon who represented the finest qualities of her nation and people".

King Abdullah II of Jordan ordered seven days of mourning for the British monarch, who he said was a "beacon of wisdom and principled leadership", as well as "a partner for Jordan and a dear family friend".

Iraqi President Barham Salih said the queen would be remembered "as a great icon of history who served with grace, dignity and fortitude".

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "she provided inspiring leadership" to the UK and its people.

"She personified dignity and decency in public life," he said, describing the queen as "a stalwart of our times".

Queen Elizabeth II speaking during the State Banquet in Buckingham Palace alongside Barack Obama, the US president at the time. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth with US President Joe Biden at Windsor Castle in England on June 13, 2021. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth with the Bidens at Windsor Castle. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth with US first lady Jill Biden in the Grand Corridor at Windsor Castle. Getty Images

The Bidens with the queen at Windsor Castle. Reuters

Mr Biden and Queen Elizabeth. Reuters

Ms Biden with the queen at Windsor Castle. Reuters

Mr Biden and his wife with the queen after attending the G7 Leader's Summit. Getty Images

Former US president Barack Obama and the queen during a State Banquet in Buckingham Palace on May 24, 2011 in London. Getty Images

Mr Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are welcomed by the queen to Buckingham Palace on April 1, 2009. Photo: White House

Ms Obama greets football star David Beckham at a dinner in honour of the queen at Winfield House in London, on May 25, 2011. Photo: US National Archives

Mr Obama and Queen Elizabeth greet guests including actor Colin Firth at Winfield House, on May 25, 2011. Photo: US National Archives

Mr Obama and his wife attend a State Banquet hosted by the queen at Buckingham Palace. Photo: US National Archives

Mr and Mrs Obama receive the queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, prior to a dinner in the queen's honour at Winfield House in London. Photo: US National Archives

Mr and Ms Obama talk with the queen, Prince Philip, US ambassador Louis Susman and his wife, Margaret. Photo: US National Archives

The queen and the Obamas at Winfield House, the residence of the US ambassador. Getty Images

The Obamas walk out to pose with the queen and Prince Phillip before a state dinner at Buckingham Palace. Reuters

Mr Obama and his wife pose for photographs with the queen and Prince Philip during an audience at Buckingham Palace on April 1, 2009. Getty Images

The queen is received by Eleanor Roosevelt, the US first lady at the time. Photo: US National Archives

Former US president Donald Trump and the queen inspect a Guard of Honour, formed of the Coldstream Guards, at Windsor Castle in July 2018. Getty Images

Former US first lady Melania Trump, the queen and the Duchess of Cornwall during the Ceremonial Welcome at Buckingham Palace. Photo: US National Archives

Mr Trump was criticised for walking ahead of the queen. Getty Images

The queen stands with Mr Trump and his wife Melania Trump as they listen to the US national anthem during a welcome ceremony at Buckingham Palace. AFP

The queen and Mr Trump during the commemorations for the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings at Southsea Common in Portsmouth, UK. AP

The queen with Mr Trump as he arrived in Britain for a state visit, which was overshadowed by his outspoken remarks on Brexit. AFP

Bill Clinton, the US president at the time, talks with the queen with Hillary Rodham Clinton and daughter Chelsea at the Garden Entrance of Buckingham Palace in December 2000. AFP

The queen, George W Bush, the US president at the time, Laura Bush, and the Duke of Edinburgh pose in the music room at Buckingham Palace in November 2003. Getty Images

The queen made a state visit to the US White House and was received by then-president George HW Bush and his wife Barbara Bush, along with Prince Philip, in May 1991. Getty Images

The queen and former US president George W Bush meet well-wishers outside the White House in May 2007. Getty Images

The queen accompanying Mr Bush, his wife Laura, then-US secretary of state Colin Powell and his wife Alma Powell, and the Duke of Edinburgh as they enter the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace in 2003. AP

The elder Bush and his wife arrive on May 16, 1991, at a dinner at the British embassy in Washington accompanied by the queen and her husband. AFP

Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Prince Philip, the queen, former French president Jacques Chirac, Bernadette Chirac, George W Bush, Ms Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the commemoration ceremony for the 60th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2004, in Arromanches, France. Getty Images

Then-US president Jimmy Carter joins the queen and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace when he and six other world leaders attended a dinner. Getty Images

The queen raises a glass with then-US president Gerald Ford. Photo: US National Archives

The queen dances with Ford at the White House in Washington. Photo: US National Archives / Ford Library

Prince Philip, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, the queen and US president at the time John Kennedy appear together at Buckingham Palace after a dinner party in 1961. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth out riding with then-US president Ronald Reagan at Windsor Park. PA

Queen Elizabeth with the West German chancellor at the time Helmut Kohl, Reagan, and the British prime minister at the time Margaret Thatcher at Buckingham Palace. AP

Reagan and Queen Elizabeth at a gala dinner at Windsor Castle. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth with UK prime minister at the time Edward Heath and then-US president Richard Nixon and his wife Pat Nixon at Chequers in Buckinghamshire. PA

Queen Elizabeth with Nixon. AP

Queen Elizabeth entertains former US president Richard Nixon to lunch at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images

Former US president Barack Obama said he and his wife Michelle "were lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us".

"Time and again, 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 circumstance," he said.

US Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell said: “For 70 long years, from the aftermath of the Second World War well into the 21st century, across 15 different prime ministers, through great triumphs and great challenges, the queen’s steady leadership safeguarded the land she loved.

"Despite spending nearly three quarters of a century as one of the most famous and admired individuals on the planet, the queen made sure her reign was never really about herself — not her fame, not her feelings, not her personal wants or needs.

"She guided venerable institutions through modern times using timeless virtues like duty, dignity, and sacrifice. She offered our contemporary world a living masterclass it needed badly."

President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana said his country's people had fond memories of her two visits to the country.

Queen Elizabeth first visited Ghana in 1961, four years after it gained independence from Britain.

"On both occasions, we remember the friendliness, elegance, style and sheer joy she brought to the performance of her duties," he said.