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Georgia leaders react to passing of Queen Elizabeth II

By WSBTV.com News Staff
By WSBTV.com News Staff

ATLANTA — Queen Elizabeth II died Thursday afternoon at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, officials with Buckingham Palace announced, hours after officials said doctors had concerns over her health.

In a statement, officials said the queen “died peacefully” and referred to Prince Charles as the king.

State and local leaders are now remembering one of the longest serving monarchs in history.

The Carter Center put out a statement from former President Jimmy Carter who called her an “inspiration.”

The center also tweeted out a photo of the pair together.

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Former U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives from Georgia Newt Gingrich tweeted his condolences and said she will be “admired for years to come.”

Governor Brian Kemp praised the Queen’s “maturity and wit beyond her years” and asked for prayers for her family, the United Kingdom and British-Americans living in Georgia.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said her loss will be felt across the globe. He also offered condolences to UK residents living in Atlanta and in Atlanta’s sister city, Newcastle upon Tyne.

He also announced that City Hall and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport will be lit up Thursday evening in honor of the Queen.

“The City of Atlanta joins the world in mourning the loss of the Queen. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms. The Queen served her country for 70 years and her loss will be greatly felt around the globe. I send my condolences to the British Consulate General Atlanta, the UK residents who now make their home in Atlanta and the residents of our sister city, Newcastle upon Tyne.”

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The members of the Atlanta City Council released a joint statement on Thursday afternoon that read,

“Our deepest sympathies are with the family of Queen Elizabeth II and the people of Britain. Her reign represents an incredible longevity, one that spanned more than a dozen presidential administrations and prime ministerships. Through it all, she remained committed to the obligations as the sovereign of a nation and was a witness to a transformational time in the histories of both Britain and the United States. She inspired countless people across the world and in many ways, was the embodiment of grace, diplomacy, and duty to country.”

ABC News reports that the queen’s funeral will take place in 10 days, following the traditional national period of mourning.

Queen Elizabeth II: What you need to know The Queen is the 40th monarch since William the Conqueror became King of England in 1066. (NCD)

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