Queen Elizabeth II, longest serving British monarch, has died

Queen Elizabeth II died Thursday (Sept. 8), bringing an end to the longest serving term of any monarch in British history at 70 years and seven months. She was 96. The popular Queen served during the terms of 14 U.S. presidents.

Born Princess Elizabeth of York as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, the Queen married Philip Mountbatten in 1947. Philip died in April 2021. They had four children together: Charles, King of the United Kingdom; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

During World War II, Elizabeth became the first member of the Royal Family to have an active dury role in the military. The Queen was coronated in 1953 following the death of her father, King George IV. George was coronated King in 1936 following the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII. The monarchy is the head of the United Kingdom, but the role of making and passing legislation remains with Parliament, according to Buckingham Palace.

Several members of the royal family, including the now King Charles III, gathered Thursday to be with the queen in her castle at Balmoral after her doctors placed the monarch under medical supervision.

Following are comments issued from U.S. and Arkansas politicians about the Queen’s death.

• President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden issued a lengthy statement.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era. 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. An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people across the Commonwealth. The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity.”

Link here for the complete statement.

• U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Republican Senate Leader
“For 70 long years, from the aftermath of World War II 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 master class it needed badly.”

• U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.
“The Queen embodied the highest standards of duty, service, and sacrifice for the nation throughout her life.  As a young teenage girl in World War II, she inspired the British people during her nation’s darkest hour and she ultimately joined the British Army.  During her remarkable seventy-year reign, she advised fifteen different prime ministers, beginning with Winston Churchill.  Her reign coincided with fourteen different presidents and ushered in a golden age in the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, an unparalleled alliance for freedom in the annals of history.  At every turn, Her Majesty always put her people and her nation above herself, setting an example for the ages of graceful and selfless service.”

• U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers
“My prayers are with the Royal Family and the people of the UK as we mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She gave a lifetime of service to her nation and was a steadfast friend and ally of America. Her Majesty’s legacy is one of honor, faith, and grace. May she rest in peace.”

Talk Business & Politics will update this story as other statements are provided.