Estonian leaders express condolences after death of UK's Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II visiting Tallinn on October 19, 2006.
Queen Elizabeth II visiting Tallinn on October 19, 2006. Source: Ülo Josing/ERR

"The memory of Queen Elizabeth II will last forever," President Alar Karis said on Thursday night after the death of the United Kingdom's longest-serving monarch was announced. Estonia's present and former leaders also sent condolences to the Royal Family

President Alar Karis said the Queen's "steadfast dedication to her country and people is deeply admired".

"The Estonian people will always remember Her Majesty's kindness when she visited Estonia. We are deeply saddened and offer our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth countries. The memory of Queen Elizabeth II will last forever," he wrote on social media.

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform) said she was "profoundly saddened" by the news.

"Estonia mourns with her people and the Royal Family," she wrote on social media. "Her sense of service and dedication to public duty were unparalleled. It's the end of an era but her legend will live on and inspire."

Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) said: "Queen Elizabeth II was a great friend of Estonia. She lived a truly remarkable life & she holds [a] place in our history."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Queen was "loved & respected across the world".

"Her 70 years of dedication to diplomacy was invaluable. She will be missed by millions, Estonians among them," an official statement said.

Estonia's Ambassador to the UK Viljar Lubi said the Queen was "an extraordinary woman and leader of the nation" and sent his condolences to the Royal Family and British people.

Former President Kersti Kaljulaid (2016-2021) remembered her meeting with Queen Elizabeth in 2018 as "long, pleasant and engaging".

"A world Leader clearly interested in us, in history and in the future. Rest in peace, Queen Elizabeth II," Kaljulaid wrote.

Chairman of the Riigikogu's Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson simply said: "RIP".

Former President Toomas Hendrik Ilves (2006-2016), who hosted the Queen during her visit to Estonia in 2006, said she was "a remarkable woman".

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died at Balmoral in Scotland on Thursday, after reigning for 70 years.

Photographs from her trip to Estonia can be see below.

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Editor: Helen Wright

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