Graham, 70, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, reflected on the historic loss of the Queen, who died Thursday at the age of 96.
‘I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,’ Rev. Graham told Fox News Digital, adding that she has been a ‘symbol of stability and steadfastness for the United Kingdom for 70 years.’
Graham remembered the friendship between the Queen and his father, Billy Graham.
‘The Queen was a friend to my father, but more importantly, she was a true friend of the Christian faith,’ he said. ‘She will be profoundly missed.’
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has a long history of ministry in London, according to a statement on the website, and Billy and Ruth Graham visited with the royal family on multiple occasions.
Franklin Graham’s father Billy Graham passed away in 2018 at the age of 99.
Rev. Franklin Graham, CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, reacted to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and said his father’s friend was a ‘true friend of Christian faith’
Queen Elizabeth II is pictured in April 2022. The 96-year-old died on September 8
In a tweet earlier on Thursday, Rev. Franklin Graham asked his many followers to ‘join me in praying for her today.’
The Queen’s death was announced at 6.32pm in a short statement from Buckingham Palace which read simply: ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.’
Graham told Fox News that he admired many things about the Queen, but was especially grateful for the Queen’s friendship with his father Billy Graham.
‘I’m especially grateful for the Queen’s friendship with my father Billy Graham,’ he said. ‘He cherished their friendship that was built on a shared love for Jesus Christ and belief in God’s Word.’
Rev. Graham then added, ‘My father had the privilege of meeting with the Queen more than a dozen times, and she was a gracious host, inviting my parents to visit Buckingham Palace on several occasions.’
Franklin Graham reflected on the friendship between his father Billy Graham and the Queen. Pictured: He delivers the eulogy during the funeral of his father Dr. Billy Graham in 2018
Billy Graham (second left) with his wife Ruth, the Queen, and the Queen Mother, when he preached at Sandringham Parish Church in 1984
‘My father said he found Queen Elizabeth ‘to be a woman of rare modesty and character,’ and made a pledge to pray for her and her family every day,’ Graham said.
‘He also appreciated how she often talked about Jesus Christ during her public addresses — there was never any question about where she placed her faith. Queen Elizabeth once said, ‘I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel.’
Graham added, ‘I will always appreciate her example of leadership and her life of integrity.’
He concluded: ‘The Queen was a friend to my father, but more importantly, she was a true friend of the Christian faith. She will be profoundly missed.’
Ronald and Nancy Reagan invited Billy Graham to meet with Queen Elizabeth in 1983
Billy Graham pictured with Queen Elizabeth II at Sandringham Parish Church, Norfolk in 1984, when he preached there by special invitation of Her Majesty
Years ago, Billy Graham wrote in his autobiography, Just As I Am, about his relationship with the Queen.
‘No one in Britain has been more cordial toward us than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,’ Billy Graham wrote. He died in 2018.
‘Almost every occasion I have been with her has been in a warm, informal setting, such as a luncheon or dinner, either alone or with a few family members or other close friends.’