In remarks made on Thursday in response to the passing of the Queen they had all personally met while in office, U.S. Presidents from both parties and whose administrations spanned decades praised the Queen for her dignity and grace.
Among the first to praise the Queen’s leadership and persona were former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. Presidents George W. Bush, Donald Trump, and Barack Obama then sent public condolences and tributes to the Queen.
Bush maintained her charm and humour while recounting the times she had spent with the Queen and her cherished corgis.
In a statement that also mentioned former first lady Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton, 76, said, “Hillary and I mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and we join with people across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and all around the world, in giving thanks for her extraordinary life.”
She “guided Britain through huge transitions with constant elegance, dignity, and genuine caring for the welfare of all its people” throughout her astonishing 70-year reign.
Clinton tweeted a statement from the Clinton Foundation on Twitter that said, “In sunlight or storm, she was a source of stability, tranquilly, and strength.”
Clinton also mentioned two trips he took to Buckingham Palace with Hillary Clinton, who was the first lady at the time, throughout the course of his two years in office.
In 1994, they again ran into one other in Portsmouth for celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.
We will always be appreciative of her compassion toward us throughout the years, especially during our trips to Buckingham Palace in 1995 and 2000, as well as all else she did to strengthen the Special Relationship, he added.
Clinton added, “Our sympathies and condolences are with the Royal Family and all those Her Majesty has touched over her life of service.”
Shortly after Buckingham Palace announced the Queen’s passing, 97-year-old former president Jimmy Carter also made a statement.
“Rosalynn and I offer our sympathies to the British people as well as the family of Queen Elizabeth II. In a brief statement, he added, “We join the millions of people throughout the globe in grieving a magnificent leader.
Her dignity, graciousness, and sense of responsibility have been an inspiration.”
In a joint statement with former first lady Laura Bush, Bush stated, “Laura and I were privileged to have met Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. She was a woman of remarkable intelligence, charm, and humour.”
One of his favourite memories of the presidency was spending time at Buckingham Palace and having tea with Her Majesty and her Corgis, he remarked.
“Queen Elizabeth skillfully guided England through difficult times with her faith in her subjects and her hope for a better future. Her unwavering determination benefited our globe, and we are appreciative of her long rule as sovereign.
Particularly Americans value her deep and enduring relationship. We offer the Royal family and the British people our sincere sympathies together with our fellow citizens.
In 2001, the Bush family paid a visit to the Queen, who received them for lunch together with Prince Philip.
Donald Trump, a former president, also made a remark, however this time it was on his own Truth Social website.
Trump had two meetings with the Queen while he was president: once for tea at Windsor Castle in 2018 and once during a formal state visit in 2019.
Melania and I are heartbroken to hear of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing,’ Trump added.
We offer the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom our warmest sympathies during this difficult time, along with our family and fellow Americans.
For Great Britain, “Queen Elizabeth’s historic and exceptional reign left a wonderful legacy of peace and prosperity,” he said.
He ended, “May God bless the Queen and may she rule always in our hearts.”
Michelle and I, like so many of you, are honoured to have experienced Her Majesty’s committed leadership, and we are inspired by her legacy of selfless, honourable public service.
In a tweet, Obama expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and the British people at this trying time.
A day after considering his own legacy at the unveiling of his picture at the White House, he paid tribute to the Queen.
The Obama statement said, “Her Majesty worked with 15 Prime Ministers and other international heads of state.” She demonstrated attentive listening, smart thinking, and significant diplomatic success.
She was just as happy to participate in a comedic routine for the London Olympics as she was to record encouraging words for the citizens of the UK during the COVID-19 lockdowns, despite the fact that she was wearing her lofty titles with a light touch.
Obama’s remark, which was six paragraphs long, provided historical background for the monarchy.
She was the first female royal to serve on active military service during World War II.
She also served as a light of stability and optimism for the people of the United Kingdom and the rest of the globe through eras of success and stagnation, the Obamas noted, including the moon landing, the collapse of the Berlin Wall, and the advent of the digital age.
They also spoke candidly about their visit with the Queen in 2009, during Obama’s first term in office, when Michelle Obama defied convention by embracing the queen.
Later, she said that incident happened after the two had voiced their discomfort with their footwear.
“Michelle and I had the good fortune to get to know Her Majesty, and she was very important to us.
She welcomed us on the international scene with open arms and remarkable kindness when we were just getting our bearings as the President and First Lady,’ they added.
We were repeatedly impressed by her warmth, ability to put people at ease, and ability to inject comedy and charm into situations with a lot of pomp and ceremony.