“She defined an era,” President Biden began his tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. During his first overseas trip as president, Biden had the pleasure of spending some time with the Queen in June 2021.
“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,” said President Biden.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden participate in the inspection of the Guard of Honor with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Windsor, England. (Photo by Adam Schultz)
The President reflected on the Queen’s legacy as “the first British monarch to whom people all around the world could feel a personal and immediate connection.”
President Biden first met the Queen in 1982, traveling to the UK as part of a Senate delegation.
Biden recalled how the Queen “endured the dangers and deprivations of a world war alongside the British people and rallied them during the devastation of a global pandemic to look to better days ahead.”
Queen Elizabeth II was, in President’s view, “a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States.” He added, ” She helped make our relationship special.”
During her lifetime, Queen Elizabeth met 14 American presidents, notably forging a friendly relationship with Ronald Regan and Barack Obama.
May 25, 2011″The President and First Lady bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, before they departed Winfield House in London following a dinner in honor of the Queen.” (Photo by Pete Souza)
“She stood in solidarity with the United States during our darkest days after 9/11, when she poignantly reminded us that ‘Grief is the price we pay for love,'”said Biden.
The Queen’s reign was the longest in the history of the British monarchy.
