‘She will be with all of us forever’: Macron pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

France’s leader praises ‘kind-hearted’ British monarch

French president Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, saying her memory will live on “forever”.

The 96-year-old British monarch, whose reign spanned 70 years, died in Scotland on Thursday.

Mr Macron was among a wave of world leaders who spoke of the scale of the loss.

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century,” he said on Thursday.

The French leader, who succeeded earlier this summer in winning a second term, later said that the Queen would always be in people’s hearts.

“To you, she was your Queen. To us, she was The Queen. She will be with all of us forever,” he said.

US president Joe Biden and his wife Jill also mentioned the enduring legacy she will leave behind.

“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,” they said. “Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world.”

Her sense of duty and her elegance were also praised by other presidents and prime ministers.

Nana Akufo-Addo, the Ghanaian leader, said: “The Ghanaian people have very fond memories of the two visits she made to Ghana during her reign, and, on both occasions, we remember the friendliness, elegance, style and sheer joy she brought to the performance of her duties.”

Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese, the Australian leader, commented: “With the passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second, an historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end.”

“There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’.”