The president and first lady Jill Biden expressed their condolences at the British Embassy in Washington, where they made an impromptu stop to sign a book of condolence.
“We mourn for all of you. She was a great lady. We are so glad we met her,” the president told embassy staff.
The First Lady also presented a bouquet of flowers to British Ambassador to the US Karen Pierce, who greeted them at the embassy.
The president and first lady earlier said in a joint statement that the queen, the British monarch who reigned for seven decades, “defined an era.”
“Today, the thoughts and prayers of people across the United States are with the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in their grief,” the White House statement said. “We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are not only mourning their Queen, but their beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her legacy will live on in the pages of British history and the history of our world . . .
American flags at the White House, other federal buildings, military installations and embassies abroad will be flown at half-staff “until the day of internment,” according to a proclamation by President Biden on the death of queen
The first couple, in their statement, said the Queen is “a constant presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her”.
“Supported by her beloved Prince Philip for 73 years, Queen Elizabeth II always led with grace, an unwavering commitment to duty and the unparalleled power of her example. She endured the dangers and privations of a world war alongside the British people and brought them together during the devastation of a global pandemic to look to better days,” the White House statement continued.
The Queen, the Bidens added, “was a statesman of unparalleled dignity and constancy who deepened the fundamental Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States.”
“She helped make our relationship special,” the statement said, referring to Britain’s “special relationship” with the United States, a term coined by Winston Churchill. The Bidens also said they look forward to continuing “a close friendship” with King Charles III and the Queen Consort.
Recalling their time together, the Bidens wrote that they first met Queen Elizabeth in 1982 as part of a Senate delegation traveling to the United Kingdom.
Biden and the queen last spoke and saw each other during the president’s visit to the United Kingdom in June 2021, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier Thursday.
World leaders cry
Condolences from UK, Commonwealth and world leaders have poured in following news of the Queen’s death.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Queen was “loved and admired” by the people of Scotland.
“And by all accounts Her Majesty was rarely happier than when she was here in Scotland at her beloved Balmoral,” Sturgeon continued, referring to the castle where the Queen died.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Queen was “a constant presence in our lives and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.”
“As we look back on her life and reign that spanned so many decades, Canadians will always remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion and warmth,” he continued.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote in a statement that the monarch had lived a “long life dedicated to duty, family, faith and service”, noting that it was “clear that Her Majesty held a special place in his heart for Australia.” As head of state, the Queen visited Australia 16 times.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern remembered the Queen in a national address after her passing, saying she had come to define “notions of service, charity and consistency”.
Ardern also announced that New Zealand would enter a period of official mourning. Flags will fly at half-mast. Preparations for a state memorial are underway, to be held after the Queen’s official funeral in the UK.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement that he had “memorable meetings” with the Queen, writing: “During one of the meetings, she showed me the handkerchief that Mahatma Gandhi gave her at her wedding. I will always cherish this gesture.”
Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin called his passing “the end of an era”, saying his “dedication to duty and public service was evident and his wisdom and experience truly unique”.
Pope Francis praised the Queen as a “firm witness to faith in Jesus Christ” in an open letter to the new king.
“Committing your noble soul to the merciful goodness of our Heavenly Father, I assure Your Majesty of my prayers that Almighty God sustain you with his unfailing grace as you now assume your high responsibilities as King,” the Pope wrote.
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote that the Queen “embodied the continuity and unity of the British nation for more than 70 years. I remember her as a friend of France, a good-hearted Queen who has left a lasting impression on his country and his century”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted: “It is with deep sadness that we learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of the people, we extend our condolences to the @RoyalFamily, across the UK and Commonwealth for this irreparable. loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the Queen “was a role model and an inspiration to millions, including here in Germany. Her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of the Second World War will remain unforgotten. We will miss him, especially his wonderful sense of humor.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement: “The most important events in the recent history of the United Kingdom are inextricably linked with the name of Her Majesty.”
“For many decades, Elizabeth II rightly enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage,” Putin continued. “I wish you courage and perseverance in the face of this grave and irreparable loss.”
Condolences have poured in from dozens of other nations, from Panama to Pakistan.
Former US presidents send condolences
Former US presidents have also issued their condolences following his passing.
George W. Bush, who welcomed the Queen to the US during her time in office, recalled spending time at Buckingham Palace and meeting her famous corgis.
“Spending time at Buckingham Palace and having tea with Her Majesty and her corgis is one of our fondest memories of the presidency,” Bush wrote. “Queen Elizabeth skillfully led England through dark times with her confidence in her people and her vision for a brighter tomorrow. Our world benefited from her steadfast determination and we are grateful for her decades of service as sovereign”.
Donald and Melania Trump wrote in a statement that “her leadership and enduring diplomacy secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world. However, she will always be remembered for her loyalty to her country and his unwavering devotion to his countrymen and women.”
“(We) will always cherish our time with the Queen, and we will never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom and wonderful sense of humour. What a great and beautiful lady she was – there was no one like her !” Trump wrote.
The Obamas remembered the Queen as a leader who made the role “her own”.
“Her Majesty was only 25 years old when she took on the enormous task of leading one of the world’s great democracies. In the decades that followed, she made the role of queen her own, with a reign defined by grace, elegance. and a tireless work ethic, defying the odds and expectations of women of her generation,” they wrote.
And Bill and Hillary Clinton marked the death by remembering her as a person with “grace, dignity and genuine care for the well-being of all her people.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
CNN’s Dan Merica, Sam Fossum, Kevin Liptak, Jeff Zeleny, Nicola Ruotolo, Niamh Kennedy, Xiaofei Xu, Angus Watson, Uliana Pavlova and Philip Wang contributed to this report.