City mayors from Europe, America, Africa and Asia join UK city mayors in offering their condolences after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Geordin Hill-Lewis, mayor of Cape Town, remembered how Her Majesty pledged to dedicate her ‘whole life’ to public service in his city.
‘It was in Cape Town, marking her 21st birthday in 1947, that the then-Princess Elizabeth pledged that her “whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong,’ he said.
‘The Queen lived a long and consequential life, fulfilling her pledge to serve until her very last breath at the age of 96. She was an exemplary leader of the kind seldom seen in the modern era.’
Franziska Giffey, mayor of Berlin, described the late Queen as a ‘legend during her lifetime’.
‘It was the power of her great personality that has always fascinated us Berliners. We mourn with the Windsor family, the British nation and especially with all British people living in our city,’ she said.
The mayors of Paris and Warsaw, respectively Anne Hidalgo and Rafa Trzaskowski, both joined Mayor Giffey in paying their respects.
‘On behalf of all Parisians I convey our deep sympathy and support for the people of the United Kingdom,’ said Mayor Hidalgo
Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington DC, commented: ‘Here in Washington DC, we raise the UK flag from the capitol to the White House, to stand in solidarity with the world as we mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.’
Meanwhile, mayor of Toronto John Tory described Her Majesty as ‘a beacon of eloquence, stability and commitment to duty.’
Mayor of Tel Aviv Ron Huldai said: ‘Great sorrow fell on Britain with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most important and influential leaders the world has ever known.’
Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, commented: 'Throughout a period of unprecedented transformation, she was a source of great stability, inspiring hope during the most testing of times and exemplifying the best of what it means to be British.
'I’m proud to have served as Mayor of London while Queen Elizabeth II was our monarch. I know Londoners, and people across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, are immensely proud and grateful for what she achieved for us all over so many years. I offer my condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.'
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, also conveyed his 'deepest sympathies' to the Royal Family.
