Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Sept. 6, 2022 (Pool photo: Jane Barlow)
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, 2022 has elicited an immediate outpouring of love and respect from the entertainment world. Britain’s longest reigning monarch had celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, representing 70 years of service, on June 2-5 with a series of public events, only some of which she was able to attend, due to her declining health. The Queen had turned 96 on April 21.
The announcement of her passing was on the royal family’s official website. It read simply, “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Music legends offered their respects and gratitude to the Queen. In his tribute, Mick Jagger wrote, “I remember her as a beautiful young lady… to the much beloved grandmother of the nation.”
Ozzy Osbourne said, “With a heavy heart I say it is devastating the thought of England without Queen Elizabeth II.” Elton John wrote, in part, “She was an inspiring presence to be around, and lead the country through some of our greatest, and darkest, moments with a grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth.”
As Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling noted, “Most British people have never known another monarch, she’s been a thread winding through all of our lives.”
A statement from His Majesty The King: pic.twitter.com/AnBiyZCher
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has always been there. In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the Royal family. pic.twitter.com/3JLILZDKwK
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) September 8, 2022
I mourn with my country the passing of our greatest Queen. With a heavy heart I say it is devastating the thought of England without Queen Elizabeth II pic.twitter.com/JZYXGRz2hb
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) September 8, 2022
To God We Belong and To God We Return, she never failed to serve her country. A loyal and unforgettable Queen.#QueenElisabeth pic.twitter.com/SNgWVvJnfH
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) September 8, 2022
God bless Queen Elizabeth II
May she rest in peace
Long live The KingPaul McCartney pic.twitter.com/fK9wXqkAsa
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) September 8, 2022
The Beatles’ social media accounts paid tribute
The highlight of June’s four-day celebration was the Platinum Party at the Palace on June 4, with musical performances from top music stars including Brian May, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Duran Duran and Alicia Keys, performing in front of Buckingham Palace, the royal residence in London. (Elton John, who was out of the country on his farewell tour, provided a pre-recorded performance.) The event attracted the BBC’s largest audience of the year with 13.4 million viewers.
And from the Golden Jubilee in 2002…
Rod Stewart, whose brother, Don, died two days’ earlier at age 94, wrote, “Like Don, the Queen has been a presence all through my life as a great unifier.” He went on to write, “What a privilege it was to perform for her. My deepest sympathies to the Royal Family. God save the King.”
A double rainbow shimmered across the crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace. When the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death broke, after a hush, people broke into “God Save the Queen.” https://t.co/XgIbaYjsEL pic.twitter.com/g0Q3ZDsNuv
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 8, 2022
Sir Tom Jones wrote, in part: “Queen Elizabeth II was a constant presence and inspiration throughout my life. She was a reassuring force in difficult times, her dedication was faultless and her commitment to duty unrivaled.”
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) September 8, 2022
Eric Clapton opened his brief U.S. tour that evening by performing “God Save the Queen.”
From one of the most iconic British brands…
Thank you Ma’am, for everything.
— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) September 8, 2022
The Premier League is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II. Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family and everyone around the world mourning the loss of Her Majesty. pic.twitter.com/UlaLXEOdke
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 8, 2022
Most British people have never known another monarch, so she’s been a thread winding through all our lives. She did her duty by the country right up until her dying hours, and became an enduring, positive symbol of Britain all over the world. She’s earned her rest. #TheQueen
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 8, 2022
She served with the utmost grace, honor and dignity for 70 years. Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth. pic.twitter.com/DQr8gkqtzy
— Carole King (@Carole_King) September 8, 2022
A great lady with a good sense of humour. She was Queen since I was ten. pic.twitter.com/Gtr8yK40WR
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) September 8, 2022
Serenity =reality =inner peace and strength
👑God bless Her Majesty 👑
❤️🙏☀️ 💕X pic.twitter.com/iIeKp9hKY6— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) September 8, 2022
Judas Priest’s Rob Halford wrote, “my second mom has gone..her majesty felt like that to so many of us..her sense of love, duty and devotion and the wisdom a long life brings was like an open book for us all to learn from” 💔
— Duran Duran (@duranduran) September 8, 2022
I had a quiet weep for the Queen, I am sad for my country and what it has lost.
Sting CBE. pic.twitter.com/mN19yt1lfE— Sting (@OfficialSting) September 8, 2022
RIP our Queen Elizabeth. Thank you, Ma’am, for everything.
— Pattie Boyd (@thepattieboyd) September 9, 2022
From Roger Daltrey: “I am, like everyone else, immensely saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her devotion to duty and service to this country, as well as those of the Commonwealth, is something that was admired by people the world over.
My generation was lucky to have her in our lives as someone who brought us all closer together and bridged divides. A ray of light in a sometimes very dark world. What a great woman. She will be truly missed.”
And Pete Townshend: “I’m very sad. Elizabeth was a great and strong Queen. But I am happy to have Charles as King. He is a good man. So I have conflicted emotions. Elizabeth’s funeral will be a turning point for our country. It’s time to think about how we want our future to unfold. There is always hope.”
Rest well, Your Majesty pic.twitter.com/mFIvsFE1U4
— Dick Van Dyke (@iammrvandy) September 9, 2022
Steve Winwood wrote, “I was born in the reign of George VI, and so I was lucky enough to just about remember the coronation celebrations, and live through the whole reign of our most gracious Queen. In a complicated world, she reigned over her subjects with strength, wisdom, humility and grace, was loved by people the world over, and was a comfort to us all. May she rest in Peace.”
I had the honor of not only performing on stage for Her Majesty The Queen at least 4 times, but also had the great privilege of meeting her. I’m deeply saddened by the news. My thoughts are with her family & with everyone around the world during this time. May she rest in peace🕊 pic.twitter.com/ipT34g9sjc
— Donny Osmond (@donnyosmond) September 8, 2022
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