Jacinda Ardern’s anecdote, and subsequent heartfelt tribute to Her Majesty, is just one of many from Commonwealth heads of nations. New Zealand Under New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements, the Queen is also the country’s monarch and head of state, and Ms Ardern described her as “extraordinary”. He said: “The last days of the Queen’s life capture who she was in so many ways – working to the end on behalf of the people she loved.” He added that, like many other people, he felt not only deep sadness but also deep gratitude. “Here is a woman who gave her life, completely, in the service of others. And regardless of what one thinks of the role of monarchies around the world, there is undeniably, I think here, a demonstration of someone who gave everything for of her people, and her people included the people of Aotearoa New Zealand’. Read more: Gun salutes, national address and 10 hours of tributes: How the country will mark the Queen’s death on Friday Nigeria Another of the Commonwealth nations, Nigeria, gained independence from the British in 1960, four years after the late queen’s first official visit to the West African nation. When Elizabeth last visited in 2003, she spoke of Nigeria’s critical role in the Commonwealth and applauded the country for its “leading role in the new partnership for Africa’s development”. Its current president, Muhammadu Buhari, expressed “immense sadness” over her death. “Her late Majesty was the only British sovereign known to 90% of our population,” he said, describing the late queen’s reign as “unique and wonderful”. He added: “The history of modern Nigeria will never be complete without a chapter on Queen Elizabeth II, a towering world figure and an extraordinary leader. “She dedicated her life to making her nation, the Commonwealth and the whole world a better place,” Mr Buhari added. The queen’s death comes as a growing number of British Caribbean territories seek to replace the monarch with their own heads of state, amid demands for Britain to apologize for colonial-era abuses – and reparations for slavery in its former colonies. Jamaica However, Caribbean leaders from Jamaica to Bermuda and beyond mourned her death. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that since her coronation in 1953, the Queen had visited the island every decade until 2002. “Undoubtedly, she created a special bond with the people of Jamaica during her reign,” he said. “We regret that we will not see her light again, but we will remember her historic reign.” In March, when Prince William and Kate visited Jamaica as part of an official trip to the Caribbean, Mr Holness made a surprise public announcement that the Commonwealth country intended to become fully independent. Jamaica has since established a Constitutional Reform Commission and is scheduled to hold a referendum in 2025. If passed, it will join other republics in the region, including Barbados, Dominica, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Image: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after signing the book of condolence at Parliament House in Canberra Australia The Queen used to be Australia’s official head of state, although these days the role is seen as mostly ceremonial. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said she is the only reigning monarch most Australians have known and the only one to ever visit their country. “And over a remarkable seven decades, Her Majesty has been a rare and reassuring constant amid rapid change,” he said. “Through the noise and turmoil of the years, he embodied and demonstrated a timeless grace and an enduring calm.” Canada Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it “a constant presence in our lives.” He said: “Her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.” “I find it hard to believe that my last meeting with her was my last,” Trudeau added. “I will miss these conversations very much.” More: Queen sends subtle message to Ukraine as she meets Canadian PM Elizabeth, who was Canada’s head of state, visited the country 22 times as monarch. Ghana In Ghana, which joined the Commonwealth in 1957, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recalled Elizabeth’s visits to his country and praised “the friendliness, elegance, style and sheer joy she brought to the performance of her duties ». He added: “We will miss her inspiring presence, her calmness, her stability and, above all, her great love and faith in the higher purpose of the Commonwealth of Nations and her ability to be a force for good in our world. “, he said in a statement. Bermuda Bermuda Prime Minister David Bart noted that her reign “made decades of such enormous change for the UK and the world”. He said she had lived a life of “unrequited duty” and was “a model of strength and devotion to country”.
