'God save the queen': Londoners and tourists wish monarch well

08 September 2022 - 18:29 By Reuters
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Crowds are seen outside Buckingham Palace on September 8, 2022 in London, England. Buckingham Palace issued a statement earlier today saying that Queen Elizabeth was placed under medical supervision in Balmoral due to concerns about her health.
Crowds are seen outside Buckingham Palace on September 8, 2022 in London, England. Buckingham Palace issued a statement earlier today saying that Queen Elizabeth was placed under medical supervision in Balmoral due to concerns about her health.
Image: Leon Neal/Getty Images

“Get well soon” was the message from Londoners and tourists on Thursday after doctors said they were concerned about the health of Queen Elizabeth.

“Everybody is really stressed about it, we have had her for 70 years so we need to digest the whole thing because it suddenly happened,” London resident Sharon Gove said outside Buckingham Palace.

“Two days ago she was with the new prime minister then suddenly everybody is concerned about her. So it is not very nice but God save the queen!”

Members of the royal family rushed to be with the 96-year-old monarch at her Scottish home, Balmoral Castle, where she had appointed Liz Truss as the new British prime minister on Tuesday.

The thoughts of American tourist Lupe Garcia, 60, were also with the family.

“Well I think it is very sad, I hope the recuperates very quickly. I think everybody loves her and respects her and we want what is best for her and her family,” she said.

Some well-wishers were drawn to the palace just to be there after the news that the queen was ailing broke.

“I work close by and I heard on the news about her majesty’s failing health so I was concerned and it led me to come to Buckingham Palace, to be at the heart of the monarchy,” said Alexander Caplan, a 40-year-old who works as a technology entrepreneur.

Others were thinking of the queen and her family elsewhere on the streets of London.

Student Beatriz Cintra, 29, said she hoped the queen recovered and that the royal family could “navigate through this difficult period united and that they find peace in whatever happens”.

Bar tender Albert Laane, 18, summed up the thoughts of many, saying: “Hey Elizabeth, get well soon.”

Reuters 

White House says Biden's thoughts are with Queen Elizabeth, her family

 The White House said on Thursday that President Joe Biden had been briefed about the situation with Britain's ailing Queen Elizabeth and that his thoughts were with her and her family.

“His and the first lady's thoughts are solidly and squarely with the queen today and her family,” White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

Reuters 

Queen Elizabeth's health: Reaction from politicians and officials

Britain's royal family rushed to be with Queen Elizabeth after doctors said they were concerned about the health of the 96-year-old monarch on Thursday and said she should remain under medical supervision.

Here is some reaction to the news:

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER LIZ TRUSS

“The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime. My thoughts — and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom — are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time.”

OPPOSITION LABOUR LEADER KEIR STARMER

“Along with the rest of the country, I am deeply worried by the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon. My thoughts are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time, and I join everyone across the United Kingdom in hoping for her recovery.”

LEADER OF OPPOSITION LIBERAL DEMOCRATS ED DAVEY

“The whole nation’s thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family as we all hope and pray for her full recovery.”

FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND NICOLA STURGEON

“All of us are feeling profoundly concerned at reports of Her Majesty’s health. My thoughts and wishes are with the Queen and all of the Royal Family at this time.”

FIRST MINISTER OF WALES MARK DRAKEFORD

“Concerned to hear the news from Buckingham Palace. I send my best wishes to Her Majesty and her family on behalf of the people of Wales.”

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY JUSTIN WELBY

“My prayers, and the prayers of people across the @churchofengland and the nation, are with Her Majesty The Queen today. May God’s presence strengthen and comfort Her Majesty, her family, and those who are caring for her at Balmoral.”

PRESIDENT OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE OF ENGLAND AND WALES, CARDINAL VINCENT NICHOLS

“I am concerned to hear the news about the Her Majesty The Queen's health. I offer my prayers for her and her family. May the blessings of the Lord strengthen and comfort her and her family.”

SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT LINDSAY HOYLE

“I know I speak on behalf of the entire House when I say we send all the best wishes to Her Majesty The Queen.”

UN SPOKESPERSON STEPHANE DUJARRIC

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' “thoughts are with the Queen, her family and the people of the United Kingdom at this time”.

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA JUSTIN TRUDEAU

“My thoughts, and the thoughts of Canadians across the country, are with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at this time. We’re wishing her well, and sending our best to the Royal Family.”

AUSTRALIA'S GOVERNOR-GENERAL DAVID HURLEY

“Following news from Buckingham Palace, and on behalf of all Australians, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley’s thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal family at this time.”

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON JOHN KIRBY AFTER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN BRIEFED ON SITUATION

“His and the first lady's thoughts are solidly and squarely with the queen today and her family.”

U.S. SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL

“The queen is an exemplar of steady leadership and a beloved figure around the world. She has been a historic friend of the US. The decades of her reign have seen a profound deepening of the special relationship between our two countries that has literally changed the world. The queen, the royal family, and all our friends in the United Kingdom have our thoughts and our prayers.”

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO UNITED KINGDOM JANE HARTLEY

“I join the people of the United Kingdom, the US, and across the world in sending our thoughts and prayers to Her Majesty The Queen and her family.”

COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY-GENERAL PATRICIA SCOTLAND

“Like everyone, I am deeply concerned to hear the statement from Buckingham Palace today. On behalf of every nation and citizen of the Commonwealth family, I send my best wishes to Her Majesty and the Royal Family. She will remain in my prayers.”

EU COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN

“My thoughts and prayers are with her. She represents the whole history of the Europe that is our common home with our British friends, she has always given us stability and confidence, she has shown an immense amount of courage, and is a legend in my eyes.”

FORMER PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR, VIA HIS INSTITUTE

“It is deeply concerning to hear today's news from Buckingham Palace. My thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this worrying time.”

FORMER PRIME MINISTER DAVID CAMERON

“Deeply concerned by the news this afternoon from Buckingham Palace. I send my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this worrying time.”

 

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