By Marron Joshua F. Mendoza and Lanzelle Cruz
Celebrities across the United Kingdom and the world paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died in her Balmoral Castle summer home in Scotland on Thursday, September 8.
British stars react
British celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to the Queen, such as rock stars Mick Jagger and Ozzy Osbourne, singers Ed Sheeran and Rita Ora, rock band Duran Duran, actresses Millie Bobby Brown, Lily Collins and Dame Julie Andrews, Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling, fashion designer and former Spice Girls member Victoria Beckham and her husband, football player David Beckham.
Aside from posting his condolences to the Queen online, a former member of The Beatles, Sir Paul McCartney, who received a Knighthood from the Queen in 1997, also shared some of his fondest memories with the late monarch on his website, such as winning an essay writing competition at age 10 with an essay about the British monarchy, witnessing her coronation at a young age, performing at her Golden and Diamond Jubilees and meeting her numerous times, including one with his Beatles bandmates John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison.
“Looking back, I am honoured and amazed to see that I met Her Majesty eight or nine times, and each time she impressed me with her great sense of humour combined with great dignity,” Paul said.
Dame Helen Mirren, who played Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 Oscar-nominated film The Queen, took to Instagram to pay her respects, saying, “I am proud to be an Elizabethan. We mourn a woman, who, with or without the crown, was the epitome of nobility.”
In a statement to the PA Media news agency, James Bond actor Daniel Craig, who appeared in a skit with the Queen at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony, said, “I, like so many, was deeply saddened by the news today and my thoughts are with The Royal Family, those she loved and all those who loved her. She leaves an incomparable legacy and will be profoundly missed.”
Singer and former One Direction member Harry Styles paused his concert at the Madison Square Garden in New York City and honored the Queen by asking the audience to give a round of applause for Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.
Apart from posting his condolences on social media, singer Elton John also paused his concert at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, to remember the Queen.
“She was an inspiring presence to be around, and I’ve been around her, and she was fantastic. And she led the country in some of our greatest and darkest moments through grace, decency, and a genuine caring warmth. I’m, you know, 75, and she’s been with me all my life, and I feel very sad that she won’t be with me anymore, but I’m glad she’s at peace. I’m glad she’s at rest, and she deserves it. She worked bloody hard. I send my love to her family and her loved ones, and she will be missed, but her spirit lives on, and we celebrate her life tonight with music,” Elton said.
Paddington Bear, a children’s book character whose animated form appeared with the Queen in the opening sketch for a televised concert celebrating her Platinum Jubilee last June, tweeted his sweet thanks to the Queen, writing, “Thank you, Ma’am, for everything.”
Americans pay tribute
American celebrities, including singers Barbra Streisand, Janet Jackson, and Cher with actresses Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, and Viola Davis, also took to social media to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth.
In a tweet, actress Whoopi Goldberg remembered meeting the Queen after performing at the Royal Variety Performance in 2009.
“Several years ago, I met Queen Elizebeth at The Royal Variety Performance of 2009. As she approached me, all I could think of was WTH?? I’m an American kid from the projects, and I’m in the company of the Queen of England. I was in awe. Rest In Peace. God Save the King,” Whoopi said.
Model and media personality Paris Hilton quoted a tweet from The Royal Family and wrote, “The original girl boss. One of the most inspirational women. The end of an era. RIP”. She also posted a photo of a rainbow and people who commemorate the death of the Queen on Twitter.
Media personality and the mother of the Kardashian-Jenner family, Kris Jenner, sent her condolences to the Royal Family by posting a tweet with a photo of the Queen.
“Rest In Peace, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Graceful, dedicated, elegant, unforgettable. Today and always, we will remember her as one of the greatest leaders our world has ever seen. I send my love and condolences to the Royal Family,” Kris said.
Socialite Kim Kardashian also posted a photo of the Queen with the caption, “Rest In Peace.” She also included a crown and a dove emoji in her story.
Kim’s sister and fellow socialite Khloe Kardashian also posted her heartfelt tribute to the Queen on her Instagram story. She showed her appreciation and said that all of us should admire the ideal moral sense and her engagement with her people.
“Such an incredible woman and an inspiration to us all, she will always be remembered as someone who lead with dignity, grace, and nobility over her 70 years as Queen,” she said.
Khloe also stated that the Queen always brought a “sense of comfort” and “peace.”
“God bless the Queen and may she Rest In Peace. She is with her Prince now,” she added.
Filipino celebs join in mourning
Pinoy celebrities also paid their respects to the late Queen. Filipino-Australian actress Anne Curtis retweeted Tiffany & Co.’s tribute to the queen with the message, “May Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Rest In Peace,” paired with a dove emoji.
British-Filipino actress Bella Padilla tweeted “The London Bridge has fallen,” about Operation London Bridge, the plans set by the United Kingdom for handling Queen Elizabeth’s death and funeral.
As Queen Elizabeth II’s reign lasted for seven decades, many people living in the United Kingdom and around the world today will remember her as one of the greatest monarchs in Britain and the Commonwealth who has seen the world evolve during her 70 years on the throne.
