‘Disbelief’: Australian leaders react to Queen’s death as John Howard pays moving tribute
Queen Elizabeth II has been lauded for her humility in decades of devoted service, with the late monarch remembered as a ‘reassuring constancy’.
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Former Prime Minister John Howard has paid a moving tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, praising her unpretentious life of service.
The Queen died aged 96 peacefully at her home in Scotland on Thursday afternoon local time.
In a heartfelt address to media less than 12 hours later, Mr Howard said the Queen transcended any negativity Australians might hold towards the monarchy.
“Whatever our views are about constitutional arrangements, and everybody knows mine, should take pause to honour this incredible life,” he said.
“My own dealings with her are ones that I remember with great affection. She had a great sense of humour.’
Mr Howard complimented the Queen’s humility in her role, and lauded the late monarch for her ability to engage with anyone she encountered.
“She had fundamentally an interest in people, and fundamentally a respect for people, no matter what their station was.”
Mr Howard said the fact the Queen had met with new UK Prime Minister Liz Truss just two days before her death was a metaphor for how the monarch lived her “whole life”.
“She saw service, commitment to duty, doing the right thing constitutionally, and always understanding that she was monarch by the free will and consent of her people – not by any divine right or any immovable force in modern society,” he said.
The Queen reigned, through innumerable significant events around the world, he said, and remained a “reassuring constancy”.
“That is derived from her sense of duty, her belief in constitutional propriety and for her – a very deep religious faith,” he said.
Mr Howard said he did not meet the Queen in the first year of his Prime Ministership, but enjoyed a private audience with her at Windsor in May 1997, before sitting down for lunch with the Queen’s mother and sister.
“She had a very deep knowledge of Australia, and she talked in a very convivial fashion about Australia,” he said.
Their final meeting took place at Windsor Castle, at an Order of Merit lunch, where the Queen attended with late husband Prince Philip.
“After lunch, they walked around talking to people, and we engaged in conversation about Australia,” he said.
“I mentioned something about Winx, and of course her eyes lit up, I’d really struck a great chord.
“I think she had more knowledge of Winx than I did.”
Anthony Albanese remembered the late Queen as a monarch who performed her duty with “fidelity, integrity and humour”.
“There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.
Former Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott also paid tribute throughout the day.
“Her long life of service inspired the whole world and was a calm and gracious presence through seven decades of turbulence and change,” Mr Turnbull wrote on Twitter.
“We have lost an exemplar of duty, honour and faithfulness but deep thanks for her life should mingle with numbness and sadness at this loss,” Mr Abbott said in a statement.
Kevin Rudd, who served twice as prime minister, said he was in a “state of disbelief”.
“I think, most Australians and most Brits, I assumed somehow in my deepest recesses of my mind that the Queen would last forever,” he told Nine.
“Nine-tenths of the world’s people have known no other Queen. We can but hope the world might see her like again but none of us ever will.”
“That is when I heard the news she‘d been sick, ‘Oh, well, she always bounces back’. She got through the war, she got through the Blitz, Buckingham Palace was bombed. She survived all that. She will be fine.
“I think the mood, both for myself and (wife) Therese who is with me, but also those we have run into in the last several hours, is still one of disbelief.”
Scott Morrison remembered the late Queen as a “rock” and recalled their last conversation at Windsor Castle last year.
“Her Majesty spoke of her great admiration for the strength and resilience of Australians in the face of the many challenges we had faced,” he said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the Queen embodied the “keep calm and carry on mantra”.
“As leaders you have to deal with events as they arise and many are not predictable, and it’s in that moment, that split second decision the response and you have to deal with that,” he told Nine.
“She’s dealt with everything that’s come her way. And it’s just with such great ease.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who will step into the top role when Mr Albanese heads to London for the funeral and to meet with King Charles, said he was “shocked” by the news.
“For most of the population, we‘ve only ever known the Elizabethan Age. There is a real sense that this is a very significant moment,” he told Nine.
“I felt shocked this morning as well. I woke to a text message from the Prime Minister alerting me of the news, but there is just an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the life that she‘s led, what she’s meant to so many people and the service she has given.
“It is hard to think of another human being who has so completely devoted themselves to others, to her country, to the commonwealth as the Queen.”
Mr Albanese said in a joint statement with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet the sails of the Sydney Opera House would be lit on Friday night in honour of the Queen.
“The tribute on the sails will recognise Her late Majesty’s immense contribution to our state and nation, a fitting tribute as she officially opened the Sydney Opera House in 1973,” Mr Perrottet said.
The sails will be lit from 7.30pm to midnight, and then again on Saturday from 6.30pm to midnight.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also offered his “deep condolences” to the royal family.
“Her presence spanned countries, cultures, languages, and continents – her reign transcended decades and generations. And like no monarch before her, she captured our hearts and our affection” he said.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the Queen was an “inspiration”.
NSW parliament officials recommended canning several events planned on Friday, including an inquiry hearing.
It wasn’t clear if the state parliament would sit next week as planned.
A joint statement from the speaker of the lower house and president of the upper house said the Queen had a “strong connection” to NSW and that she visited the state 12 times.
“Queen Elizabeth II has been a faithful and shining light to her subjects. She offered support to communities throughout New South Wales in times of drought, flood, fire and a pandemic,” the pair said.
Catholic Archbishop Timothy Costello said the church said the Queen would be remembered for her courage and service.
“The death of Queen Elizabeth II, after a long reign marked by extraordinary constancy, fidelity, courage and service, will bring great sadness to many people in Australia, including members of the Catholic community,” he said.
“As the Queen enters into the great mystery of eternal life with the Lord, we will pray for the repose of her soul and for the support and comfort of her family, her nation and the wider community of the commonwealth.”
Originally published as ‘Disbelief’: Australian leaders react to Queen’s death as John Howard pays moving tribute
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