President Miloš Zeman and Czech politicians received the news of the death of the British Queen Elizabeth II by expressing deep sorrow and appreciation for her lifelong devotion to the British monarchy, work ethic, and the immense humility with which she served her country.
For the Czech president, the queen was a symbol of stability.
“Her dedicated service to the monarchy, immense humility and nobility will remain forever in our hearts,” said Zeman.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Sincere condolences to the royal family, the British people, and the people of the Commonwealth of Nations,” wrote Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
Elizabeth was a symbol of the British monarchy, Fiala told reporters before returning from the Netherlands on Thursday evening, where he was opening a new LNG terminal for Czechia.
“If we only realize the time, more than 70 years, that she was on the throne, what periods Britain went through, what Elizabeth II had to solve. And she dealt with it with great dignity, an extraordinary devotion to her service, the British people, and the British monarchy. I think that for many people, she has become a symbol of dedication, duty, nobility, and the grace with which such a high office can be handled,” added Fiala.
“With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the symbol of bravery, hard work, dedication, and humanity has left,” said Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský.
The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, said that Elizabeth will be commemorated for her devotion to the country and subservience to the welfare and needs of its inhabitants.
The President of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil, also expressed his condolences to the British royal family and the United Kingdom. Elizabeth II, according to him, was a symbol of continuity and stability. He said that King Charles III now had a demanding task ahead of him.
Thursday, Sept. 8, will be one of those days when people will remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news, Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan wrote on Twitter.
“Queen Elizabeth II was the bearer of nobility, elegance, a symbol of post-war Britain and its best traditions,” added Rakušan.
Elizabeth II it was integral to the image of the United Kingdom as a dignified, friendly country. Her death will leave a mark on the whole world, Minister for Regional Development Ivan Bartoš wrote on Twitter.
“She was a fragile, gentle, and a modest woman,” wrote former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš about the late monarch on Twitter.
“More than anyone else in the world, she embodied devoted service to the motherland, the state, and the nation. Thanks to her, Great Britain was and still is a reliable and free country and our good partner,” added Babiš.
Queen Elizabeth II, with her life, behavior, charm, and resistance to the novelties of modern times, was a constant in our lives and a symbol of the departing world, said former president Václav Klaus in response to her passing. He met Elizabeth as prime minister in 1996 when she visited Czechia, and in 2007 when she received him as president at Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth II died Thursday afternoon at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. This year, the queen celebrated 70 years on the throne. Her eldest son Charles has now become the head of the monarchy.
