"Today we are so sad."
It is with these words that the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron began his tribute to the Queen of England, the day after the announcement of the death of Elizabeth II, at the age of 96.
The Head of State had quickly reacted to this historic event by publishing a first message on Thursday evening.
He wanted to take more time to look back on the life of a queen who has shown so much closeness to France and its leaders over the past 70 years.
To you, she was your Queen.
To us, she was The Queen.
She will be with all of us forever.
pic.twitter.com/PaL1DRmlHK
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 9, 2022
He wanted to record in English the video broadcast this Friday, directly addressed to the British people.
“It is with great sadness that the French people learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, he explains, highlighting his “wisdom” as well as his “empathy”, so precious to chart a course among "the hazards of the history of the last 70 years".
His death, continues the President of the Republic, "leaves us a feeling of emptiness".
For him, Elizabeth II demonstrated from the start of her reign her "strength" and her "courage".
That of “a life marked by war” but also the courage to defend the values of “freedom and tenacity”.
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Then the Head of State discusses these very special relationships that the Queen has maintained with France.
With its presidents, she who has known ten successive heads of state.
With our language, which she mastered perfectly.
With our culture, which she loved, as Emmanuel Macron notes.
“Since her coronation, she has met with all of our presidents.
No other country has had the privilege of receiving it as often as we have," says Emmanuel Macron, before hailing his status as a great head of state, a unique example of devotion to his people and an ally. very close.
“For you, she was your queen.
For us, she was THE queen.
She will be with us forever, ”still supports Emmanuel Macron.
Before concluding: “we are with you”.
A few minutes after the broadcast of the video, Emmanuel Macron went to the British Embassy in Paris to sign the register of condolences.
"Your queen was a figure, a presence that accompanied 70 years of British and European life," he said.