The Seacoast Mourns Queen Elizabeth II
Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern recalled the connections between his city and its namesake in England as Seacoast politicians expressed their condolences following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
The queen passed away surrounded by family at Balmoral castle in Scotland, where she had been staying in recent months as her health declined. Days before her death, her final official act as Queen was the appointment of Liz Truss as England's new Prime Minister. In an official photo, she was standing with the aide of a cane and smiling as she shook hands with Truss.
McEachern said his city joined the world in mourning the queen's death at the age of 96.
"Portsmouth, New Hampshire is heir not only to the name of the port city of Portsmouth, England, but to many of the cultural traditions and touchstones of the UK, not least of which is our shared language. Yet that language fails us at this historic moment as we try to speak of how Queen Elizabeth helped make the world a better place. We will miss her," McEachern said in a statement.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said the queen guided England through 70 years of historic events with a "resolve and and a deep passion and love for her citizens."
"I join the people of New Hampshire in mourning her passing, and our condolences are with the Royal Family, and the people of the UK during this time," the governor said on his Twitter account.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills also offered condolences on behalf of her state.
"Queen Elizabeth served with dignity and grace across her historic seventy year reign. On behalf of the people of Maine, I offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth," Mills said on her Twitter account.
New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen recalled that that the queen took the throne at the age of 25 in 1952 as England was still recovering from World War II.
"In her 70 years on the throne, she bore witness to the most consequential events that our world has ever seen and helped foster the close and important relationship that the United States shares with the United Kingdom. My thoughts are with her children, grandchildren and extended family at this difficult time. I hope they can take consolation in the monumental legacy she has left on the world," Shaheen said in a statement.
Sen. Maggie Hassan sounded a similar theme in her message.
"Queen Elizabeth II led her life with an unwavering devotion to Britain. For 70 years, she was a source of comfort & trust for her country. Her character epitomizes the resiliency & strength of the British people. My prayers are with the Royal Family & all who are mourning today," Hassan wrote on her Twitter account.
"Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered for her strength and resoluteness through decades of service, including some of her nation’s—and the world’s—most tumultuous moments. I join all those remembering her and mourning her loss," Rep. Chris Pappas wrote.
The Queen's funeral is a 10 day process that is still being finalized. Her body will be moved to the ballroom at Balmoral while King Charles III will deliver an address to England on Friday.
Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH