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The Obamas and Bidens are mourning Queen Elizabeth II’s death. The monarch was 96 when she died at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands on Sept. 8, passing the throne to her oldest son, King Charles.

Over the course of their time in the White House, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, President Joe Biden, and First Lady Jill Biden worked closely with the queen, and on Thursday, both families shared their sentiments and reflections in her honor. In a statement shared on the White House website, President Biden also announced that all US flags would be flown at half-mast until sunset as a “mark of respect for the memory of Queen Elizabeth II.”

Ahead, see how the Obamas and the Bidens are remembering the late royal.

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Barack and Michelle first met Queen Elizabeth II in 2009 one year after taking office. Their meeting marked the first time the queen broke “royal protocol” in several years as she and the then-first lady shared a hug. The Obamas met with the queen again in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2016, creating a special bond with the royal.

In a statement shared to their social media accounts on Thursday, the former president and former first lady said, “From the day of her coronation 70 years ago — the first one ever televised — to this very moment, as countless tributes are being posted online in her honor, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has captivated the world. Today, Michelle and I join so many others who are celebrating her life and mourning her passing.”

“Her Majesty was just 25 years old when she took on the enormous task of helming one of the world’s great democracies. In the decades that followed, she would go on to make the role of Queen her own — with a reign defined by grace, elegance, and a tireless work ethic, defying the odds and expectations placed on women of her generation.”

“During World War II, she became the first-ever female royal to serve on active military duty. And through periods of prosperity and stagnation — from the moon landing, to the fall of the Berlin Wall, to the dawn of the digital age — she served as a beacon of hope and stability for the people of the United Kingdom and the world.”

Barack continued, “Her Majesty worked with 15 Prime Ministers and countless foreign heads of state. She listened deeply, thought strategically, and was responsible for considerable diplomatic achievements. And yet, she wore her lofty titles with a light touch — as willing to act in a comic sketch for the London Olympics as she was to record steadying messages for the people of the UK during the COVID-19 lockdowns.”

“Michelle and I were lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us. Back when we were just beginning to navigate life as President and First Lady, she welcomed us to the world stage with open arms and extraordinary generosity. Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humor and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance.”

“Like so many, Michelle and I are grateful to have witnessed Her Majesty’s dedicated leadership, and we are awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of the United Kingdom at this difficult time.”

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