'She truly loved Canada and we loved her back': Canadians react to the death of Queen Elizabeth II
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The news of Queen Elizabeth II's passing is inspiring different emotions amongst many Canadians.
The website for the British Monarchy posted a photo of the Queen, along with the years of her birth and death, with the following statement: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
It also noted that the official website of the Royal Family is temporarily unavailable while appropriate changes are made.
In his first statement under his new time, her son, King Charles III, said that the death of his "beloved" Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, was a "moment of the greatest sadness" for his family and the world.
"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother," he said. "I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."
During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.King Charles III
Many took to social media to express their feelings about life in Canada without the Queen. Since Queen Elizabeth has reigned longer than Queen Victoria, some expressed how challenging it would be to imagine someone else taking over that position.
It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth was a wonderful Monarch. She truly loved Canada and we loved her back. My condolences to the Queen's family as they mourn the loss of their Mother and Grandmother. She will be remembered for her wit and wisdom and deep caring of her subjects. pic.twitter.com/ckui2lLnPZ
— Susan Clunie (@SueCLunie) September 8, 2022
Growing up in Canada, I saw the face of Queen Elizabeth II every day. She was on every coin, depicted as a Roman god, and every dollar bill. When you bought a bus ticket, a pack of hockey cards, or lunch, you saw the Queen. She seemed timeless. It's hard to believe she's gone. pic.twitter.com/Ieo0I463Qa
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) September 8, 2022
The Premier regrets to confirm the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, who served Canada with outstanding dedication for 70 years.
On behalf of New Brunswickers, sincere sympathies are extended to HM the King and the members of the Royal Family.
GOD SAVE THE KING! pic.twitter.com/eWPWNzKAV1— Blaine Higgs (@premierbhiggs) September 8, 2022
Queen of Canada minutiae. (yes, she was also The Queen of Canada…our symbolic head of state). Yes, things like the money now changes. Things I took for granted for my entire life. pic.twitter.com/GnigDJAPSY
— Mick Kern (@expomick) September 8, 2022
The Queen of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II, was a force for good.
The embodiment of stability, duty, and of grace, she reigned for more than 70 years.
Rest in peace, your majesty.
And thank you. pic.twitter.com/mXfwdZWJZ6— PETRIFIED COVID PARENT (@covid_parent) September 8, 2022
This is a day of profound grief and loss for the people of the UK, Canada and the whole of the Commonwealth. Her Majesty The Queen gave seventy years of loyal duty and service: she was an inspiration to many of us. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult moment. pic.twitter.com/BHJPCYeQ4u
— Susannah Goshko (@SusannahGoshko) September 8, 2022
Just yesterday the Queen sent the people of Canada and Saskatchewan a message of condolence. Faithful and generous to the end. https://t.co/lASmAHxnZP
— Mike Buckley (@mdbuckley) September 8, 2022
The Queen came to Canada for a Royal Visit & I was assigned bodyguard/motorcade driver. Post event Her Majesty got in the car & said “Thank you, have you had anything to eat?” I never forgot how down to earth Her Majesty was. Thank you. 70 years of public service #QueenElizabeth
— DaleSheehan (@dale_l_sheehan) September 8, 2022
On this day, my heart is with our Queen. It was the "Dominion of Canada" that gave our family refugee status. The Red Ensign was our flag - Her Government - Our Sovereign. My allegiance is to our country - our Queen -without apology. God Save the Queen. pic.twitter.com/9EY1TgYKvj
— Charles Adler (@charlesadler) September 8, 2022
Others expressed that the passing of the Queen should be an opportunity for Canada to consider severing its ties with the monarchy, and some wondered what will happen to the face of our currency.
Someone educate me … I’m Canadian and generally feel that the royals are useless … what did the queen actually do for Canada?
— Troy Ferguson (@TroyFer49458765) September 8, 2022
I was hoping this moment would be the end of Canada's association with the House of Windsor as the cognitive dissonance of Charles on our money would be too much...
But then the Queen went on to basically outlive cash, so I think we'll be too lazy to change the constitution now.— J. Kelly Nestruck (@nestruck) September 8, 2022
News here in Canada has people nearly in tears talking about the queen.
Like I know technically she is our queen too but I have never in my life met anyone who cared about the royals so this is weird.— Rooflemonger (@Rooflemonger) September 8, 2022
Canada should get rid of monarchy once the queen 👸 is gone, Our deal expires with her. pic.twitter.com/47HWlPqamu
— Rivals are Us (@UsRivals) September 8, 2022
Ok. There's just no logical argument for this. Monarchy should not exist here or anywhere in 2022. It's an anachronism. https://t.co/QGQFPt3l6N
— Andrea Houston (@dreahouston) September 8, 2022
A survey conducted last year found that most Canadians won’t be as interested in the monarchy if the Queen’s successor, Prince Charles, takes over. Queen Elizabeth had reigned over Canada since 1952.