President Barack Obama shared a recorded tribute to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as millions across the world mourned her death during her funeral.
The President shared his tribute, which previously aired on the BBC and on CBS, on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. High resolution video files of the tribute can also be found here (with captions) and here (with captions; password is “CROWN22”). A full transcript of the video is included below.
The Obama Foundation also posted this webpage that highlights a few of the special moments that President and Mrs. Obama shared with Queen Elizabeth II over the years, and highlights her Majesty’s legacy of tireless and dignified public service.
—
Transcript of President Obama’s Recorded Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
The first time that I met the Queen was visiting London. She reminded me very much of my grandmother, which surprised me, not just in appearance but also in manner, very gracious but also no-nonsense. Wry sense of humor. She could not have been more kind or thoughtful to me and Michelle.
Shortly thereafter, Michelle and Malia and Sasha, my two daughters, had occasion to go back to England. Buckingham Palace reached out and Her Majesty had invited Michelle and the two girls to tea. She had then offered the girls to drive in her golden carriage around the grounds of Buckingham Palace. It was the sort of generosity and consideration that left a mark in my daughter’s lives that’s still there.
The queen was an excellent listener. She had a genuine curiosity, although she was impatient to get to the point.
This is in 2011 and we had been invited to a state dinner at Buckingham Palace. State dinners at Buckingham Palace are a little different than state dinners everywhere else. The Queen was dressed up quite a bit for this state dinner. And it was a little bit concerning for Michelle because as a gift to Her Majesty, Michelle had selected a small, modest brooch of nominal value.
We reciprocated the following evening with a dinner that we hosted at the American Embassy, but the one thing we immediately notice is that she’s wearing the brooch that Michelle had given. And it was an example of the subtle thoughtfulness that she consistently displayed, not just to us but everybody who she interacted with.
She was very mindful of guests at Buckingham Palace not overstaying their welcome. She was looking at her watch and at some point said, “Well, okay, it’s time to go.” And the same was true as a guest, she wasn’t interested in overstaying her welcome. She looked at her at her watch at a certain point and said “All right, I think we need to wrap this up.”
The combination of a sense of duty and a clear understanding of her role as a symbol for a nation and as the carrier of a certain set of values, combined with a very human quality of kindness and consideration. I think that’s what made her so beloved, not just in Great Britain, but around the world.
