A file photo taken on Oct 12, 2018 of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The government will confirm the length of national mourning, which is likely to be around 12 to 13 days, from now until the day after the queen's funeral. Photo: Alastair Grant/POOL/AFP
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah has extended condolences on behalf of the government and the people of Malaysia over the demise of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.
The Foreign Minister said Her majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a towering figure and led a lifetime of dedication and service to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth.
"Malaysia extends sincere condolences to the monarch's family, the people and the government of the United Kingdom on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II," he wrote in a Facebook post on Friday (Sept 9).
On Thursday (Sept 8), Queen Elizabeth, Britain's longest-reigning monarch and the nation's figurehead for seven decades, died at 96 years old.
Elizabeth's eldest son Charles, 73, automatically becomes king of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. His wife Camilla becomes Queen Consort.
ALSO READ: Queen Elizabeth dies at 96
Her family had rushed to be by her side at her Scottish home, Balmoral Castle, after doctors expressed concern about her health. She had been suffering from what Buckingham Palace has called "episodic mobility problems" since the end of last year, forcing her to withdraw from nearly all her public engagements.
Queen Elizabeth II, who was also the world's oldest and longest-serving head of state, came to the throne following the death of her father King George VI on Feb. 6, 1952, when she was just 25.
Suriana Welfare Society chairman Dr James Nayagam also shared a photo of him accompanying Queen Elizabeth during one of her trips to Malaysia.
"I shall remember this moment with the Queen in PJ," he said.
ALSO READ: Elton John, Helen Mirren, Mick Jagger mourn Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth, during her reign, had visited Malaysia three times, namely in 1972 (special visit), 1989 (11th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) and 1998 (the closing of the 16th Commonwealth Games).
The man behind The Body Shop and Aquaria KLCC Datuk Simon Foong shared a picture of him meeting Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II.
"We had the honour of having met and spoken to Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II. She was kind and gracious, humorous and completely present at our brief meeting. Truly a great Queen and a loss to humanity, a gain for heaven," he wrote in an Instagram post.
