Thursday 8 September 2022 08:49 PM Anthony Albanese praises The Queen for her 70 years of service trends now
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised The Queen's dedication to duty and service, and comfort to Australia in times of crisis, as she died aged 96,
The Australian prime minister offered his condolences to the Royal Family, the British people, and all his own people who held Her Majesty in the highest regard.
Mr Albanese's lengthy statement paid tribute to her many achievements and incredible strength of character over her 70 years and 214 day reign.
'With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, an historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service has come to an end,' he said.
The Queen's place in the hearts of millions of Australians was as abiding as her lifelong relationship with the one-time colony. She is pictured receiving flowers from waiting school children waving flags after a Commonwealth Day Service in Sydney in March 2006
Australian Prime Minister (pictured in parliament hours before news of The Queens's dire health broke) offered his condolences to the Royal Family, the British people, and all his own people who held Her Majesty in the highest regard
'The government and the people of Australia offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are grieving for a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother - the person whom for so long was their greatest inner strength.
'Australian hearts go out to the people of the UK who mourn today, knowing they will feel they have lost part of what makes their nation whole.
'There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty's own words: "Grief is the price we pay for love".'
Mr Albanese, a republican who will likely begin the push to end the monarchy after a respectful time, said many Australians would feel a strong sense of loss when they awoke to the news on Friday.
'This is a loss we all feel, for few have known a world without Queen Elizabeth II. In her seven remarkable decades on the throne, Her Majesty was a rare and reassuring constant amidst rapid change,' he said.
'Through the noise and tumult of the years, she embodied and exhibited a timeless decency and an enduring calm.
'From the moment the young princess became Queen, shouldering the mighty weight of the institution into which she was born, Her Majesty made dedication to duty and service above self the hallmark of her reign.'
The Queen first visited Australia with Prince Philip in 1954, arriving on the SS Gothic which steamed into Sydney Harbour after almost six weeks at sea. She is pictured with Prince Philip at Parliament House in Canberra during that tour
Mr Albanese noted that The Queen was a loyal friend to Australia, the UK's closest Commonwealth ally, and was beloved by many of its people.
He thanked her for the sympathy she showed during times of national crisis and loss, such as condolences sent during national disasters - most recently the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20.
'She celebrated our good times, she stood with us in the bad. Happy and glorious but steadfast too. In particular, we recall the sympathy and personal kindness she extended to Australians afflicted by tragedy and disaster.' he said.
'Throughout it all, she was a monarch who let her humanity show, performing her duty with fidelity, integrity and humour.
'In this, she was supported so long and so lovingly by the late Prince Philip, her "strength and stay" for 73 years.'
The Queen visited Australia in 1954, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2011 - her last time on these shores. She is pictured in 1981
The prime minister recalled how The Queen visited
