KUALA LUMPUR – The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have expressed their deepest condolences to the British royal family over the passing of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.
In a statement issued via Istana Negara’s Facebook page, the king and queen said Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered by their majesties, the government, and the people of Malaysia for her unwavering commitment to the Commonwealth, of which Malaysia is a proud member, and her efforts to promote stronger ties between the United Kingdom and Malaysia.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will also be remembered for her dedication to the people and the government of the United Kingdom as well as for her deep concern for the welfare and well-being of the people.
“Their majesties’ thoughts are with the bereaved members of the royal family and the British people in this moment of sadness and sorrow as they come together to mourn the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. May God bless Her Majesty’s soul,” the statement said.
Reminiscing on the memories of meeting Queen Elizabeth II, the royals had the pleasure of paying a courtesy visit and attending a luncheon with her at Buckingham Palace, London on December 13, 2019.
The courtesy visit and the luncheon were in conjunction with the royals’ seven-day special visit to England, which began on December 9, 2019.
Queen Elizabeth II, during her reign, visited Malaysia three times in 1972 (special visit), 1989 (11th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting), and 1998 (16th Commonwealth Games).
Earlier, it was reported that Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, died at the age of 96, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland yesterday.
Meanwhile, in an event this afternoon, Al-Sultan Abdullah recalled his memories with Queen Elizabeth II.
“I dwell on my memories with Her (Majesty) during my polo days in England as early as the 70s or 80s…when I was studying there. We had a brief chat those days including with the new king, King Charles III.
“His Majesty played in my team, the Royal Pahang in 1976, at the Guards Polo Club (England),” said the king after a closed-door book launch held here.
Al-Sultan Abdullah also recalled his last meeting with Queen Elizabeth II during a luncheon at Buckingham Palace in 2019.
“It was a very good, nice lunch. I remember her wittiness. She remembered coming to Malaysia and all that...(she was) very fond of Malaysia. It was a very personal and pleasant (moment) and we shall miss (her),” said the sultan.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said people would always remember Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
“(Queen Elizabeth II) was a great queen and great mother to England and the United Kingdom. It is very sad and very shocking for all of us.
“We express sympathy to His Majesty King Charles III and the royal family (of Britain) as well as the people of the UK. We hope under the new reign, England and the UK will continue to prosper in the future,” said Al-Sultan Abdullah. – Bernama, September 9, 2022
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