Tributes to Queen Elizabeth: celebrities remember British monarch's life

Actors, musicians and fashion designers have shared messages in the hours since the queen's death was announced

The UK's Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. She acceded to the throne in 1953 and was the world’s longest-serving head of state. Getty

The queen was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Getty

Queen Elizabeth at the funeral of her husband Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in April 2021. Getty

Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Home Park. She stayed at Windsor Castle during the coronavirus pandemic.

The queen and Prince Charles during the opening of parliament in December 2019. Getty

From left, Queen Elizabeth, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth views a portrait of her by British artist Henry Ward that marked six decades of patronage to the British Red Cross. Getty

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at The Mall in 2016 for an event to celebrate her 90th birthday. Getty

The queen at a Chelsea Flower Show display in 2016. Getty

A train line in London is named after the monarch in 2016. Getty

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip inaugurate the new Scottish Borders Railway in 2015, on the day she became Britain's longest-reigning monarch. Getty

The queen and Prince Harry at the Chelsea Flower show in 2015. Getty

The queen records her Christmas message in 3D for the first time in 2012. Getty

The Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth watch a children's sporting event in 2012. Getty

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace. Getty

Barack Obama, US president at the time, and his wife Michelle meet the queen in London in 2011. Getty

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge mark their wedding from the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the queen and Prince Philip. Getty

The monarch opens the Sainsbury Laboratory for Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge in 2011. Getty

Queen Elizabeth with Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at Windsor Castle after their wedding in 2005. Getty

Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Prince Harry attend the Trooping the Colour parade in 2003. Getty

Queen Elizabeth at an event to celebrate her mother's 101st birthday in 2001. Getty

The queen and Prince Philip view tributes to Princess Diana at Buckingham Palace after her funeral in 1997. Getty

Queen Elizabeth with Nelson Mandela at a banquet in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1995. Getty

The monarch with Princess Diana in 1987. Getty

The queen with Prince William and Prince Harry watch a polo match in Windsor in 1987. Getty

Prince Charles is presented with an award by his mother after a polo match in 1984. Getty

Ronald Reagan, US president at the time, and the queen attend a gala dinner at Windsor Castle in 1982. Getty

Prince Charles and Princess Diana with the queen on their wedding day in 1981. Getty

The queen with Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Philip, Prince Edward and Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 1972. Getty

Queen Elizabeth during a visit to New Zealand in 1970. Getty

The UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace in 1969. Getty

Queen Elizabeth presents the World Cup to England captain Bobby Moore in 1966. Getty

Queen Elizabeth at the Tissisal Falls with Emperor Haile Selassie during a visit to Ethiopia in 1965. Getty

Dwight Eisenhower, US president at the time, with the queen, Prince Philip, Princess Anne and Prince Charles at Balmoral Castle in 1959. Getty

Queen Elizabeth at Highclere Castle in 1958. Getty

Queen Elizabeth at her coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, London, in 1953. Getty

The queen at Buckingham Palace after her coronation ceremony. Getty

Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle in 1952. Photo: Bettmann Archive

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1952. Getty

Princess Elizabeth with Prince Philip at the Royal Horse Show at Windsor in 1949. Getty

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on their wedding day in 1947. Getty

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace after their wedding. Getty

Princess Elizabeth repairs a vehicle during the Second World War. Getty

Princess Elizabeth as Prince Florziel during a Christmas production of 'Cinderella' at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret play with their pet chameleon at Windsor Castle in 1941. Getty

Princess Elizabeth makes her first broadcast, alongside Princess Margaret, in 1940. Getty

Princess Elizabeth at her childhood home in London in 1936. Getty

Princess Elizabeth with her grandfather King George V and grandmother Queen Mary of Teck in 1935. Getty

Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret and their mother Queen Elizabeth cross a railway bridge near the Scottish town of Forfar in 1933. Getty

Princess Elizabeth watches a pipe band play in the grounds of Glamis Castle near Forfar in 1929. Getty

In the hours since the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was announced, celebrities around the world have paid tribute.

Queen Elizabeth II dies — follow the latest news as the world mourns

The monarch, who celebrated 70 years on the throne this year, died in Scotland on Thursday.

Prince Charles is now King Charles III.

Queen Elizabeth II meets celebrities — in pictures

“Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing,” Sir Elton John wrote in a statement shared on Twitter.

“She was an inspiring presence to be around, and led the country through some of our greatest, and darkest, moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth.

"Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.”

Dame Helen Mirren said the queen was the "epitome of nobility".

"I am proud to be an Elizabethan," Mirren wrote on Instagram. "We mourn a woman, who, with or without the crown, was the epitome of nobility."

British fashion designer Victoria Beckham wrote on Instagram: "Today is a very sad day, not just for our country but for the entire world. I’m deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved monarch, Her Majesty The Queen.

"She will be remembered for her steadfast loyalty and service, and my thoughts are with the royal family at this incredibly sad time."

Touchingly, Paddington Bear, the popular children's character, paid tribute to the monarch, referring to the video sketch in which he featured with the queen to celebrate her platinum jubilee.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling explained the effect of the shock of Queen Elizabeth's death to British people, saying it may seem "quaint or odd" but "she’s been a thread winding through all our lives".

Author Ariana Huffington praised the queen's "amazing legacy" over her seven-decade reign.

British designer Stella McCartney, who was was awarded an OBE for her services to fashion in 2013, offered her "sincerest condolences" to the royal family.

British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley shared a portrait of the queen to her Instagram, page, writing: "Forever our Queen."

British comedian Sue Perkins reflected on the queen's "extraordinary life" in a tweet, adding that it is "so strange to be suddenly without".

In the moments after news that the queen had died, presenter and author Stephen Fry tweeted his sadness, writing: "Oh dear. Oh my. Oh heavens. Bless my soul. Oh lor. Heck.

"I don’t know why I’m sobbing. Silly really. Oh dear."

American tennis player Billie Jean King said she was saddened to hear about Queen Elizabeth's death.

British comedian Jack Whitehall shared a concise message on Twitter, paying tribute to the queen's "incredible life".