(Updated at 11 p.m.) During her 70 year reign, Queen Elizabeth II visited Virginia and Arlington — the cemetery, specifically — on numerous occasions.
Now state and local leaders are remembering the monarch, who died today at age 96.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin released the following statement this afternoon.
Today, we sadly mourn the loss of a transcendent leader, Queen Elizabeth II, who admirably presided over the United Kingdom for over 70 years and was deeply beloved by her people. Throughout her reign, she showed steadfast compassion towards the United States during trying times, especially following the September 11th attacks. Virginians fondly remember Queen Elizabeth II’s many visits to the Commonwealth of Virginia including in 1957 for the Jamestown anniversary, 1976 for the U.S. Bicentennial celebration and 1991 to Arlington National Cemetery. Her most recent trip in 2007 when she visited the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, Jamestown’s 400th anniversary celebration, and Virginia Tech was a particularly important part of Virginia’s history. As governor, the Queen’s consistent tenderness for the Commonwealth and Virginians will never be forgotten.
Younkin ordered flags across the Commonwealth to be lowered to half-staff Thursday night, until the queen’s interment.
Arlington’s members of Congress and the state legislature, as well as local institutions, are also offering their condolences via social media.
Rest In Peace, Queen Elizabeth II. A lifetime of consequence and steadfast service to her country.
Sarah and I – and a two month old Aaron – were lucky to be introduced to her by then Governor Kaine on her visit to Virginia in 2007. pic.twitter.com/EcNb3up6UF
— Alfonso Lopez (@Lopez4VA) September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned during the ministry of Winston Churchill, it's hard to imagine a time without her. The U.K. and the world changed so much during her 70-year reign, but she was always a great friend to the U.S. I join those all over the world mourning her passing.
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth's decades-long reign was marked by incomparable poise, a steady devotion to the people of the UK, and a deepening of the critical friendship between our nations. My thoughts are with all mourning her powerful legacy.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) September 8, 2022
Kaine Statement on Passing of Queen Elizabeth II: pic.twitter.com/PE5yvTPbpq
— Sen. Kaine’s Team (@SenKaineTeam) September 8, 2022
Photo by Mark de Jong on Unsplash