Stars pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following her passing at age 96

11 September 2022, 20:09 | Updated: 13 September 2022, 11:15

Celebrities and public figures from across the world have reacted to the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died, aged 96.

Tributes have continued to pour in for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, following the news of her passing on Thursday 8th September.

Buckingham Palace and The Royal Family issued a statement on the same day at 6.30pm, which read: "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."

The world has reacted to the news ever since, with tributes pouring out in from artists, celebrities and public figures alike.

See some of their touching tributes below.

The Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger was among those leading the tributes.

He wrote: "For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has always been there. In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the Royal Family."

Lulu wrote: "The End Of An Era and What An Era It Has Been Thank You Ma’am RIP".

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lulu Official (@lulukc)

The Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney wrote: "God bless Queen Elizabeth II

"May she rest in peace

"Long live The King

"Paul McCartney".

The Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr shared a photo of the Queen, with a caption which read: "God bless Queen Elizabeth peace and love to all the family peace and love Ringo."

A photo on the official social account for The Fab Four read: "Thank you Ma'am

"With love and gratitude

From all at Apple".

Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May said: "RIP Queen Elizabeth. What an extraordinary life ! Bri and Anita."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal)

Queen drummer Roger Taylor wrote: "RIP OUR MIGHTY QUEEN.....

"We will miss her!"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by rogertaylorofficial (@rogertaylorofficial)

Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne, who recently closed out the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, said: "I mourn with my country the passing of our greatest Queen.  With a heavy heart I say it is devastating the thought of England without Queen Elizabeth II".

Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson shared a lengthy tribute to the Queen, sharing a nostalgic story of how she came to be enamoured with the Royal and respected her throughout her life.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🩸garbage🩸 (@garbage)

Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher simply wrote: "Gutted".

Sir Elton John also paid tribute to the Queen during his show in Toronto, Canada.

Football legend David Beckham wrote: "I’m truly saddened by the death of Her Majesty, The Queen. What an outpouring of love and respect we saw for the Platinum Jubilee for her life of service. How devastated we all feel today shows what she has meant to people in this country and around the world. How much she inspired us with her leadership. How she comforted us when times were tough. Until her last days she served her country with dignity and grace. This year she would have known how loved she was. My thoughts and prayers are with our Royal Family…"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham)

Sir Rod Stewart also reflected on the news, having also lost his own brother Don the same week.

He wrote: "It has been a devastating 48 hours. My brother Don passed on Tuesday at 94 and today Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at 96.

"Like Don, the Queen has been a presence all through my life as a great unifier. A shining star that will never fade in our hearts and souls."

He added: "What a privilege it was to perform for her.

"My deepest sympathies to the Royal Family.

"God save the King."

The Libertines shared a photo of the British flag at half mast with a heart in their caption.

The 44th U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama released a joint statement on their social media.

British TV personalities Ant and Dec wrote: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It is hard to believe she will no longer be with us. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with King Charles and the entire Royal Family. Rest In Peace Your Majesty. And thank you".

Sir David Attenborough also commemorated Queen Elizabeth II and praised her "genuine" laugh and her way of putting people at ease.

"... If there was something funny she laughed in a genuine way”, he recalled. "She wasn’t putting it on and that made it very easy."

The legendary broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and climate change activist - who shared the same age as the Queen - added: "She was an expert at getting people to relax.

“When you met her you were well-aware that you were in the presence of someone who was extremely important to our society and yet she made it seem that you were meeting another human being with exactly the same conditions that all human beings have.”

Sir David Attenborough helped produce the Queen's Christmas messages during the 1980s and 1990s and more recently they both appeared on The Queen's Great Planet in 2018.