Farewell To Queen Elizabeth II, From Elton John, Mick Jagger To Paddington Bear

Beyond her role as a monarch, Queen Elizabeth II was a pop culture icon who met (and knighted) acting and music legends. Many stars have now reacted to the news of her death on September 8, 2022. For British singer, pianist and composer Elton John, she was "a huge part" of people's lives from childhood.

He remembers Queen Elizabeth as "an inspiring presence to be around," he tweeted, adding that he will "miss her dearly."

pic.twitter.com/HGSfXApPI7

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) September 8, 2022

A longtime friend of Princess Diana, to whom he dedicated a rewritten version of his hit song "Candle in the Wind" after her death, Sir Elton John was knighted at Buckingham Palace in 1998. "I am extremely proud," John told AP back then.

Another rock legend knighted by the queen, The Rolling Stones' fontman Mick Jagger shares the sentiment of Queen Elizabeth II having been in his life forever, tweeting that he remembers her from the time she was "a beautiful young lady, to the much beloved grandmother of the nation."

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. pic.twitter.com/3JLILZDKwK

— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) September 8, 2022

US singer and actress Barbra Streisand posted a photo of her shaking hands with the Queen. They met at the Royal Film Performance of "Funny Lady" in 1975. "She was a constant for us all," she tweeted.

Sad to hear about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant for us all. Respected around the world. May she rest in peace. Barbra. pic.twitter.com/LCizXL0u1N

— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) September 8, 2022

US actress and producer Whoopi Goldberg recalled her meeting with the British monarch in 2009. She remembers being "in awe," considering that she was simply "an American kid from the projects" who was suddenly in the "company of the Queen of England."

Several years ago, I met Queen Elizebeth at The Royal Variety Performance of 2009. As she approached me, all i could think of was WTH?? I’m an American kid from the projects and I’m in the company of the Queen of England. I was in awe. Rest In Peace. God Save the King

— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) September 8, 2022

Bette Midler, who also appeared in the 2009 Royal Variety Performance, the annual British charity event attended by Queen Elizabeth II, noted that she was "steadfast, staunch, and dedicated until the very end," adding in her tweet: "70 years of duty. Unbelievable."

We will never see her like again. She was steadfast, staunch, and dedicated until the very end. 70 years of duty. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/QuFXCmKfkj

— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) September 8, 2022

Former Beatle Paul McCartney, who was knighted in 1997, shared a brief tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, while also looking ahead to the new era on the throne with the words: "Long live The King."

God bless Queen Elizabeth II
May she rest in peace
Long live The King

Paul McCartney pic.twitter.com/fK9wXqkAsa

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) September 8, 2022

Monthly US fashion and lifestyle magazine shared a tribute on Instagram. British editor in chief Anna Wintour, who in 2017 was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to fashion and journalism, posted a photo of them together at the fashion show of designer Richard Quinn, where the queen was presenting an award in her name.

Even though Wintour left England for the US long ago, she remained a fan: "The admiration and respect I felt for her has never diminished. I'm not alone in that regard: the queen touched everyone," she wrote.

Also appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to drama in 2003, Helen Mirren is perhaps the person who came the closest to wearing Queen Elizabeth's shoes. Her portrayals of the British monarch in the 2006 biographical drama movie "The Queen," as well as in the Broadway version of the film, were crowned with awards.

She wrote on Instagram that she was "proud to be an Elizabethean," describing the Queen as "the epitome of nobility."

Meanwhile, Peter Morgan, screenwriter of "The Queen" and of the successful Netflix series "The Crown," has said he expects filming of season 6 of the historical drama will pause, "out of respect."

"'The Crown' is a love letter to her and I've nothing to add for now, just silence and respect," he told Hollywood news site Deadline in an email. The series covers the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, from her wedding to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, up into the 21st century.

Queen Elizabeth II had also developed a special relationship with a much-beloved fictional character from children's literature, Paddington Bear. In a video for her Platinum Jubilee in June, they shared tea together and revealed to each other that they both loved marmalade sandwiches. The Queen said she always had her own supply in her iconic handbag.

Paddington's tweet, one of the most popular tributes on Twitter, simply repeats a touching line from that video: "Thank you, Ma'am, for everything."

Thank you Ma’am, for everything.

— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) September 8, 2022

Edited by: Elizabeth Grenier

Source: DW