Czech politicians have been expressing their condolences following the announcement that Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96.
Eva Bouchalová – Head of Press & Public Affairs at the British Embassy in Prague – said several candles have already appeared in front of the building in Malá Strana.
President Miloš Zeman said that he had received the news of the Queen’s death with great sorrow, adding that he admired her lifelong devotion to the British monarchy and the hard work and immense humility with which she served her nation.
Zeman also said that she had been a symbol of stability.
In honor of the monarch, the Petřín Tower shone in the colors of the British flag last night.
The Czech prime minister, Petr Fiala, said that he was deeply saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II and sent heartfelt and sincere condolences to the Royal family, the British people, and the people of the Commonwealth.
Czech leaders and politicians commemorate the visit of the Queen to Prague in March 1996.
Elizabeth II was the first monarch to visit the Czech Republic but not the first member of the British royal family. In 1991, Prince Charles and his wife Princess Diana had accepted President Havel’s invitation.
Havel accompanied the Queen on Charles Bridge where she met local residents, and on her visit to Brno.
He presented the Queen with the Order of the White Lion, the highest state order of the Czech Republic. President Havel also introduced to the Queen representatives of the Czech Jazz Section, a civic non-profit association.
President Havel also introduced to the Queen representatives of the Czech Jazz Section, a civic non-profit association. They gave the Queen an original poster with a portrait of Winston Churchill and an address to the Czech and Slovak pilots fighting in the World War II.
The slogan on the poster reads: “Čechoslováci! Hodina vašeho osvobození přijde!” (“Czechoslovaks! The hour of your liberation is approaching!”).
In 1998, Havel was welcomed in Buckingham Palace with all honors.
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said that the Queen had been a symbol of dedication, hard work and humanity. He said his thoughts were with the Royal Family and all citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
