Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan said Queen Elizabeth II was “symbolically queen of the world,” as royals from across the globe descend on London for her funeral.
Speaking outside Buckingham Palace on Sunday, Rania told CNN’s Becky Anderson that Queen Elizabeth was “public service personified.”
“She is a woman who pledged her life to the service of her people, and for 70 years never once fell short of that promise,” she continued. “(She) was the queen of England, but she’s also symbolically queen of the world. She means something to all of us.”
Queen Rania is in London along with her husband, King Abdullah II, to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and meet with King Charles III.
She told CNN that Elizabeth II’s advice to her when she was beginning her reign was to “always be there” and have ”a sense of duty and discipline.”
Referencing the queues and the atmosphere around the UK, the Jordanian Queen remarked on how the British people have responded to her passing.
“It’s been a rough couple of years for the UK … trying to negotiate a deal with Europe post Brexit, a pandemic, the cost of living, inflation, it has been tough. But I’ve never sensed the sense of togetherness that I feel today in the UK. She was a unifying force during her lifetime, but she is also unifying in her passing.”
She said King Charles III has a “deep respect for what is tradition and custom … but he’s also embracing of the future and of change and of everything new. Her Majesty was like that as well. She was always a reminder of where you came from, but also where you’re going.”
On Charles III’s relationship with the Middle East, Queen Rania told CNN he has “a deep understanding of our region, a deep respect.
“He’s a very wise man. I have no doubt in my mind how much he will enhance relations not just with our world, but every part of the world.”
Watch the interview here:
Source: www.cnn.com