In a video message, former U.S. president Barack Obama sent a message to Queen Elizabeth to congratulate her on her Platinum Jubilee. During the BBC broadcast of Trooping the Colour, Obama tells the Queen, "May the light of your crown continue to reign supreme."
"When you’re president of the United States, you meet a lot of remarkable people, and you try under all circumstances to retain your composure," the 44th president began his message. "But that’s harder than you think when you’re visiting Her Majesty."
"Before I took office, Michelle and I hadn’t been to too many palaces," Obama continued. "So, we weren’t sure what to expect on our first trip to Buckingham. But we shouldn’t have been worried. Her Majesty put us at ease with her grace and generosity. So much so that I walked away thinking she actually reminded me a little bit of my grandmother."
"And in the years since, I like to think Her Majesty and I have formed a special relationship of our own," he said. "Certainly, I can say that getting to know her was one of the great privileges of my years in office. And I learned so much from seeing the example she set for all of us who have the privilege to serve."
In 2016, Obama said the Queen was one of his "favorite people."
Obama ended his video with a message directly to Queen Elizabeth: "Your Majesty, it would be an understatement to say the world has changed a bit in the seven decades since you first came to power. But your character never has. Your steadfast stewardship of one of our most important democracies has made the world safer and more prosperous through war and peace, times of adversity, and times of prosperity. Your life has been a gift, not just to the United Kingdom, but for the world."
Obama concluded his message with a heartfelt statement: "It is with gratitude for your leadership and the kindness you’ve shown me and my family that I say: May the light of your crown continue to reign supreme."
Obama wasn't the only world leader to send congratulations to Queen Elizabeth. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden also shared a message:
As did French president Emmanuel Macron:
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.
