Von Der Leyen Pays Tribute to Queen Elizabeth in EU Address

European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II during her State of the Union address in Strasbourg on September 14.

“As we look around at the state of the world today, it can often feel like there is a fading away of what once seemed so permanent,” Von der Leyen said. “And in some way, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II last week reminded us of this.”

Von der Leyen said the queen “was a constant throughout the turbulent and transforming events in the last 70 years.”

Von der Leyen repeated the queen’s words from the height of the pandemic, applying them to today: “We will succeed – and that success will belong to every one of us." Credit: Ursula von der Leyen via Storyful

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URSULA VON DER LEYEN: As we look around at the state of the world today, it can often feel like there is a fading away of what once seemed so permanent. And in some ways, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II last week, reminded us all of that. She is a legend.

She was a constant throughout the turbulent and transforming events in the last 70 years, stoic and steadfast in her service, but more than anything, she always found the right words for every moment in time. From the calls she made to war evacuees in 1940, to her historic address during the pandemic. She spoke, not only to the heart of her nation, but to the soul of the whole world.

And when I think of the situation we're in today, her words at the height of the pandemic still resonate with me. She said, "We will succeed, and that success will belong to every one of us." She always reminded us that our future is built on new ideas, and founded in our oldest values. Since the end of World War II, we have pursued the promise of democracy and of the rule of law.