Remembering Queen Elizabeth II

Statement of James A. Baker, III

“A beautiful and bright light of honor, thoughtfulness and elegance went out today with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, whose 70-year reign was a beacon for her countrymen as well as those in the West who admired her enduring spirit. Her legacy as defender of stability and strength for the United Kingdom, particularly through the special relationships she nurtured with U.S. presidents from Harry Truman to Joe Biden, played critical roles in world events ever since she became the British monarch in 1952. Graceful and dignified until the end, I always enjoyed my time with her and found her to be a most capable and savvy diplomat, one I could always count on for clear thinking. Although it is a terrible loss, I am comforted by the knowledge that her son, King Charles III, will lead the royal monarchy with the same dedication to the U.K. as she did.”

— James A. Baker, III
61st U.S. Secretary of State