Georgia reacts to the death of Queen Elizabeth II

FILE - In this file photo dated May 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter, right, and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II are photographed with French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, at Buckingham Palace in London. Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and a rock of stability across much of a turbulent century, has died. She was 96. Buckingham Palace made the announcement in a statement on Thursday Sept. 8, 2022. (Pool Photo via AP, File)

Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom’s longest-reigning monarch, has died. She was 96.

Remembrances and reactions are rolling in from across Georgia — from politicians, British immigrants, and those who simply admired her as an international leader.

“Rosalynn and I extend our condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II and the citizens of the United Kingdom,” said former President Jimmy Carter. “Her dignity, graciousness, and sense of duty have been an inspiration, and we join the millions around the world in mourning a remarkable leader.”

Gov. Brian Kemp and Rep. Nikema Williams extended their condolences to the royal family in tweets Thursday afternoon.

“The City of Atlanta joins the world in mourning the loss of the Queen,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms. The Queen served her country for 70 years and her loss will be greatly felt around the globe. I send my condolences to the British Consulate General Atlanta, the UK residents who now make their home in Atlanta and the residents of our sister city, Newcastle upon Tyne.”

Lyn Baker works at The Corner Shop, a British grocer in Marietta, and has lived in the U.S. for about 25 years.

“I actually wasn’t much of a royalist when I lived in England,” she said. “Oddly enough, it’s become more important as I’ve lived over here. The Queen definitely is someone that I’m very proud of for our country.”

Rukhsana Aguilar, the owner of Taste of Britain, a British specialty foods store in Norcross, said she was “devastated” by the news.

“Our hearts and condolences go out to the royal family,” she said. “We’ve only ever known her. So it’s going to be really strange, really, really strange. I just can’t believe she’s gone.”

This article appears on Now Habersham through a news partnership with GPB News