Dame Joanna Lumley has said the Queen was "adored and respected", as the actress and presenter joins a number of famous faces in paying tribute to the monarch, who died on Thursday aged 96. Stars from the arts and entertainment industry have been reflecting on their encounters with Queen Elizabeth II as a period of morning takes place in the UK.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Joanna Lumley, who received her Damehood earlier this year, said the Queen represented “all that was kind and fair, brave and good-hearted, noble and entirely admirable”. She added: “We shall miss her with all our hearts and wish her safe travelling on her final great journey.
"She was adored and respected; and as we send our loving sympathies to all the members of the royal family, we count ourselves lucky to have lived during her long and fabulous reign," She continued: "God bless her: and long live our great new King.”
Joining her in sharing tributes was singer-songwriter Sir Rod Stewart, who took to Instagram to say it had been a “devastating 48 hours” as he revealed he'd lost his brother Don, on Tuesday, aged 94, before the death of the Queen was announced on Thursday.
The 77-year-old singer, who performed at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert in June, said the monarch was an "unwavering presence" throughout his life and a "great unifier". He added: “A shining star that will never fade in our hearts and souls. What a privilege it was to perform for her. My deepest sympathies to the Royal Family. God save the King.”
British rock band Queen, who performed at the monarch's 2002 Golden Jubilee and earlier this year opened the Platinum Jubilee alongside singer Adam Lambert, issued a statement on behalf of guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor on Twitter. It read: “We send our deepest condolences to the Queen’s family at this very sad time.”
Veteran actor Dick Van Dyke, 96, took to social media to pay his respects, sharing a black and white photograph of his younger self shaking hands with a young Queen, who could be seen beaming. He simply captioned the post: “Rest well, Your Majesty”.
Meanwhile Dame Joan Collins said she "fell under the spell" of Queen Elizabeth. She added that her "admiration has remained undimmed" as she shared a black and white photo of her and the monarch when they were younger.
In a statement to the PA news agency, James Bond star Daniel Craig said the Queen leaves “an incomparable legacy and will be profoundly missed”. The actor, who performed a sketch alongside the Queen for the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony added: “I, like so many, was deeply saddened by the news today and my thoughts are with the royal family, those she loved and all those who loved her.”
Other British stars and celebrities paying respects included Dame Helen Mirren, music mogul Simon Cowell, Ant and Dec, Stephen Fry, Ozzy Osbourne, Sue Perkins, Sir Philip Pullman, and Victoria and David Beckham and many more.
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