To my British friends,

I cannot but have feelings of sadness on the occasion of the passing of the Queen, who was the only British monarch I was ever the contemporary of!

My deepest condolences.

She has been a remarkable person, and a worthy Head of State for your great country.

She was the most dignified incarnation of a family which also had its low points, as they all have.

May your country stay strong, united, and decent, a force for good in the world and a friend to Europe, even if that does not mean the EU.

The queen is dead, long live the King.

Kind regards