Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

September 18, 2022

The President. We've had an opportunity to meet with an awful lot of consequential people, but I can say that the ones who stand out in your mind are those whose relationship and interaction with you are consistent with their reputation.

When the Queen had us to the castle for tea andâwe were jokingâcrimpetsâshe kept offering me more; I kept eating everything she put in front of meâbut she was the same in person as sheâas her image: decent, honorable, and all about service.

And our hearts go out to the royal family, King Charles and all the family. It's a loss that leaves a giant hole. And sometimes, you think you'll never overcome it.

But as I've told the King, she's going to be with him every step of the way, every minute, every moment. And that's a reassuring notion.

So, to all the people of England, all the people of the United Kingdom, our hearts go out to you. And you were fortunate to have had her for 70 years. We all were. The world is better for her.

Thank you.

The President's Opinion of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Q. Mr. President, why does she remind you of your mother?

The President. Just because of the way she touched when she leaned over. The wayâshe had that look like: "Are you okay? Anything I can do for you? What do you need?" And then also, "Make sure you do what you're supposed to do." [Laughter]

Legacy of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Q. What do you think she meant to the wider world beyond the U.K., Mr. President?

The President. Well, I thinkâlook, the American press has heard me say for a long time that I think the thing that isâmaybe it's too much, excuse the expression, the Irish of it, but it's about treating people with dignity.

I talk about how my mother and father thought that everyone, no matter who they were, no matter what their station, no matter where they were from deserved to be treated with dignity. And that's exactly what she communicated, just the way she walked by her staff, just the way she acted.

And I think what she gave is a sense ofâmaybe above all, the notion of service. We all owe something. There's something within our capacity to do that can make thingsâwell, and not just the world better, but your neighborhood better, your household better, your workplace better.

And that's what she communicated to me, anyway. And Iâit was an honor to meet her.

NOTE: The President spoke at 5:26 p.m. at the Lancaster House.

Categories: Addresses and Remarks : Queen Elizabeth II, signing of official condolence book in London, United Kingdom; Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: London, United Kingdom.

Locations: London, United Kingdom. Names: Charles III, King; Elizbeth II, Queen.

Subjects: Deaths : Elizabeth II, Queen of United Kingdom; United Kingdom : King; United Kingdom : President Biden's visit; United Kingdom : Queen, death; United Kingdom : Relations with U.S.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200810.