Dame Helen Mirren paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death at the age of 96 on Thursday.
The actress, 77, who portrayed the monarch on the silver screen and on the stage, said she was ‘proud to be an Elizabethan’ and described the late royal as the ‘epitome of nobility’.
In a post on Instagram, the Oscar-winning British star wrote: ‘I am proud to be an Elizabethan. We mourn a woman, who, with or without the crown, was the epitome of nobility.’
Heartfelt: Dame Helen Mirren, 77, paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death at the age of 96 on Thursday (Dame Helen pictured in film The Queen in 2006)
Queen Elizabeth II died today at the age of 96 and her son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, is now King Charles III.
All Her Majesty’s children had rushed to Balmoral today after doctors became ‘concerned’ for her health. Hours later she died, surrounded by her family.
The monarch was described as ‘an inspiration to the world for her lifetime of service’ as tributes flooded in from all over the world after her death was announced on Thursday evening.
Farewell: Queen Elizabeth II died today at the age of 96 at Balmoral in Scotland (pictured in May)
James Bond star Craig said the Queen leaves ‘an incomparable legacy and will be profoundly missed’.
In a statement to the PA news agency, he 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.’
Sir Elton said the Queen had been a huge part of his life ‘from childhood to this day’ in his own online tribute.
Iconic: Dame Helen, who portrayed the monarch on the silver screen and on the stage, said she was ‘proud to be an Elizabethan’ and described the late royal as the ‘epitome of nobility’ (pictured in May)
‘Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing,’ Sir Elton wrote.
‘She was an inspiring presence to be around, and led the country through some of our greatest, and darkest, moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth.
‘Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.’
Sir Mick Jagger reflected on how the Queen had ‘always been there’ throughout his life as he recalled watching key moments.
The frontman of The Rolling Stones shared a photo of the monarch on his Instagram and wrote: ‘For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has always been there.
‘In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV. I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much-beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the royal family.’
The Rolling Stones also offered their ‘deepest sympathy’ to the royal family following the news.
Tribute: Music icon Elton, 75, said he will ‘miss her dearly’ after the Queen’s historic 70-year reign, as a number of stars paid tribute
Andrew Lloyd Webber described the Queen as ‘an inspiration to the world for her lifetime of service’.
In a statement shared on Twitter, Lord Lloyd-Webber wrote: ‘For the whole of my life, the Queen has been the constant anchor of not just Britain and her beloved Commonwealth, but an inspiration to the world for her lifetime of service.
‘Her legacy will be remembered as a selfless beacon for love, understanding and the celebration of fellow human beings all over the world, no matter their race or creed.
‘Madeleine and I are deeply saddened by this news, and our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen’s family.’
Other British celebrities paying respects included Stephen Fry, Ozzy Osbourne, Sue Perkins, Victoria Beckham and Sir Philip Pullman.
All stars: Victoria Beckham and Mick Jagger were among the stars to take to social media to pay tribute to the Queen
The Queen’s death was confirmed at 6.30pm on Thursday.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.’
The Queen’s death will see Britain and her Commonwealth realms enter into a 10-day period of mourning as millions of her subjects in the UK and abroad come to terms with her passing.
Her coffin will be moved to London on the royal train via Edinburgh before she lies in state in Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament for four days. Hundreds of thousands of people will be able to pay their respects.
The state funeral is expected take place at Westminster Abbey in central London on Monday, September 19, which will be attended by her bereft family as well as 2,000 heads of state, prime ministers and presidents, European royals and key figures from public life around the globe.
Statement: King Charles III released this poignant statement reacting to the death of his ‘beloved mother’ as he took the throne today
And as her son accedes to the throne, there will also be a celebration of her historic 70-year reign that saw her reach her Platinum Jubilee this year – a landmark unlikely to be reached again by a British monarch.
Charles, who will reign as King Charles III, said today: ‘The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
‘We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
‘During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.’
Tribute: The Queen’s death was confirmed at 6.30pm on Thursday, with a Buckingham Palace spokesman saying: ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon’ (pictured in June)
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