PM Lee says Queen Elizabeth left 'significant mark' on S'pore history; govt building flags to fly half-mast on funeral day

SINGAPORE — The late Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday (Sept 8) will be remembered fondly as a great world leader, who left a significant mark on Singapore’s history and its longstanding close relations with the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Friday.

In a Facebook post on the passing of Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Mr Lee said that he was deeply saddened by her passing, calling her the "heart and soul of the United Kingdom". 

"Her passing is greatly mourned by everyone in Singapore," Mr Lee wrote, extending his condolences to King Charles III and the royal family, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, and the British people. 

Mr Lee and President Halimah Yacob have also sent letters of condolence to King Charles and Ms Truss, the texts of which were provided to the media by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The Prime Minister's Office said on Friday that state flags at all government buildings here will be flown at half-mast on the day of her funeral as a mark of respect.

Singapore's Parliament will also observe a minute of silence at the beginning of its sitting next Monday. 

Queen Elizabeth died at her home in Scotland aged 96 on Thursday. She had been suffering from what Buckingham Palace has called "episodic mobility problems" since the end of last year. 

Her condition had caused her to withdraw from nearly all her public engagements.

Mr Lee said in his Facebook post: "Her Majesty’s reign saw one of the longest periods of peace and prosperity in the history of the United Kingdom. Throughout her life, she steadfastly served the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth." 

He added that she performed her duties with "devotion, grace and humility". 

"Her contributions to the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and indeed to the world will be recorded in history, and she will always be remembered fondly as a great world leader," Mr Lee said. 

"Her Majesty also left a significant mark on Singapore’s history and our longstanding close relations with the United Kingdom." 

Mr Lee added that he was honoured to have met her on several occasions, including their last one during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in 2018.

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat also offered his condolences to King Charles III and the family, as well as the people of the United Kingdom for their loss.

"Deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty presided over one of the longest periods of peace and prosperity in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth," he wrote in a Facebook post on Friday. 

Mr Heng added that during her reign, Singapore had the honour of hosting Queen Elizabeth on three state visits — in 1972, 1989 and 2006.

"Her Majesty will always be remembered for her grace, steadfast dedication and lifetime of service over the past 70 years."

In Mr Lee's letter to King Charles, he wrote: "On behalf of the Government of Singapore, I extend my sincerest condolences to you and all members of the Royal Family. The Queen will be remembered and missed dearly."

He added that the queen had always showed warmth and friendship through her "natural affection and spontaneous good humour".

"Her visits never failed to draw huge crowds; Singaporeans welcomed the queen enthusias­tically when she toured our housing estates, schools and institutions, and other places of interest," Mr Lee wrote. 

"As we commemorate her reign, I have no doubt the world will long continue to draw inspiration and strength from Her Majesty’s life story and contributions."

In her letter to King Charles, Mdm Halimah wrote: "Her Majesty will be greatly missed and her passing will be deeply felt by all in the Commonwealth, including Singapore. 

"On behalf of the people of Singapore, my husband and I extend our most heartfelt condolences during this time of grief."

She added that Queen Elizabeth was greatly loved by all and will continue to be "a wellspring of strength and inspiration" not just for the British people but also for the people in the Commonwealth and beyond.

Mdm Halimah said that the queen's warmth and kindness won the hearts of Singaporeans from all walks of life, during her visits to Singapore following the country's independence. 

Mr Lee also offered his condolences to Ms Truss and said that Queen Elizabeth stood as "a symbol of hope, stability and continuity" for Britain and the Commonwealth. 

"Her Majesty’s deep sense of duty, unwavering devotion and countless contributions over a lifetime have left an indelible mark on our collective history and inspired millions around the world, including Singaporeans." 

He noted how Singapore's history is interwoven with the reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

She ascended the throne at the age of 25, when Singapore was still a British colony and has visited Singapore on state visits over the years. 

"Despite the many dramatic developments that Singapore had undergone since independence, the bonds of affection between our countries and peoples have endured with the constancy of Her Majesty’s rule of the United Kingdom," he wrote. 

He added that Singapore's bilateral ties with the United Kingdom have also "expanded and deepened significantly" during her reign. 

"Our economic relations have prospered with the Bilateral Investment Treaty signed in 1975, and more recently, the landmark UK-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the Digital Economy Agreement," Mr Lee said.

"Today, more than 5,500 UK companies are based in Singapore. Our people-to-people links remain excellent, with the UK hosting the biggest Singaporean community in Europe, and British citizens among the top European visitors to Singapore, reflecting our strong shared cultural heritage." 

Former President Tony Tan recalled that when he and his wife represented Singapore on the country's first state visit to the UK in 2014, Queen Elizabeth was a "most gracious host". 

"She was a source of continuity in a changing and sometimes volatile world," Dr Tan said in a statement. "Her life serves as an example of putting country above self."