Bangabandhu, his daughters had memories with Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history and an icon instantly recognisable to billions of people around the world, died on Thursday at the age of 96.

Buckingham Palace announced her death in a short statement, triggering 10 days of national mourning and an outpouring of tributes to her long life and record-breaking reign.

Leaders from every corner of the globe briefly united Thursday in homage to Queen Elizabeth II, after the world’s longest-serving monarch died at her Scottish home at age 96.

Tributes poured in -- from countries she had ruled over to those she had been at war with, from tiny territories to the mightiest governments on the planet, and from centuries-old institutions to nations that had not yet been born when she took the throne.

Bangladesh has declared three days of state mourning in honour of Queen Elizabeth II following her death.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

In a condolence letter wrote to her United Kingdom counterpart Elizabeth Truss, MP, on September 8, Sheikh Hasina said “I, on behalf of the Government and the people of Bangladesh, and on my behalf, convey to you the most profound shock and grief, and through you, our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the people of the United Kingdom at the sudden passing away of The Queen Elizabeth The Second.”

She wrote: “The memoirs between Her Majesty and our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the UK and two Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings in Ottawa and Kingston will remain everlasting.”

In the letter, she also greatly admired her last personal interactions with Queen Elizabeth II during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2018 in London.

Sheikh Hasina mentioned that the Queen’s most passionate message of felicitation extended to the people of Bangladesh on the Golden Jubilee of its independence where she wrote “We share ties of friendship and affection, which remain the foundation of our partnership and are as important today as fifty years ago.”

“It shall be carried forward heart to heart over and over again while nourishing the relations between the two Commonwealth Nations,” she added.

The Prime Minister said “With her saddest demise, the people of Bangladesh and I, personally, have not only lost a most trusted friend but also a true guardian.” After the independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman met Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip at the Birmingham Palace.

During the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged greetings with British Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on April 19, 2018. The premier also exchanged greetings with Prince Charles at the same place.

Later, the prime minister along with other heads of government and leaders of the Commonwealth countries joined a dinner hosted by the Queen.

Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana joined the platinum jubilee celebrations for the Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. It was held between June 2 and 5 this year.

Queen Elizabeth II along with her husband also visited Bangladesh on November 14, 1983. Prior to that, in 1961, she came to Dhaka, which was then the capital of East Pakistan.

In memory of Queen Elizabeth II, Bangladesh’s national flag will be kept at half-mast at all government, semi government, autonomous organizations, non government buildings, educational Institutions and Bangladesh missions abroad from September 9 to September 11 to observe the three-day state mourning.