VLADIMIR Putin has paid tribute to the Queen and extended his to the Royal Family after her death.
In a letter to King Charles, the Russian tyrant passed on his condolences to the British people after Her Majesty's passing was announced.
Her Majesty, who reigned for 70 years, passed away at Balmoral at the age of 96.
Putin joined politicians, religious figures and celebrities from across the world have paid tribute to her.
In his message he said the Queen "rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage".
"I wish you courage and resilience in the face of this difficult, irreparable loss," said Putin.
"May I ask you to pass on sincere condolences and support to members of the royal family and the entire people of Great Britain."
Ordinary Russians have also been laying flowers in remembrance of the Queen outside the British embassy in Moscow.
The Queen met Vladimir Putin at Buckingham Palace when he paid state visit to the UK in 2003.
He made the Queen wait for 14 minutes for him to arrive at the Palace – which prompted the Her Majesty to have subtle dig at him at later.
According to then Home Secretary David Blunkett, his guide dog reacted defensively towards Putin in the course of the visit.
“The only time I met Vladimir Putin was back in 2003 on an official visit and my then dog barked very loudly," he told the BBC.
“I did apologise to the Queen who was obviously hosting. I don’t think I am giving anything away when I said, ‘Sorry your Majesty about the dog barking.’
She said, ‘Dogs have interesting instincts, don’t they?'”
The Queen's passing comes as…
- Huge crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Balmoral to mourn
- Liz Truss hailed the Queen as ‘the rock on which modern Britain was built’
- King Charles told of his 'greatest' sadness as he paid tribute to his mother
- The Queen went from a shy daddy's girl to a hero who dedicated her life to the country
- The Union flag flew at half mast as the devastating news was announced
- Prince Charles has now become King Charles III
- Prince Harry was pictured holding his head as he travelled to Balmoral to be with his family
Her Majesty and the Kremlin strongman were to meet again in June 2014 during a D-Day commemoration event in France.
The event had come just months after King Charles was alleged to compared regime to that of Nazi Germany.
After a group photo with world leaders, the Queen was helped down a set of steps by then US President Barack Obama and New Zealand's Governor-General Jerry Mateparae.
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But Putin, who was standing next to her and wasin a position to help looked away.
The Queen's funeral is set to take place 10 days after her passing, which prompted emotional crowds to gather outside Royal sites.
Charles, who became King on the death of his mother, paid tribute to his "much loved mother" and Britain's "cherished Sovereign".
He said: "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."
President Joe Biden spoke of the Queen as a "source of comfort and pride" as he released a lengthy statement on her life.
He said: "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era.
"In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her.
"An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people across the Commonwealth.
"The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity.
"She was the first British monarch to whom people all around the world could feel a personal and immediate connection
"Whether they heard her on the radio as a young princess speaking to the children of the United Kingdom, or gathered around their televisions for her coronation, or watched her final Christmas speech or her Platinum Jubilee on their phones.
"And she, in turn, dedicated her whole life to their service."
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted: "It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"On behalf of the people, we extend sincere condolences to the @RoyalFamily, the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
French President Emmanuel Macros paid tribute to the Queen as a "friend of France".
"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nations continuity and unity for over 70 years," he said,
"I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century."
The former American President Barack Obama reflected on the time he met the Queen as he looked back on her life.
He said in a statement: "Michelle and I were lucky enough to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us.
"Back when we were just beginning to navigate life as President and First Lady, she welcomed us to the world stage with open arms and extraordinary generosity.
"Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease and how she brought her considerable humour and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance."
Obama also referenced the Queen's most memorable and joyful moments as monarch, including her comic role in the London Olympics Opening Ceremony and the stirring messages of inspiration she provided at the beginning of the pandemic.
Obama's successor Donald Trump also spoke about the Queen after her death and insisted there was "nobody like her!"
Trump, who met the Queen when he was president, wrote on his social media platform Truth: "Melania and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"Together with our family and fellow Americans, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom during this time of great sorrow and grief.
"Melania and I will always cherish our time together with the Queen, and never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor.
"What a grand and beautiful lady she was—there was nobody like her!"
"She was an inspiring presence to be around, and lead 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."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also a part of the outpouring of grief following the news.
He said: "It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.
"As we look back at her life and her reign that spanned so many decades, Canadians will always remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion, and warmth.
"Our thoughts are with the members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time."
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