"The death of my dear mother is a great pain for me and my whole family“, These were the first words of Charles III who, after the three months of mourning provided, will be crowned King.
Words of condolence were expressed by all the heads of state. The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, upon hearing the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, sent the following message to her Majesty, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:
«On the occasion of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the most heartfelt condolences of the Italian Republic and my personal ones reach your Majesty, the royal family and all citizens of the United Kingdom.
An exceptionally prominent figure enters history.
It will be remembered the authoritative wisdom and the very high sense of responsibility, expressed above all in the generosity of spirit with which the Sovereign has consecrated her long life to the service of British citizens and the wider family of the Commonwealth.
Over the course of seven decades it has represented for millions of women and men an example of dedication, always keeping an eye on the future and on the needs of the times it has gone through.
The Italian people and their institutional representatives who had the honor of meeting Queen Elizabeth II were able to admire her extraordinary stature and incomparable personality.
With sentiments of intense participation in the mourning of the royal family and of the United Kingdom, I renew the expressions of Italy's deep condolences and express fervent wishes for the beginning of the reign of Your Majesty».
Words of condolence were also expressed by Pope Francis who wrote in a telegram:
"Deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, he offers sincere condolences to Your Majesty, the Members of the Royal Family, the People of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
I gladly join all who mourn her loss in praying for the late queen's eternal rest, and in paying homage to her life of unreserved service for the good of the nation and the Commonwealth, to her example of devotion to duty, to his firm testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and his firm hope in his promises".