September 9, 2022
Condolence Message on the Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
On
September 9, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda sent a message of condolence to the United
Kingdom’s new sovereign King Charles III and the Royal Family, expressing his
heartfelt sympathies on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen
Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland at
the age of 96. Upon her death, the throne passed immediately to her eldest son
and heir, the former Prince of Wales.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning monarch in British history. Acceding to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25 and reigning for 70 years, she ushered the institution of the monarchy into a new era, guiding it through a period of great change while striving to keep it relevant. She earned the immense support and respect of not only the British people but of people around the world.
In his message, the SGI President praised HM Queen Elizabeth II as a figure of unwavering love and courage amidst turbulent times, whose life has inspired hope in people the world over. Her peerless commitment and contributions, he said, “stand as a timeless legacy that will live on in the hearts of us all,” as will her warm and enchanting smile reflecting her profound hope for the future of the United Kingdom.
The
SGI President made a courtesy visit to Buckingham Palace in May 1989, where he met
with Princess Anne. He also met with King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, in
Gloucestershire, southwest England, in June 1994.
[Adapted from an article in the September 10, 2022, issue of the Seikyo Shimbun, Soka Gakkai, Japan]
