News of Queen Elizabeth II’s death at the age of 96 echoed across the pond on Thursday, in response to which the US flags were lowered to half-mast, the Empire State Building was lit up in royal colors and many Americans reflected on her legacy.
“It’s the end of an era,” remarked Jose Reyes, 37, in New York’s busy Time Square.
A large digital billboard nearby projected an image of a beaming queen wearing one of her famous hats.
A few blocks away, the Empire State Building was lit up in purple and silver after sunset to “honor Her Majesty’s life and legacy,” according to the historic skyscraper’s official Twitter account.
The Queen had stood on top of the building over half a century ago when it was the world’s tallest building – a reflection of the historic 70-year length of her reign and the technological advances she has witnessed.
Downtown, near where George Washington was sworn in as the first US president after America’s independence from Britain nearly 250 years ago, the New York Stock Exchange held a minute’s silence on Thursday afternoon.
In recognition of the “special relationship” between the United States and Britain, President Joe Biden has ordered flags on federal buildings across the country to be lowered to half-pole, where they will remain until the evening of the Queen’s funeral.
In the US capital, at 5:00 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), the bells of the Washington National Cathedral rang 96 times, one for each year of the Queen’s life.
Speaking to AFP in Bethesda, a Washington suburb, Drew, 26, said she views the Queen “in a positive way” as her public appearances are largely “charitable” despite other “negative aspects of the monarchy”.
“I definitely saw her as a kind of mother figure for her country,” Drew added.
“For a lot of people, she’s the only queen they’ve known their entire lives.”
– “A Star is Dead” –
Others were little aware of the Queen’s history or had just heard about her recent family troubles, particularly in relation to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan making California their new home.
On the west coast, some recalled the monarch’s hallmark being cultivated with the utmost precision.
“She was an admirable woman with a real sense of humor. She’s always been perfect, despite her mobility issues or the quarrels within the royal family,” said 45-year-old freelance TV producer Corrine Smith outside an English pub in Santa Monica where dozens of Britons gathered on Thursday night.
“We’re going to miss them all,” Smith said, noting that she watches the Netflix series The Crown, which has played a major role in reviving interest in the royal family in recent years.
“A star is dead,” said Gregg Donovan, dressed as a royal valet and carrying flowers, which he laid under the Queen’s portrait in the pub.
The 62-year-old actor and tour guide said he thinks Queen Elizabeth II “should get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
“She was, after all, the most famous person in the world.”
