Manama, (BNA): With flags lowered at half-mast, Bahrain is mourning the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, with HM the King, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Speaker and the Chairman of the Shura Council sending condolences to the UK, and people taking to social media to share their grief the Queen’s passing.

HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has extended his heartfelt condolences to King Charles III, members of the Royal Family, and the people of Britain following the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

In a cable of condolences, HM the King paid tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II’s exemplary reign and immeasurable contribution to the deepening and strengthening of relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom.

The world has lost a great source of inspiration and strength whose wisdom and humanity will be missed by all, HM King Hamad emphasized.

As a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II, HM the King has ordered that flags be lowered to half-mast for three days.

In his cable of condolences, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, commended Queen Elizabeth II’s lifetime of selfless service to the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and their peoples.

HRH noted the Queen’s defining contribution to fostering close and distinguished relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom and their peoples.

“Rest in Peace Your Majesty,” HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of HM the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, posted on his Instagram account – A post liked by thousands of followers.

“Our deepest condolences for the loss of Her Majesty the Queen – An outstanding human being who loved her country and served it well,” he also posted.

Speaker Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal said that Bahrain “recalls the outstanding qualities of HM Queen Elizabeth, who, over decades, represented a global symbol, a reference for her nation, her people and the world in human values, tolerance and love, and gained the respect of the world.”

“The Kingdom of Bahrain lost a great leader, who had a prominent role, and constant interest in consolidating the historical friendship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom,” she said in her condolences.

Shura Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh recalled the outstanding efforts of the late Queen and her great contributions to the development of the United Kingdom over seven decades.

He hailed her sincere endeavors to consolidate the historical relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom and to strengthen the long-standing bonds of friendship between them.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland,” the Bahrain embassy in the UK posted on its Twitter account.

“On behalf of the Bahraini people, we extend our sincere & heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and people of UK for their immeasurable loss,” the embassy tweeted alongside a picture of the Queen in black and white.

The UK embassy in Bahrain said that a public condolence book at the British Embassy will be open daily from Sunday 11 – Monday 19 September (exclusive of weekends) from 10am to 2pm.

HM the Queen’s death dominated the front pages of Bahrain’s dailies both in Arabic and English, recalling her visit in to Manama in February 1979.

The Daily Tribune ran “End of an era” headline across its front page devoted to the death of HM Queen Elizabeth, with wide coverage of international reactions and a mini album of pictures of the Queen across the time.

The Gulf Daily News reported that “relations between Bahrain and the UK date back more than 200 years and that “those bonds have strengthened over time, none more so than during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.”

“Recently, His Majesty King Hamad was personally invited by Her Majesty to attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show 2022,” the daily said.

Pictures of HM Queen Elizabeth with HM King Hamad were published in the newspapers to show the close and special relations between the two kingdoms and how the two monarchs contributed to the strong ties.

Newspapers also posted on their websites pictures of lowered at half mast over buildings across Bahrain.

Several Bahrainis took to social media to share their feelings on the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth, recalling her visit to Bahrain, the Bahraini pearl earrings she had and her friendly encounters with HM King Hamad.