Ian Waldie, Reuters Prince Charles arrives back in Britain yesterday with his sons, Prince William, left, and Prince Harry, right. They had been on a skiing holiday in Switzerland, when news came of the death of the Queen Mother.

'COURAGEOUS DEVOTION'

Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, the Governor-General: Since her first trip to Canada in 1939, Canadians have all sensed that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was one of us. Her royal title could not eclipse her enormous warmth, joie de vivre and good humour. We responded with heartfelt affection and respect.

I felt this deeply in the autumn of 2000 when I was honoured to recognize the Queen Mother as a Companion of the Order of Canada. In Canada, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was a vital presence in many of our institutions and organizations. She was Colonel in Chief of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, the Toronto Scottish Regiment and the Canadian Forces Medical Services. The Queen Mother was the Grand President of the Victorian Order of Nurses in Canada, an honorary member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Patron of many national organizations including the Canadian Red Cross Society.

Today, we mourn the passing of the Queen Mother, and we celebrate her long and remarkable life. The century of her lifespan was shaken with radical and sometimes violent change, but through every upheaval, she exemplified courageous devotion to duty. Refusing to abandon her compatriots by evacuating to North America during the blitz of World War Two, she inspired not only Great Britain but also its allies.

The death of the Queen Mother marks the end of an era. We offer, at this time, our deepest sympathy to Her Majesty the Queen and to the Royal Family. We join in sorrow our friends throughout the Commonwealth who, like us, will miss the Queen Mother and all that her extraordinary character added to this century and the last.

'DUTY IN DARKEST HOURS'

Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien, the Prime Minister: Today, all Canadians join me in expressing sorrow that a symbol to the world of abiding grace, dignity and personal courage has been taken from us. The life of the Queen Mother spanned more than a century of breathtaking change and global transformation. Throughout, she was a touchstone of timeless values and continuity. Above all, she will be remembered for her matchless and galvanizing devotion to duty during the darkest hours of World War Two, when Britain, Canada and the Commonwealth stood alone against a seemingly invincible tyranny.

We were blessed by her full life, made richer by her presence and example, and feel a profound sense of loss that her extraordinary spirit is gone. Aline joins me in extending our deepest sympathies to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to the Royal Family and to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

'BEST QUALITIES OF MONARCHY'

Hon. Ralph Klein, Premier of Alberta: For many Albertans, the Queen Mother represented the very best qualities of the British monarchy; qualities such as selflessness, bravery and the indomitable spirit of a free people. It was during the darkest times -- times of war and hardship -- that the Queen Mother best displayed these qualities and inspired others to do the same. It was the depth of her character that made her so beloved, and she will be forever remembered as a true hero of the 20th century.

'FAVOURITE GRANDMOTHER'

Hon. Lorne Calvert, Premier of Saskatchewan: A blanket of sorrow covers us all as we remember "our favourite grandmother." The Queen Mother was the monarch of the people -- a symbol of grace, dignity and elegance befitting the most beloved member of the Royal Family.

In the Second World War, the Queen Mother stood by her country during that terrible time. The people of Saskatchewan and around the world stand by her memory now. The feelings of Saskatchewan people toward the Queen Mother have deepened over the years. We were privileged to be called friend, and honoured to have been part of her legacy.

'GRIT AND GRACE'

Hon. Gary Doer, Premier of Manitoba: The Queen Mother has been a favourite royal in Manitoba since her first visit here in 1939, two years after her Coronation. Her famous comments after the Luftwaffe decimated a wing of Buckingham Palace -- "Now we can look the East End in the face" --displayed the signature grit and grace that endeared her to Manitobans and Commonwealth citizens all over the world.

Just a few weeks ago, we mourned the death of one of her daughters, Princess Margaret. In October, we will welcome Queen Elizabeth during the 50th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. So, as we mourn the loss of the Queen Mother, our warm relationship continues with the members of the Royal Family.

'LOVED THIS COUNTRY'

Hon. James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario: I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. I speak for all Ontarians in saying how much this gracious and beloved member of our Royal Family will be missed.

Her Majesty captured our affection on her first visit to Canada in 1939 -- and she loved this country and served its people throughout her long life. More than four generations have grown up in Ontario during the life of the Queen Mother, who was born at the turn of the last century and lived to see a new millennium. Her Majesty was a favourite grandmother to people throughout the Commonwealth.

Queen Elizabeth was loved and respected for her dedication and sense of duty during the darkest years of the Second World War. She was also greatly admired for her smile, her charm and love of life in happier times. Her Majesty's name and memory will live on in her beloved Toronto Scottish Regiment, which she has served since 1939.

The Queen Mother has been devoted to patronages such as various hospitals and other organizations. The QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) was named on her first visit to Ontario, and her attendance at many runnings of the Queen's Plate and other events on her eight visits to this province will be remembered with great fondness. I join with all Ontarians in offering our deepest condolences to the Queen and the entire Royal Family at this time.

'INSPIRED US ALL'

Hon. Mike Harris, Premier of Ontario: Like millions of people across Ontario, I was saddened to hear about the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Her passing comes only weeks after the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of her daughter, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen Mother holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Ontario. The Queen Elizabeth Way, named after Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, is the only Ontario provincial highway that is not assigned a route number. A new park has recently been created on Manitoulin Island and named in her honour. The Queen Mother M'Nidoo-M'Nissing Provincial Park will be a lasting reminder of her extraordinary life as well as a tribute to the heritage of the First Nations people of the area.

Throughout her long life, the Queen Mother has been a role model for others. Refusing to leave Britain for safer ground during the Second World War, she worked side by side with the people to support the war effort and to lift their spirits. She is credited with bringing the monarchy closer to everyday people, and she remained active in charitable work and public life.

We have welcomed the Queen Mother to our great province many times over the years. And on each visit, she was met by enthusiastic crowds and with great affection. With a life stretching from one century to the next, the Queen Mother witnessed unparalleled change in her day. Through good times and bad, she dedicated herself to serving others and inspired us all by her example.

On behalf of the people of Ontario, I extend our deepest sympathies to Queen Elizabeth II, the entire Royal Family and all citizens of the Commonwealth who today mourn the passing of a remarkable woman whom we shall always remember.

'SYMBOL OF CONSTANCY'

Hon. Lise Thibault, Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec: As Easter Day was preparing to unfold its wings of hope, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother took her flight toward her Eternity. Between these two happenings, I sense the analogy of continuity; a noble Queen who leaves us in heritage the image of an existence privileged to live over a century, and who became a true symbol of constancy and faithfulness throughout the motions of life.

Constancy toward the people of Britain. Faithful and very present to her family. Bountiful in sharing her happiness. Righteous and serene in a grand part which she never dreamed of. These are some of the inalterable faces that the Queen Mother leaves in legacy. What a beautiful portrait of the monarchy. I shall never forget her. For me, she represents the beauty and the fullness of an elderly person living in a full, lively manner, faithful to the image of who she was until the end of her days. Forever, this happy and inspiring souvenir is crystallized in my heart.

'QUEEN MUM'

Hon. Myra Freeman, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia: During her long life, the Queen Mother was a symbol of dignity and compassion. She will long be remembered throughout the Commonwealth for her strength of character and courage, especially during World War Two. Her passing marks the end of an era.

Affectionately known as the "Queen Mum," the Queen Mother held a special place in the hearts of all Nova Scotians. Her engaging smile, her boundless energy and her strong commitment to faith and country symbolize all that is good. We celebrate her enthusiasm for life, which was felt by all who came in contact with her, and her devotion to public service.

As the matriarch of the Commonwealth, the Queen Mother was a woman who treated all with a special affection. Her grace and her charm will always be with us. I extend my condolences to her family, and especially to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I share with Nova Scotians and others around the world in mourning the loss of a great woman.

'SERVICE AND COURAGE'

Hon. John Hamm, Premier of Nova Scotia: Throughout her lifetime, the Queen Mother always stood tall as a symbol of dedication, service and courage. On behalf of all Nova Scotians, I would like to express deepest sympathies to Her Majesty the Queen and the House of Windsor on this sad day.

The Queen Mother will always be remembered as somebody we could all relate to, regardless of age, gender, nationality or religion. May Her Majesty rest in peace.

'TOWER OF SUPPORT'

Hon. A. Maxwell House, Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador: She was immensely popular and was much loved in Newfoundland and Labrador, especially from the time of the Royal visit with King George VI in 1939 and because of her inspiration and courage throughout World War Two. For anyone who lived through World War Two, she was part of those few people whom you viewed in confidence. She stayed in Buckingham Palace when the bombing started. She was just a tower of support in Britain, and she was very close to us in those days as well.

'UNIQUE STYLE AND GRACE'

John Aimers, chairman, Monarchist League of Canada: The Queen Mother exemplified all that is best and most admired in the ideal conception of royalty. As Duchess of York, she began a life-long romance with the public as she undertook royal duties while making a happy home for her husband and their daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. As Queen Consort, she provided enormous support to His Majesty King George VI when he was unexpectedly called to the throne. Helping the shy and sometimes temperamental monarch to overcome his speech difficulties and inherent shyness in public, Queen Elizabeth gave the King the steel which he would employ to such great effect during World War Two.

Following the King's death in 1952, the Queen Mother cast aside personal anguish, and began a second royal career. This is the one which most Canadians have witnessed; a life of giving support to the throne and enormous pleasure to countless millions, by undertaking a full share of royal duties throughout Britain and indeed the world. In carrying out these engagements, new generations of Canadians came to appreciate her unique style and grace, especially during her visits to this country. Her friendships with many across this land and her associations with Canada ran deep.

It is to Her Majesty the Queen that our hearts must now turn, sadly bereaved on the eve of her Golden Jubilee. As we give thanks for the Queen Mother's life, we may reflect that not the least of her accomplishments was the training in duty and constancy she gave to her daughter our Queen. So now, we commend our beloved Queen Mother to the mercy of God. Surely, in Bunyan's words, all the trumpets sound for her on the other side.