Barack Obama Recalls Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Extraordinary Generosity’ In Tribute

“Back when we were just beginning to navigate life as President and First Lady, she welcomed us to the world stage with extraordinary generosity,” the former president wrote on Twitter. “Our thoughts are with the Royal Family and those mourning her passing.”

Earlier this year, the BBC released a video clip of Obama sharing some of his favorite memories of the monarch, who he said “reminded me very much of my grandmother.” Obama included the video in his message on Monday.

He said she was “very gracious” and also had a “no-nonsense, wry sense of humor.” During their first visit together, Obama said the monarch “could not have been more kind of thoughtful to me or Michelle.”

The former president also recalled a sweet moment between the families, when the queen invited Michelle and the couple’s daughters, Sasha and Malia, to tea.

“She then offered the girls to drive in her golden carriage around the grounds of Buckingham Palace,” he said. “It was the sort of generosity and consideration that left a mark in my daughter’s lives that’s still there.”

Obama added that “getting to know her was one of the great privileges of my years in office.”

The former president released a statement following the death of the queen on Sept. 8 at Balmoral in Scotland. The monarch was 96.

“Michelle and I were lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us,” he said in the statement. “Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humor and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance.”

The Obamas did not attend Elizabeth’s funeral on Monday, nor did former President Donald Trump. President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, did attend the state funeral on Monday, as only current heads of state and their spouses were invited.

See more photos from Queen Elizabeth’s funeral below:

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The Princess of Wales follows the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard.

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Yeoman of the Guard at Westminster Abbey ahead of the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

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Guests arrive for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey

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Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrive at Westminster Abbey in London.

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Monaco’s Prince Albert and his wife Charlene arrive at Westminster Abbey.

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Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton, parents of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, arrive at Westminster Abbey.

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Coldstream Guards ahead of the state funeral Queen Elizabeth II on Sep. 19.

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Invited guests arriving at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

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President Joe Biden arrives at Westminster Abbey.

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A marching band performs ahead of the funeral service for Queen Elizabeth II.

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Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern arrives.

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French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron arrive at the state funeral.

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Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss, and Hugh O’Leary arrive at Westminster Abbey.

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King Charles III and Princess Anne, Princess Royal attend the state funeral for their mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

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Former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Tony Blair arrive at Westminster Abbey.

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King Charles III arrives with Princess Anne, Prince William, and Prince Harry for the funeral.

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Prince William and Prince Harry walked side-by-side at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral procession to Westminster Abbey, alongside their cousin, Peter Phillips.

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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: (L-R) Prince George of Wales, Camilla, Queen Consort and Catherine, Princess of Wales during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

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Princess Charlotte of Wales arrives at Westminster Abbey.

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The Duke of Sussex stands next to King Charles III, Princess Anne and Prince William as they salute.

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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives at Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

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Gentlemen at Arms, the Queen’s bodyguard takes part in the state funeral service.

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The Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Sussex, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at the funeral.

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The Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte and Prince George arrive.

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Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Princess Beatrice, during the state funeral.

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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried into Westminster Abbey.

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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Peter Phillips, and Zara and Mike Tindall attend the state funeral service.

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Members of the royal family walk behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as they leave the state funeral.

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The Wales family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey.

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The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II carried by pallbearers at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey.

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The Duchess of Sussex and Camilla, Queen Consort during the state funeral.

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The royals during the state funeral.

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The Prince of Wales follows the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s orb and sceptre.

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Prince William and Prince Harry during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on Sep.19

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The Duchess of Sussex, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince George, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte look at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s orb and sceptre.

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Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice of York are driven behind the procession of the coffin towards Buckingham Palace following the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

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The procession heads down the Mall towards Wellington Arch following the state funeral.

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The Bearer Party transfer the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, into the State Hearse at Wellington Arch following the state funeral.

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Mourners watch the State Hearse of Queen Elizabeth II as it drives along the Long Walk ahead of the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor.

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King Charles III salutes as he and Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort make their way by car to Windsor.

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Prince William, Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex, King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort, Princess Anne, and Princess Beatrice observe the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is transferred from the gun carriage to the hearse at Wellington Arch.

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King Charles, Camilla, Queen Consort, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William look at members of the Bearer Party transferring the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II.

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Princess Charlotte of Wales cries next to the Princess of Wales, Prince George and Camilla, Queen Consort at Wellington Arch after the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

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Royal Navy sailors escort the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard, on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, at Wellington Arch in London.

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King Charles III and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.

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The queen’s corgis, Muick and Sandy, are walked inside Windsor Castle on Sep. 19 ahead of the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II.

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The Duke of Sussex, Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence walk at Windsor Castle on the way to the committal service.

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A marching band walks along Albert Road on Sep.19 in Windsor, England ahead of the committal service for Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor.

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The queen’s grandchildren, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, attend the committal service for Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel inside Windsor Castle.