Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer has expressed his condolences to the Royal family and the people of the United Kingdom after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Chancellor Nehammer said: “With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, a historical personality of ours comes to an end and with her, a 70-year era in which she stood for stability through the decades to this day. My deepest condolences to the [Royal] family and to the people of the UK.”

The Austrian leader also announced that the flag at the Federal Chancellery in the capital Vienna would fly at half-mast in honour of the Queen. He said: “Out of respect for the life’s work of Queen Elizabeth II, the Federal Chancellery is setting the flag on the building at half-mast.”

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said (in English): “Deeply sad about the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Royal Family, the people of the UK and Commonwealth and their citizens living in Austria. Her lifelong devotion to public service will continue to inspire.”

And Austrian National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (OeVP) said that Her Majesty had been a “symbol of reliability and dignity”, adding: “She was a person who always impressed me a lot. I only met your son and heir to the throne, Prince Charles, in Highgrove in May. My sincere condolences go out to him in particular, the royal family and the British people.”