Grieving The Death Of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Queen Elizabeth II: Never Tired Of Defending Human Rights

JAKARTA - Queen Elizabeth II expressed her condolences and respect for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a human rights defender who died at the age of 90.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who helped end apartheid in South Africa, died in Cape Town on Boxing Day or December 26. In a message of condolences, the Queen said the entire British Royal family was "deeply saddened" by the news.

"I join the entire Royal Family in deep sorrow at the news of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a man who tirelessly fought for human rights in South Africa and around the world," the message reads, quoting the Independent December 27.

"I remember with fondness my meeting with him and his extraordinary warmth and humor. The loss of Archbishop Tutu will be felt by the people of South Africa, and by so many in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and throughout the Commonwealth where he was deeply affected. loved and appreciated," continued the Queen.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, tweeted: "My wife and I are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu whose courage in speaking out against the evils of apartheid and highlighting the threat of climate change is an inspiration to all of us."

Nicknamed "The Arch", Tutu was appointed Cape Town's first black Anglican Archbishop in 1986, becoming a driving force to end South Africa's policies of racial segregation and discrimination from 1948 to the early 1990s.

His work earned him many doctorate degrees and academic awards from around the world, including the Nobel Prize.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu retired from public life in 2010 but continues to do charity work through the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and speak on specific issues.

One of his last public appearances was in 2019 when he met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their son, Archie, in South Africa.

"Archbishop Tutu will be remembered for his optimism, moral clarity, and joy. He was an icon of racial justice and loved around the world," Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said in a statement.

"Just two years ago he was holding our son Archie when we were in South Africa – 'Arch and The Arch' he joked, his infectious laugh ringing throughout the room, comforting anyone in his presence. He remains a great friend and will be greatly appreciated, missed by everyone," they continued.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell described him as a "giant", adding that "the world itself feels a little smaller without him".

Separately, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, described Tutu as "a man of speech and action".

"He is a rainbow leader. He doesn't stick to one group. He defends the rights of LGBT people in the constitution. He defends the rights of former enemies," he told Sky News.

"Can we be human beings who say, 'My gain doesn't have to be your loss, your gain doesn't have to be my loss? We can both thrive and grow'. That's, I think, the biggest part of Tutu's legacy to the world," he explains the legacy left by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

According to the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Archbishop Tutu died peacefully at the Oasis Frail Care Center in Cape Town, South Africa.