LONDON: In an interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson, Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan discussed Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy and King Charles III’s ties with the Middle East.

Queen Rania said that Queen Elizabeth II was symbolically queen of the world, telling Anderson, “She was the queen of England, but she’s also symbolically queen of the world. She means something to all of us.”

She said that the monarch was “public service personified”, and that she, “is a woman who pledged her life to the service of her people, and for 70 years never once fell short of that promise.”

Queen Rania was in London along with her husband, King Abdullah II to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and pay their respects to the late monarch, and meet with the new King Charles III.

The Queen of Jordan said that when she first met Queen Elizabeth, she was sensitive to the fact that Rania was new to the job and could tell that she wasn’t too sure of herself. Queen Elizabeth’s advice to a young Queen Rania was to “always be there” and have ”a sense of duty and discipline.”

Referencing the queues and the atmosphere around the UK, the Jordanian Queen remarked on how united the British people have been throughout this tough time.

“It’s been a rough couple of years for the UK, trying to negotiate a deal with Europe post Brexit, a pandemic, the cost of living, inflation, it has been tough. But I’ve never sensed the sense of togetherness that I feel today in the UK. She was a unifying force during her lifetime, but she is also unifying in her passing.”

“We mourn a life, but we also celebrate life, and we celebrate a new chapter for this country, and I’m very optimistic,” Queen Rania added.

The Jordanian royal talked about her family’s close ties to King Charles III, saying he is someone the Hashemites “deeply respect and admire,” and have “no doubt he will live up to his mother’s legacy.”

“He has a deep respect for what is tradition and custom, but he’s also embracing of the future and of change and of everything new. Her Majesty was like that as well. She was always a reminder of where you came from, but also where you’re going,” Queen Rania said.

On King Charles III’s relationship with the Middle East, Queen Rania told CNN he has “a deep understanding of our region, a deep respect.”

She continued, “He’s a very wise man. I have no doubt in my mind how much he will enhance relations not just with our world, but every part of the world.”