Millions across the globe are mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday at the age of 96 at her beloved Balmoral Castle in Scotland due to age-related ailments. She has left a momentous legacy as the longest reigning monarch in Britain's history. In the midst of embracing the monarchical transition, the UK is going through the state funeral for its Queen.

The air of grieving filled the households in the UK and in the countries that are connected with the Queen and a sense of distress has been rampant among the world leaders to the general public. As Londoners and Britons are gathering before the royal residences to pay their last respect to the deceased monarch, joining the line is a senior minister from Tamil Nadu, who is on his UK tour. 

Senior Tamil Nadu Minister Periyasamy has paid his last respects to Queen Elizabeth II in London, along with his delegation. While thousands have gathered before Buckingham Palace to offer condolences, the Tamil Nadu Minister has paid a floral tribute to Elizabeth's portrait in a school in London. Periyasamy, who is the Minister for Co-operatives in Tamil Nadu, is not in the UK with the agenda to pay respect to the Queen but to unveil the statue of John Pennycuick, a British Engineer who built Mullai Periyar Dam in Tamil Nadu- Kerala border.

The dam was built during British rule between 1887 to 1895 and it was built with the purpose of providing water to Madurai and its nearby districts. In the midst of an ongoing interstate dispute between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to erect a statue for Pennycuick in London. After the installation, the statue was ready for unveiling. 

With the view of unveiling the statue, the Tamil Nadu government sent minister Periyasamy to London and he was accompanied by a delegation that includes the legislators of the Theni district where the dam sits. It was announced that the statue will be unveiled on Saturday. However, as Queen Elizabeth II died, the visiting delegation decided to pay its last respects to the towering monarch. 

According to our sources, Tamil Nadu Minister Periyasamy has paid a floral tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on her portrait in Tiruvalluvar School in London. The homage was also offered by the delegation including Cumbum MLA Ramakrishnan, Andipatti MLA Maharajan, and Periyakulam MLA Saravanakumar. DMK's Theni north district secretary Thanga Tamilsevan also joined the homage.  

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin joined a league of leaders to pay tribute to the monarch. Taking to Twitter on Thursday, MK Stalin wrote, "Deeply pained by the demise of HM Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. After a reign spanning seven decades, 15 Prime Ministers and several major turning points in modern history, the second Elizabethan era has come to an end." "Queen Elizabeth II will be long remembered for her dignity, decency in public life and her unwavering commitment. My sincere condolences to the Royal Family, the people of the UK and everyone around the world mourning the demise of one of the greatest monarchs of all time", he added. 

Queen Elizabeth II will be long remembered for her dignity, decency in public life and her unwavering commitment.

My sincere condolences to @RoyalFamily, the people of UK and everyone around the world mourning the demise of one of the greatest monarchs of all time. (2/2)

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 8, 2022