Royal responses to the 9/11 terrorist attacks

The year 2026 marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. How did the royals respond back then?

United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth expressed a “growing disbelief and total shock.”

She sent a message to be read by the British ambassador to Washington, Sir Christopher Meyer, at the prayer service in St Thomas church, New York.

“But none of us should doubt the resilience and determination of this great and much loved city and its people. Men and women from many nations, from many faiths and from many backgrounds were working together in New York City when this unimaginable outrage overtook them all.

“At your service today, we think especially of the British victims. For some of them, New York was simply a stopover on some busy travel schedule. For others it was a workplace of excitement and of opportunity. For many it was a familiar second home.

“These are dark and harrowing times for families and friends of those who are missing or who suffered in the attack – many of you here today. My thoughts and my prayers are with you all now and in the difficult days ahead.

“But nothing that can be said can begin to take away the anguish and the pain of these moments. Grief is the price we pay for love.”

At the Queen’s order, the US national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, was played at the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. This had never been done before.

Belgium

King Albert sent an official message of condolence, spoke directly to the US ambassador in Brussels and repeated the words in his Christmas speech that year, “These inhumane attacks are a direct offensive against democracy.”

The Netherlands

Queen Beatrix too spoke about it in her Christmas speech that year. She said that Western society “was struck by fanatical hatred and the destructive power of evil, causing the sense of invulnerability to disappear. Vengefulness offers no solution to acts of hatred. Involvement in the lives of our fellow human beings is quite different from complacent condoning. When it comes to the principles that make peaceful coexistence possible, there can be no question of indifference. That is where tolerance ends. No concessions can be made regarding the principles and norms of the rule of law.”

Spain

King Juan Carlos sent a telegram to US President George Bush, expressing “his personal support and solidarity, and that of the Spanish people, with the people of that country” for the events that occurred in New York. In the letter sent to the US president, King Juan Carlos also “condemns and rejects” international terrorism.

Jordan

In a message to President George W. Bush, King Abdullah II extended, on behalf of the people of Jordan, his condolences to the President and the people of the United States. He expressed Jordan’s “absolute condemnation of the terrorist aggression” and assured the US President that the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, “its leaders and people, stand with you against the perpetrators of these terrorist atrocities.”

King Abdullah, who spoke to CNN after celebrations in the West Bank took place, said this was an isolated event and added, “We were just as shocked as you are. It’s a small group of people; it’s no way a reflection of the Palestinian people or other peoples of the Middle East.”

King Abdullah visited Washington later that month for the US – Jordan Free Trade Agreement, and the President said, “I look forward to our discussions. Jordan is a strong, strong friend of America. And right after September 11th, one of the early messages I received was from His Majesty, expressing the condolences of the Jordanian people, as well as his own personal condolences.”

Sweden

King Carl XVI Gustaf sent his condolences to the United States. When the King addressed the Riksdag a week later, he said, “The terrible terrorist attack on American society has profoundly shaken and changed the entire democratic world in one fell swoop. Why and how are questions that everyone is asking. We do not have, and probably never will find, acceptable reasons. Instead, we must devote all our energy to emphasising the necessity of defending democracy, as well as the importance of continuing to develop it here at home as well as beyond our own borders.

“Freedom of assembly and the right to demonstrate, strong pillars of democracy, must be protected, while terror can never be accepted as a way of debating. We must clearly distance ourselves from such methods. Democracy means openness. No one is served by deliberations at a high international or national level being forced into closed rooms or behind rigorous barriers in inaccessible places.”

Denmark

Queen Margrethe II sent her sympathies to the United States and later said in her New Year’s Eve speech, “When terror struck the United States on September 11, it was not just the United States that was affected; it was all of us. For that attack felt like a repudiation not of a single nation, but of all the societies in the world that try to live in peace and tolerance, that with joy and pride exploit the many opportunities that our time’s knowledge and technology can provide, and that work to build societies where the individual is respected and can thrive.

“It came like a bolt from the blue; but it was not lightning, not one of those natural forces that strikes blindly. Nor was it due to human error or the failure of technology. It was deliberate malice, deliberate recklessness.

“On that Tuesday afternoon in September, while we followed the events in New York and Washington in shock, fear was unleashed: What would happen next? Who can feel safe?

“We don’t know – we can never know. Perhaps that is the most important realisation, the most significant experience that September 11 has to give us. The uncertainty of existence is one of the basic conditions that we in Denmark are so happily somewhat familiar with. Therefore, it is also good to see that we have not allowed ourselves to panic or be paralysed, but are calmly trying to live on and take care of our daily needs.

“We are also not intimidated into being self-sufficient, but continue to participate in the many activities and obligations of the international community. This was most recently emphasised when Denmark decided shortly before Christmas to make Danish military forces available for the international effort in Afghanistan. We are noticed, and we are heard; we are counted on – and we can be counted on.

“The violent events that we have witnessed this year shake us; not just because TV brings them right into our living rooms, but because we know that they also threaten our daily lives.

“The open society is our pride; but it is precisely because of its openness that it is also vulnerable. We cannot close our eyes to that; but it is important that we do not succumb to fear. We must be awake; but we must not lie sleepless.”

Luxembourg

Grand Duke Henri said he was “deeply shocked by the tragedy”, and he sent a message of condolence to US President George W. Bush.

Monaco

The Consulate General of Monaco in New York conveyed Monaco’s solidarity through a message of support. In cooperation with the government of Monaco, a Solidarity Fund was launched. Prince Albert, who was then the Hereditary Prince of Monaco, travelled to New York that October to present Mayor Giuliana with the proceeds of the Fund.

“The attacks that occurred on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacks not on New York alone but attacks on freedom-loving people all over the world,” Prince Albert told the Mayor. “The example of the American spirit remains an inspiration to all of us in Monaco. As we join with the United States in this time of sorrow, we hold dear our long-lasting and intimate friendship with America, her people and her ideals.”

Liechtenstein

Prince Hans-Adam II joined Prime Minister Otmar Hasler and Government Councillor Ernst Walch, who is responsible for foreign affairs, in expressing their personal condolences and solidarity. They also conveyed the sympathy of the people of Liechtenstein in letters to the President and the Secretary of State of the United States. These letters also condemned these acts of violence in the strongest terms. The government of Liechtenstein ordered the flags at government buildings to be flown at half-mast.

Norway

In a telegram of condolence to President George W. Bush, King Harald expresses his deepest sympathy to the victims of the atrocities.

“I am deeply shocked by the unimaginable tragedy that has struck the American nation. My thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy. On behalf of myself and the Norwegian people, I send you my deepest condolences and ask you to convey my sincere sympathy to all the relatives.”

European Union

All member states of the European Union, including its monarchies, held a day of mourning and solidarity with the American people on 14 September 2001. Three minutes of silence were observed at noon.

Oman

A few days after the terrorist attacks, Sultan Qaboos stated, “We support international counter-terrorism measures. But only if they do not jeopardise individual nations and are not the cause of innocent people having to atone for actions they have nothing to do with. No matter in which Arab or Islamic country.”

United Arab Emirates 

The UAE cut diplomatic ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers two days after the attacks.

The Holy See

Pope John Paul II sent a telegram to President George W. Bush. “I hurry to express to you and your fellow citizens my profound sorrow and my closeness in prayer for the nation at this dark and tragic moment,” he wrote.

At his Wednesday audience, he said Americans should have the courage to persevere because “evil and death will not have the last word.”

Morocco

King Mohammed VI joined his government in condemning the attacks. An ecumenical ceremony was organised in the Cathedral of Rabat.

Bahrain

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa condemned the attacks.

Qatar

Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani condemned the attacks and denounced the terrorists.