Prince William and Queen Elizabeth II have both expressed their condolences following the tragic death of Japan’s former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.

The Duke of Cambridge took to social media to share his heartbreak, stating that he was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a true statesman and committed leader.

He also spoke of his personal connection with Abe, recalling the warmth and generosity extended to him during his visit to Japan in 2015.

The Duke's message was signed with his first initial, indicating its personal nature.

His followers on social media shared their condolences, with many expressing their sadness and gratitude for his kind words.

Queen Elizabeth II also released a statement expressing her deep sympathy and condolences to Abe's family and the people of Japan.

The Queen recalled fond memories of Abe and his wife during their visit to the United Kingdom in 2016, stating that his love for Japan and his desire to forge closer bonds with the United Kingdom were clear.

Her message was signed with her standard signature, Elizabeth R, which stands for Regina, meaning Queen.

Prince Charles is the most recent member of the royal family to have met with Abe, having attended the 2019 festivities surrounding the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito.

Abe passed away after being shot on Friday morning while giving a campaign speech for an upcoming national election.

The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, reportedly shot Abe from behind minutes after he kicked off his speech in Nara, western Japan.

Despite doctors' attempts to save him with emergency treatment, the 67-year-old's heart stopped beating.

Abe held the title of Prime Minister from 26 to 27 and again from 2012 to 2020, having also served as President of the Liberal Democratic Party for the latter time.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who resigned from No.

10 Downing Street on Thursday, also expressed his condolences, stating that he was utterly appalled and saddened to hear about the despicable attack on Shinzo Abe.

Johnson praised Abe's global leadership through uncharted times and expressed his sympathy for his family, friends, and the Japanese people.

In conclusion, the passing of Shinzo Abe has deeply affected not only the people of Japan but also leaders around the world.

Prince William and Queen Elizabeth II both shared heartfelt messages of condolences, recalling their personal connections with Abe and his love for Japan.

The tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of valuing and cherishing our leaders while they are still with us.