World marks royal birthday

The Queen Mother: Mixed views from former colonies

As the UK's Queen Mother celebrates her 100th birthday, countries around the world have being paying tribute to the royal matriarch.

Canada has awarded her the country's highest civilian honour - the Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada.

And later on Friday, in Ottawa and Toronto, 21-gun salutes will be fired.

Hitler called her the most dangerous woman in Europe. For him, she probably was

Toronto Star newspaper

Honorary appointments are for non-Canadian citizens and only four have been given out before, including one to former South African president Nelson Mandela.

Canada was once a British colony and still has Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. It is a mainly ceremonial role.

The Queen's Canadian representative, Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson, made the appointment on the recommendation of an advisory council.

"Alert and chipper centenarian", said the Washington Post

"This warm and radiant woman is the epitome of all that is regal and admirable," she said. "In honouring her, we pay tribute to a lifetime of unswerving devotion to Canadians and all citizens of the Commonwealth."

The view of the Toronto Star newspaper was of a woman who has led "an extraordinary life", praising the Queen Mother for her actions during World War II.

"She left an indelible mark on the 20th Century," the paper said. "Hitler called her the most dangerous woman in Europe. For him, she probably was."

The Queen Mother made a difference and "still does", the paper said.

Protest

In New Zealand parliament congratulated the Queen Mother on reaching 100.

But two Green MPs refused to stand, saying they did not want to be seen supporting the monarchy, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Perennially popular member of the British royal family

Independent Online

First MP Peter Brown said the actions of Nandor Tanczos and Keith Locke was an insult to the Queen Mother.

He said they were "pathetic" and "singularly stupid", according to the newspaper.

The Sydney Morning Herald published a tribute page for the Queen Mother's birthday as did South Africa's Independent Online.

Independent Online said it wanted "to congratulate this perennially popular member of the British royal family on her 100th birthday".

It balanced the tributes with criticism, with one article saying the only thing the Queen Mother had achieved was giving birth to Queen Elizabeth II.

Tributes

In Nigeria, newspaper adverts and radio and televsion talk shows looked back on the British Empire, when the Queen Mother and her husband King George VI were the royal couple.

"I rejoice with the Queen Mother of Great Britain and congratulate her most heartily on her 100th birthday," said Abimbola Omololu-Mulele in one typical advertisement appearing in several newspapers.

Irish President Mary McAleese said the Queen Mother had lived through a turbulent century which had witnessed terrible moments for mankind as well as great achievements.

US newpapers covered the Queen Mother's birthday prominently in their online editons. The Washington Post described her as "an alert and chipper centenarian."

Corgis

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin said the Queen Mother's wartime role in rallying opposition to Adolf Hitler had inspired many of his compatriots.

"In Russia we highly esteem the kind interest you have shown towards our country," he said.

Russia's NTV marked the day perhaps less conventionally with a video clip of four corgis, the royal household's favourite dogs, barking "Happy Birthday".