Queen Elizabeth and Prince William Mourn Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Following Assassination

Queen Elizabeth shared a message of condolences mourning former Japanese Prime

Minister Shinzo Abe, who died after sustaining gunshot wounds during a campaign speech on Friday.

"My family and I were deeply saddened to hear the news of the sudden and tragic death of

former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe," the monarch said in the statement released by her

office at Buckingham Palace. "I have fond memories of meeting Mr. Abe and his wife during

their visit to the United Kingdom in 2016. His love for Japan,

and his desire to forge ever-closer bonds with the United Kingdom, were clear."

The Queen, 96, added, "I wish to convey my deepest sympathy

and condolences to his family and to the people of Japan at this difficult time."