Queen Elizabeth provided more than a measure of stability to her nation during her 70-year reign. She was a constant as ties among UK nations and between Britain and Europe weakened, per a Washington Post editorial. Her endless stoicism could grate on her subjects, as after the death of Princess Diana in 1997. But most of the time, per NBC News, the country appreciated being able to count on her calm and cheerfulness. Affection for her was so universal that flags were lowered to half-staff around the world Thursday, per the BBC, including at EU headquarters in Belgium. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed sympathy. "For many decades, Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage," he said. Elizabeth's reign paralleled: