'She leaves an incomparable legacy': Daniel Craig pays tribute to the Queen with whom he co-starred in 2012 Olympics sketch

BALMORAL CASTLE, SCOTLAND: The longest-reigning monarch in British history, Queen Elizabeth II, died "peacefully" at the age of 96 on Thursday, September 8, at her Balmoral home. Buckingham Palace announced her passing later that day. Condolences to the late Queen—who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year—are pouring in from world leaders, famous people, and the general public.

Daniel Craig, who teamed up with Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for London Summer Olympics opening ceremony, paid tribute to the former monarch and said she would be "profoundly missed" in a statement, reported Daily Mail. "I, like so many, was deeply saddened by the news today and my thoughts are with the royal family, those she loved and all those who loved her," he said. "She leaves an incomparable legacy and will be profoundly missed," the 'James Bond' star added. 

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The 2012 skit saw Queen Elizabeth II famously descend from a helicopter into the stadium and although it was a major highlight of the ceremony, it was only recently revealed that the royal family was kept in the dark about the plan as the Queen didn't want them to know.

According to production stage manager Sam Hunter, the Queen never informed her family that she was doing it, who spoke on an edition of The Reunion on BBC Radio 4 in April. That was one of the stipulations when she agreed to be part of it. "So if you actually see when she comes and she takes her seat, you can see her family go, 'Ah, nice one.'"

She was described as "comfortable" in a statement, even though physicians were 'concerned' about her health. Prince Charles, Princess Royal, the Duke of York, and the Earl of Wessex, the Queen's four children, hurried to be by her side in her last hours. The Duchess of Cornwall and the Countess of Wessex also joined them. Following the news of her death, Prince Harry was seen arriving at Balmoral later that evening. Buckingham Palace announced around 6.30 pm on Thursday in a statement that read: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon." It has since been confirmed that the Queen's son, formerly known as Charles, Prince of Wales, will now ascend the throne as King Charles III.