Global reactions to Brexit
In a shocking referendum Britain has spoken, and its people want out of the European Union. Within several years, it will be a reality.
Britain voted to break away from the European Union on June 24, 2016, toppling Prime Minister David Cameron and dealing a thunderous blow to the 60-year-old bloc that sent world markets plunging.
Reactions vary wildly around the globe.
Here, a vote remain supporter walks past a vote leave supporter outside Downing Street in London, June 24, 2016 after Britain voted to leave the European Union.
British newspapers
An arrangement of newspapers pictured in London on June 24, 2016, as an illustration, shows the front page of the London Evening Standard newspaper reporting the resignation of British Prime Minister David Cameron following the result of the UK's vote to leave the EU in the June 23 referendum.
Cameron is pictured holding hands with his wife Samantha as they come out from 10 Downing Street.
Prime Minister David Cameron
Prime Minister David Cameron said he will resign by the fall and insists the British people's will must be respected after voters chose to leave the 28-nation European Union.
"I will do everything I can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers the country to its next destination."
Cameron's wife Samantha watches outside Number 10 Downing Street in London, June 24, 2016.
EU flag
A European Union flag, with a hole cut in the middle, flies at half-mast outside a home in Knutsford Cheshire after today's historic referendum on June 24, 2016 in Knutsford, United Kingdom.
Leave EU supporters
Leave supporters cheer results at a Leave.eu party after polling stations closed in the Referendum on the European Union in London, June 23, 2016.
Berlin
A poster featuring a Brexit vote ballot with "out" tagged is on display at a book shop window in Berlin on June 24, 2016.
Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage, the leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), celebrates after Britain voted to leave the European Union in London, June 24, 2016.
"The dawn is breaking on an independent United Kingdom. Let June 23 go down in our history as our independence day!"
Boris Johnson
Former London mayor Boris Johnson says the vote to leave the European Union gives Britons a "glorious opportunity" to take control.
He said the vote means Britain will be able to set its own taxes and control its own borders.
"It was a noble idea for its time; it is no longer right for this country," Johnson said of the EU.
President Barack Obama
"The people of the United Kingdom have spoken, and we respect their decision. The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is enduring, and the United Kingdom's membership in NATO remains a vital cornerstone of U.S. foreign, security, and economic policy. So too is our relationship with the European Union, which has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth, and foster the spread of democratic values and ideals across the continent and beyond."
Donald Trump
"I love to see people take their country back," Trump told reporters in Scotland. "And that's really what's happening in the United States" and other parts of the world.
"People want to see borders. They don't necessarily want people pouring into their country that they don't know who they are and where they come from."
Lily Allen
Singer-singwriter Lily Allen tweeted back to Donald Trump about Scotland's overwhelming support for staying in the EU.
Leave supporter
A taxi driver holds a Union flag, as he celebrates following the result of the EU referendum, in central London, Britain June 24, 2016.
British expats react
People gathered in The Churchill Tavern, a British themed bar, react negatively as the BBC predicts Britain will leave the European Union, in New York City, June 23, 2016.
J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) commented on the issue of Scotland's independence since it overwhelmingly voted in favor of staying in the EU.
Nicola Sturgeon
Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon says a new Scottish referendum on independence is "highly likely" because of Britain's vote to leave the European Union.
She said Friday legislation will be prepared for a possible new vote. Independence was defeated two years ago in a Scottish referendum.
Sturgeon said she would do everything possible to keep Scotland inside the EU. She said this means another referendum "has to be on the table."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan
London Mayor Sadiq Khan wants Europeans living in the British capital to feel welcome in the city despite the result of the EU referendum.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Khan praised London's "nearly one million European citizens" as hard-working, tax-paying residents contributing to civic and cultural life.
"You are welcome here. We value the enormous contribution you make to our city and that will not change as a result of this referendum," Khan said.
Hillary Clinton
"We respect the choice the people of the United Kingdom have made. Our first task has to be to make sure that the economic uncertainty created by these events does not hurt working families here in America. We also have to make clear America's steadfast commitment to the special relationship with Britain and the transatlantic alliance with Europe."
Stronger in Campaign
Supporters of the Stronger In Campaign are dejected as results of the EU referendum are announced at the Royal Festival Hall, in London, June 24, 2016.
NY stock exchange
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) following news that the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union on June 24, 2016 in New York City.
The Dow Jones industrial average quickly fell nearly 500 points on the news with markets around the globe plunging.
Chancellor Angela Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the European Union is strong enough to find the "right answers" to Britain's vote to leave the bloc. "The European Union is strong enough to give the right answers to today."
She voiced "great regret" at the British decision to leave the EU and said the bloc must aim for a "close" future relationship with Britain. She emphasized that the country remains an EU member with "all rights and obligations" on both sides until negotiations are complete.
President Francois Hollande
French President Francois Hollande said he profoundly regrets the British vote to leave the European Union, but that the union must make changes in order to move forward. He said the vote will put Europe to the test, and he called for bolstering security and industrial policies.
He also called for reinforcement of the zone of countries that use the euro.
He said, "To move forward, Europe cannot act as before."
France's Le Pen
With a broad smile on her face, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said her National Front was the only political party in France to take the possibility of a British exit seriously, and she reiterated her call for a similar referendum in France, calling it "a democratic necessity."
"The British people have given to Europeans and to all the people of the world a shining lesson in democracy," Le Pen said.
Italy's Matteo Renzi
Italian Premier Matteo Renzi says after the British vote, it's time for "calm and lucidity" so Europe can set to work restructuring.
Renzi said Friday "Europe is our home" and "that of our children and grandchildren." He added that, today more than ever, "the house must be remodeled, maybe freshened up, but it's the house of our tomorrow." He said Europe's young people are asking for "more Europe'" to realize dreams and expectations.
Poland's Andrzej Duda
Polish President Andrzej Duda says Britain's decision to exit the European Union is "sad news" that should spur the bloc to counteract any other nations wishing to leave.
"We must do everything to avoid the domino effect, a situation when other member nations also say that they don't want to be in the European Union any longer."
Coldplay
The British band Coldplay tweeted their pro-EU stance.
Geert Wilder
"The British people defeated the political elite in Brussels and in London and now they are in charge again. Now it is our turn," Dutch far-right Party for Freedom leader Geert Wilder said.
Gary Lineker
Retired English footballer and now sports broadcaster, Gary Lineker, tweeted his dismay over the vote results.
James Corden
James Cordon (@JKCorden) commented on the impact of young Britons.
Pope Francis
Pope Francis says the British decision to leave the European Union reflects the will of its people and that Britain and the rest of the continent must now work to live together.
Francis told reporters that the decision places "a great responsibility on all of us to guarantee the well-being of the people of the United Kingdom."
He said it also will require all to "take responsibility for the well-being and coexistence of the entire European continent."
Mariano Rajoy
Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says his country has received Britain's decision to leave the European Union with sadness, adding that "it ought to make all member nations rethink."
Rajoy said he wished to transmit a message of "serenity and tranquility" to Spaniards and to businesses, markets and institutions, saying that now was not the moment to promote uncertainty despite the upset decision.
Joan Collins
British actress Joan Collins (@Joancollinsdbe) expressed her pro-Brexit support.
Ricky Gervais
British comedian Ricky Gervais published several tweets on the Brexit vote.
NATO's Jens Stoltenberg
NATO's chief says the British vote to leave the European Union shouldn't affect its status as a reliable and key member of the U.S.-led military alliance.
"As it defines the next chapter in its relationship with the EU, I know that the United Kingdom's position in NATO will remain unchanged," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday in a statement. "The U.K. will remain a strong and committed NATO ally, and will continue to play its leading role in our alliance."
Aamer Anwar
@AamerAnwar, a Scottish human rights campaigner in Glasgow, tweeted about Brexit-related financial losses
Hugh Laurie
British actor Hugh Laurie tweeted about potentially rising prices in England.
Madrid stock market
A picture taken on June 24, 2016 shows Madrid stock exchange boards in Madrid. The IBEX has fallen 12 percent following Britain has voted to break away from the European Union
London - Remain in EU supporters
Supporters of the Stronger In Campaign react as results of the EU referendum are announced at the Royal Festival Hall, in London, June 24, 2016.
Canary Wharf
Traders from BGC, a global brokerage company in London's Canary Wharf financial centre react as European stock markets open early June 24, 2016 after Britain voted to leave the European Union in the EU BREXIT referendum.
Elizabeth Hurley
Elizabeth Hurley was vocal on Twitter with her support for Britain's exit from the EU.
EU flag
A man carries a EU flag, after Britain voted to leave the European Union, outside Downing Street in London, June 24, 2016.