Queen Elizabeth II has died
September, 8, 2022 Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
She died peacefully on Thursday afternoon at her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer.
The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.
Her son King Charles III said the death of his beloved mother was a “moment of great sadness” for him and his family and that her loss would be “deeply felt” around the world.
He said: “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother.
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
During the coming period of mourning, he said he and his family would be “comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held”.
The King and his wife, Camilla, now Queen Consort, will return to London on Friday, Buckingham Palace said. He is expected to address the nation.
Senior royals had gathered at Balmoral after the Queen’s doctors became concerned about her health earlier in the day.
All the Queen’s children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision.
Her grandson and now heir to the throne, Prince William, and his brother, Prince Harry, also gathered there.
Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was appointed by the Queen on Tuesday, said the monarch was the rock on which modern Britain was built, who had “provided us with the stability and strength that we needed”.
Speaking about the new King, she said: “We offer him our loyalty and devotion, just as his mother devoted so much, to so many, for so long.
“And with the passing of the second Elizabethan age, we usher in a new era in the magnificent history of our great country, exactly as Her Majesty would have wished, by saying the words ‘God save the King’.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby – spiritual leader to the Church of England of which the monarch is supreme governor – expressed his “profound sadness”.
Queen’s death a huge shock to the nation and the world – Prime Minister Truss, Queen Elizabeth II’s tenure as head of state spanned post-war austerity, the transition from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War and the UK’s entry into – and withdrawal from – the European Union.
Her reign spanned 15 prime ministers starting with Winston Churchill, born in 1874, and including Ms Truss, born 101 years later in 1975.
She held weekly audiences with her prime minister throughout her reign.
At Buckingham Palace in London, crowds awaiting updates on the Queen’s condition began crying as they heard of her death.
The union flag on top of the palace was lowered to half-mast at 18:30 BST and an official notice announcing the death was posted outside.
On the Queen’s death, Prince William and his wife, Catherine, became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall.
All the details about the Queen’s state funeral
The date 8 September 2022 will now forever remain significant in history, as it marks the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. A statement released from Buckingham Palace confirmed that “she passed away peacefully at Balmoral”.
Shortly after her passing, her son, now King Charles III, shared a heartfelt tribute to his mother.
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” he said. “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”
The funeral plans
As a monarch, the Queen will be given a state funeral. The exact details of the ceremony are yet to be formally announced, although preparations will have been underway for years – and the Queen herself played an active role in the plans. It will take place at Westminster Abbey, and it is expected that either the Dean of Westminster or the Archbishop of Canterbury, the senior bishop of the Church of England, will lead the service.
Her coffin will be flown from Scotland to London, where it shall spend a short amount of time at Buckingham Palace. There will then be a procession through the streets of London, where she will travel to Westminster Hall for the beginning of five days lying in state, reports The Guardian. It is here that the public will be able to visit and pay their respects – Westminster Hall will be open for 23 hours a day.
There will be a national two-minute silence held at midday on the day of the funeral, and after the service the Queen’s coffin will be taken to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for a televised committal service. Later that evening, there will be a private service with senior members of the royal family.
The Queen will then be laid to rest at St. George’s Chapel, which is also the resting place of her parents, her sister Princess Margaret and her beloved Prince Philip.
Who will attend?
All royal family members will attend the Queen’s funeral, including her children, King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, along with their own families. The Queen’s grandchildren will also be present, including Prince William and his wife Kate, the new Princess of Wales, and Prince Harry. It’s expected that Meghan, the duchess of Sussex will also fly over to join him.
Heads of state, prime ministers and presidents, and other important international figures will also be invited to the funeral. The newly appointed prime minister of the UK, Liz Truss, will also attend. The abbey can hold a congregation of around 2,000 people.
When will it take place?
While the date has yet to be confirmed, the funeral is expected to take place roughly 10 days after the public announcement of her death (8 September 2022), making the date around 18 or 19 September.
Will it be televised?
The full funeral service will be televised, as will the committal service at St George’s Chapel. The procession of the coffin from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle will also be shown on TV. The day will also be marked with a public holiday.
