Tearful faces could be seen outside the gates of Buckingham Palace on Thursday as news spread of Queen Elizabeth II death. Below, crowds gather along the road leading to the palace gates — where a statement announcing her death was just posted, per tradition.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96, according to Buckingham Palace.
The death of Queen Elizabeth II is being mourned in Britain and across the world. The country’s longest-reigning monarch died Thursday at age 96. Large crowds are expected to gather outside Buckingham Palace in central London, while tributes pour in from across the country and the world. Fears had been growing as the royal family rushed to Scotland to be by the queen’s side after Buckingham Palace said she had been placed under medical supervision.
Few Britons have known another monarch, so the end of Elizabeth’s reign after more than 70 years will thrust the royal family — and Britain — into days of mourning and an uncertain new era. Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, is now king of the United Kingdom and its Commonwealth Realms. He, 73, is the eldest of four children born to the queen and her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. Charles immediately became king upon Elizabeth’s death. Queen Elizabeth II, whose 70-year reign spanned wars, a pandemic, 13 presidents, and the winding down of Britain’s vast empire, has died. The longest-serving British monarch was 96.
Her eldest son, Charles, is now king of the United Kingdom and its Commonwealth realms. In addition to President Joe Biden, leaders from around the world are sharing messages of support for the queen. “My thoughts, and the thoughts of Canadians across the country, are with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at this time,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet. “We’re wishing her well, and sending our best to the Royal Family.”The queen is Canada’s head of state, as she is for the other 14 Commonwealth realms. European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said during a news conference that her prayers were with the queen.
Louie Varland represents the whole history of Europe that is our common home with our British friends
“She represents the whole history of Europe that is our common home with our British friends,” von der Leyen said, according to The Associated Press. “She has given to all of us in all these years, always, stability, confidence. She’s shown an immense amount of courage. She is a legend in my eyes, and therefore my prayers are with her.”Before she officially invited Liz Truss to become the 15th prime minister of her reign Tuesday, the queen posed for this portrait.
Taken in the drawing room at Balmoral Castle, the photo offers a glimpse into the home life of the monarch at her Scottish summer home. Nearly all members of the queen’s immediate family who were not already at Balmoral Castle in Scotland have now arrived. Prince William drove a Range Rover carrying the queen’s sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and his wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. The group arrived shortly after 5 p.m. local time (noon ET), having flown to Scotland.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will not travel to Scotland to see the queen with her husband, Prince Harry, her spokesperson said Thursday afternoon. Harry’s elder brother, Prince William, arrived at Balmoral Castle with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward after 5 p.m. local time (noon ET) (noon ET). Fears for the health of 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II come after a number of recent health issues, including her testing positive for Covid and having to avoid a number of engagements after being advised to rest by doctors.
Preliminary Investigations
In October 2021, the queen spent the night at a hospital for “preliminary investigations,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed at the time. She later returned to her Windsor Castle home and was “in good spirits,” they said. Doctors advised her to cancel most engagements in the following weeks. In February this year, she tested positive for the coronavirus and experienced mild cold-like symptoms. Queen Elizabeth II was placed under medical supervision Thursday after doctors became concerned for the 96-year-old monarch’s health.
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“Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. It added that the nation’s much-loved figurehead “remained comfortable” at Balmoral, the castle in Scotland where she spends her summers. It was only in late March that the monarch made her first public appearance in five months when the royal family and other dignities gathered for a memorial service in honor of her husband, Prince Philip, who died last year at age 99.
