Early Thursday morning, Queen Elizabeth family were called to her Scottish estate after major concerns regarding her health grew. The Queen was surrounded by her grandson, Prince William, great grandchildren and immediate siblings with Prince Harry in route. It was announced in a statement from Buckingham Palace that, “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon”, The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
With her passing, her oldest son, Charles will become King and head of state over the 14 Commonwealths of England. Queen Elizabeth first took claim of the throne in 1952 and has ruled for a little over 70 years. Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor in April 1926, Elizabeth was crowned at Westminster Abbey in June 1953 at the age of 27. The Queen was not only present, but an important part of social change for the World. Queen Elizabeth has reigned through the tenure of 13 U.S. Presidents and 7 Wars and 15 prime ministers, ending with appointing Liz Truss just earlier this week.
As crowds gathered outside of Buckingham Palace in London on Thursday morning to hear updates on the Queens condition, the mood switched to somber and crying as her passing was announced. Flags across the UK were lowered to half-mast. It is expected that King Charles III will make a formal announcement on Friday 9/9.
The Queen is preceded in death by her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Phillip and Queen Elizabeth shared 74 years of marriage and served as the consort of the British monarch since her accession in 1952. The marriage produced three children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
“This is our country’s saddest day,” he said in a statement on Twitter, “In the hearts of every one of us there is an ache at the passing of our Queen, a deep and personal sense of loss — far more intense, perhaps, than we expected.” ~ Boris Johnson
Condolences’ from World Leaders
“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. “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.” ~King Charles III
“Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. She helped make our relationship special. “We first met the Queen in 1982, traveling to the UK as part of a Senate delegation. And we were honored that she extended her hospitality to us in June 2021 during our first overseas trip as President and First Lady, where she charmed us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared with us her wisdom. All told, she met 14 American presidents. She helped Americans commemorate both the anniversary of the founding of Jamestown and the bicentennial of our independence. And she stood in solidarity with the United States during our darkest days after 9/11, when she poignantly reminded us that ‘Grief is the price we pay for love,’”. ~ U.S. President Joe Biden
“Melania and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Together with our family and fellow Americans, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom during this time of great sorrow and grief. Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain,”. ~ Former President Donald J. Trump
“Michelle and I were lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us. Back when were just beginning to navigate life as President and First Lady, she welcome us to the world stage with open and extraordinary generosity”. ~ Former President Barack Obama
