Queen Elizabeth II the longest serving British monarch in history has passed away.
Her Royal Highness was 96-years-old. She reigned for 70 years, having just celebrated her Diamond Jubilee.
Buckingham Palace made the announcement early Thursday afternoon:
Earlier Thursday news broke that the Queen had been under medical supervision at her summer home, Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Doctors were concerned for her health, they said at the time.
The now-King Charles III and the rest of her children hurried to her side. Prince William, the next heir to the throne also travelled to be with his grandmother. His brother Harry was en route at last report.
King Charles III, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as its new King, and head of state for 14 commonwealth countries, including Canada.
The King said in a statement, “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.”
He also said that his family is “comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”
Since the Palace made the initial announcement about her health Thursday morning a crowd started gathering at Buckingham Palace, where the flag is now at half-staff and the official announcement of the Monarch’s death posted. That crowd is growing as is a shrine of flowers at the palace gates.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared a statement about the Queen’s passing on behalf of all Canadians.
It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022
He added, “As we look back at her life and her reign that spanned so many decades, Canadians will always remember and cherish Her Majesty’s wisdom, compassion, and warmth. Our thoughts are with the members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time.”
In live comments shortly after the Prime Minister called her one of his, “Favourite people in the world.”
His are among dozens of messages of sympathy being expressed from around the globe.
It was just days ago that the Queen was expressing sympathy of her own after the stabbing attacks in Saskatchewan. “My thoughts and prayers are with those recovering from injuries, and grieving such horrific losses,” she wrote. “I mourn with all Canadians at this tragic time.”
Now the world mourns with her family.
The Queen’s eyes saw many pages of history written, from post-war austerity, to the transition from the British Empire to the British Commonwealth, to the end of the Cold War, and to the UK’s entry into the European Union to name but a few.
Her Highness also worked with 15 British Prime Ministers during her reign, starting with Winston Churchill and ending with Liz Truss who was just appointed by the Queen this week.
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