Photo Credit: British Royal Family
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II was confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Thursday. She was 96 years old and held the title of the longest-reigning Queen in British history. She served as the nation’s Queen for more than seven decades.
After her passing, her eldest son Charles—now King Charles III—took over immediately. “[It is] a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” the King 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,” he added.
The Royal Family released in a statement, “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.”
Large grieving crowds gathered outside Balmoral Castle, where the Queen’s body was temporarily resting, in response to the announcement. Numerous people visited the castle and other royal palaces to pay their respects to the royal family despite the torrential rains presently plaguing Britain.
Read Also: Gas Crisis in Europe will Only get Worse says Energy Companies
A sad day for the world
Many foreign leaders sent their sympathies to the royal family after hearing the news that stunned the whole globe.
In a telegram to the King, Pope Francis said, “Commending her noble soul to the merciful goodness of our Heavenly Father, I assure Your Majesty of my prayers that Almighty God will sustain you with his unfailing grace as you now take up your high responsibilities as King,” the Pope wrote.
“Upon you and all who cherish the memory of your late mother, I invoke an abundance of divine blessings as a pledge of comfort and strength in the Lord,” the Pope added.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss, talked with King Charles III after news of the Queen’s passing late in the afternoon, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. The minister will discuss the situation with other leaders at a scheduled meeting.
Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made a televised address expressing her condolences “Like everyone across Scotland, the United Kingdom, indeed the world, I feel a deep sense of sadness on the death of Her Majesty the Queen. On behalf of the people of Scotland, I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the King, the Queen Consort and to the entire royal family.”
Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, also released a statement saying his deepest condolences to British countrymen, “From her famous first trip to Australia, the only reigning sovereign to ever visit, it was clear Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia. Fifteen more tours before cheering crowds in every part of our country confirmed the special place she held in ours.”
British artists and performers, as well as other international leaders, have all expressed condolences for the passing of the Queen. The Queen’s funeral rites, which are anticipated to draw large crowds, are scheduled to be planned by British authorities and the royal palace in the coming days.
Read Also: Artemis I Launch Date to be Pushed Back After Issues Impeded Intended Takeoff
Queen Elizabeth II fast facts
Fast Facts about Queen Elizabeth II
Birth date: April 21, 1926
Birthplace: London, England
Name: Elizabeth Alexandra Mary
Father: King George VI
Mother: Queen Elizabeth
Spouse: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (November 20, 1947-April 09, 2021, his death)
Children:
Edward, Earl of Wessex (March 10, 1964);
Andrew, Duke of York (February 19, 1960);
Anne, Princess Royal (August 15, 1950);
Charles, Prince of Wales (November 14, 1948)
Grandchildren:
From Prince Charles and Princess Diana: (1) Prince William and (2) Prince Henry ;
From Princess Anne and Mark Phillips: (3) Peter Phillips and (4) Zara Phillips;
From Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson: (5) Princess Beatrice and (6) Princess Eugenie;
From Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones: (7) Lady Louise Windsor and (8) James Windsor, (9) Viscount Severn
Great-Grandchildren:
From Zara Phillips Tindall: (1) Mia Grace, (2) Lena Elizabeth and (3) Lucas Philip;
From Prince William: (4) George Alexander Louis, (5) Charlotte Elizabeth Diana and (6) Louis Arthur Charles;
From Peter Phillips: (7) Savannah and Isla;
From Prince Harry: (8) Archie Harrison and (9) Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana Mountbatten-Windsor;
From Princess Eugenie: (10) August Philip Hawke Brooksbank;
From Princess Beatrice: (11) Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi.
Source: CNN
Opinions expressed by Texas Today contributors are their own.
