LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled the UK for 70 years (longest ever), passed away at Balmoral at the age of 96.
It was a “moment of great sadness” for him and his family, said her son King Charles III, and her loss will be “deeply felt” all around the world.
Following growing concerns over her health early on Thursday, senior royals gathered at her Scottish home.
The Queen saw significant social change after ascending to the throne in 1952.
“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,” His Majesty the king said.
He stated that 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 the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Following the Queen’s placement under medical supervision, all of her children made their way to Balmoral, which is close to Aberdeen.
Prince William, her grandson, is also present, and Prince Harry is en route.
Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was appointed on Thursday by the Queen said she was the “rock” upon which modern Britain was founded and that she had “provided us with the stability and strength that we needed”.
She spoke of the new King, saying “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’.”
Crowds waiting for information on the Queen’s condition at Buckingham Palace in London started crying when they learned of her passing. At 18:30 BST, the Union flag atop the palace was lowered to half-staff, and a formal notice of the death was put up on an easel outside.
The reign of Queen Elizabeth II as head of state covered the post-war II period of austerity, the change from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War, and the UK’s membership in – and exit from – the European Union.
15 prime ministers served during her reign, including Ms. Truss, who was born in 1975, 101 years after Winston Churchill, in 1874.
Throughout her rule, she met with her prime minister on a weekly basis.
All the whirlwind the UK is going through from rising bills, inflation, cost of living crisis to strikes and electing a new PM, the country has come to an abrupt stop as it mourns the passing of its great monarch.
