At the age of 96, Queen Elizabeth II is dead. The longest-reigning monarch passed away on Thursday afternoon after health complications
The news of the world’s most recognisable woman’s death came after she was rushed to Balmoral on Thursday over “health concerns“.
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The queen’s oldest child, Charles, Prince of Wales; and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; as well as the queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, is already at Balmoral, according to their respective spokespersons.
The queen’s sons, Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; as well as Edward’s wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex; Charles’ two sons, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; along with Harry’s wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are all at Balmoral, their respective spokespersons confirmed.
On Wednesday, the queen cancelled a meeting of her Privy Council and was told to rest.
The queen has battled several health conditions over the past year, including COVID-19 and an overnight hospitalisation for what Buckingham Palace described as “preliminary investigations.” She began using a walking stick in public last year.
Since 1952, Elizabeth II worked as a mechanic during World War II, talked politics with 15 prime ministers and 13 United States presidents, led 53 Commonwealth countries and welcomed eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Her late husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died on April 9, 2021. He was the longest-serving consort in British history.
Following her death, The Prince of Wales will become King and address the nation on the evening of her passing, and the Duchess of Cornwall will become Queen Camilla.
Sir Christopher Geidt, the Queen’s private secretary, will be in charge of informing Prime Minister Liz Truss of the Queen’s passing. Ms Truss met with the Queen on Monday.
The code word “London Bridge” will be used to announce her death to officials, with civil servants expected to say ‘London Bridge is down’ on secure lines. The plans were first created in the 1960s and are updated each year, involving various government departments such as the Church of England, Metropolitan Police Service, the British Armed Forces, the media, the Royal Parks, London boroughs, the Greater London Authority and Transport for London.
The Foreign Office’s Global Response Centre will share the news with the 15 governments outside the UK, where the Queen is also the head of state and the other nations of the Commonwealth. Pilots are also expected to announce her death during their flights.
The day of the Queen’s death will be followed by a 12-day mourning period. Her body will be moved to Buckingham Palace, and preparations will be made for the state funeral. The Archbishop of Canterbury will oversee funeral proceedings.
Her funeral would be held at Westminster Abbey, London and would include a procession in London and Windsor and a nationwide two minutes of silence at midday. The Queen’s funeral and Charles’ coronation will then become national holidays.
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