Update 10 Sep 2022: Queen's funeral on Sep 19 as King Charles proclaimed monarch
A tribute to Queen Elizabeth II is pictured in Green Park in London on Sep 10, 2022, two days after she died at the age of 96. King Charles III pledged to follow his mother's example of "lifelong service" in his inaugural address to Britain and the Commonwealth after ascending to the throne. (Photo: AFP/Marco Bertorello)
The state funeral for Queen Elizabeth will be held on Monday, Sep 19, royal officials said on Saturday, as her son Charles was officially proclaimed Britain's new king in a colourful ceremony laden with pageantry and dating back centuries.
The death of the 96-year-monarch has provoked tears, sadness and warm tributes, not just from the queen's own close family and many Britons, but also from around the world - reflecting her presence on the world stage for 70 years.
"We all thought she was invincible," said her grandson Prince William, now the heir to the throne. "It's been surreal," he said during a walkabout outside Windsor Castle where he and his wife Kate appeared closely in public for the first time in two years with his younger brother Harry and his wife Meghan - a sign Elizabeth's death might help heal a rift between Charles' sons.
Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96; King Charles III takes the throne
Queen Elizabeth II ascended yo the throne after the death of her Father in 1952
The longest-ever reign of Queen Elizabeth II, the only monarch most of her subjects have ever known, is over. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor died Thursday at Balmoral Castle, her estate in Scotland. She was 96.
The palace issued a black-bordered statement about 6.30 p.m. local time: "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." Her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, 73, immediately became King Charles III upon her death. His wife became Queen Consort Camilla.
Buckingham Palace issued another black-bordered statement from "His Majesty the King," shortly after her death. "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," the statement 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. "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."
Double Rainbow Appears Over Buckingham Palace as Crowd Gathers to Mourn Queen
A double rainbow has appeared over Buckingham Palace as members of the public gathered outside to pay their respects to the Queen.
People among the thousand-strong crowd outside the Palace gates in central London turned round to take pictures of the rainbow that appeared after a heavy downpour. Buckingham Palace announced the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday.
Peter Barnes, 31, a campaign director who works in central London, told the PA news agency: "The mood is very sombre here at Buckingham Palace. "Many people in the crowd commented on the rainbow with many taking photos." The rainbow could be seen over major landmarks across the capital including Elizabeth Tower in Westminster and the Queen Victoria Memorial.
Obituary: Queen Elizabeth II
The long reign of Queen Elizabeth II was marked by her strong sense of duty and her determination to dedicate her life to her throne and to her people.
She became for many the one constant point in a rapidly changing world as British influence declined, society changed beyond recognition and the role of the monarchy itself came into question. Her success in maintaining the monarchy through such turbulent times was even more remarkable given that, at the time of her birth, no-one could have foreseen that the throne would be her destiny.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on 21 April 1926, in a house just off Berkeley Square in London, the first child of Albert, Duke of York, second son of George V, and his duchess, the former Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96
In this file photo taken on June 5, 2022, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II waves to the crowd from Buckingham Palace balcony at the end of the Platinum Pageant in London as part of Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations. (Photo: AFP/Frank Augstein)
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, the nation's figurehead and a towering presence on the world stage for seven decades, died peacefully at her home in Scotland on Thursday (Sep 8) aged 96. "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," the new king, her eldest son Charles, 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," the 73-year-old said in a statement. News that the queen's health was deteriorating emerged shortly after midday on Thursday when her doctors said she was under medical supervision, prompting her family to rush to Scotland to be by her side. Thousands gathered outside Buckingham Palace, in central London, and there was a stunned silence when the flag was lowered to half-mast. The crowd surged to the gates as the notice announcing the death of the only monarch most Britons have ever known was attached to the black iron gates.
Royal officials said King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, would remain at Balmoral Castle, where the queen died, before returning to London on Friday, when he is expected to address the nation and meet Prime Minister Liz Truss. Details of the funeral have not been confirmed. On Elizabeth's death, Charles automatically became monarch of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. He is expected to visit all the nations of the United Kingdom in the coming days.
Queen Elizabeth II bows out after 70 years on throne
Queen Elizabeth, Britain's longest reigning monarch, has died at the age of 96. The royal who wasn't supposed to become queen at all, sat on the throne for seventy years following the death in 1952 of her father, George VI, who himself assumed the throne only because of the abdication by his brother, King Edward VIII in 1936.
Working with fifteen British prime ministers throughout her reign, beginning with Winston Churchill, the queen served as head of state for both Labour and Conservative governments, following the modern royal tradition of remaining neutral on political matters. She helped lead her country through the aftermath of World War II, the Cold War, economic booms and busts, strife in Northern Ireland, the creation of the European Union, and Brexit.
Admired for her dedication to her job, Queen Elizabeth was seen by many Britons as a pillar of strength for the country at a time when the nation was navigating its diminishing world power. Earning the distinction of Britain's longest reigning monarch on September 9, 2015, she characteristically went about her daily duties, which included opening a new railway in Scotland, barely mentioning the distinction. 'Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones; my own is no exception,' she said at the ceremony.
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, dies at 96
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch and one of the most enduring royal personalities the world has known, has died at the age of 96. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the queen died Thursday at Balmoral Castle, her official residence in Scotland. "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," the palace said in a statement, referring to the new monarch, Elizabeth's eldest son, now known as King Charles III, and his wife Camilla.
"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," Charles said in a statement on Thursday. "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."
The news of he death came after palace officials issued a statement earlier in the day saying Elizabeth had been put under "medical supervision" at Balmoral as her doctors were "concerned for Her Majesty's health." All of the senior members of the royal family quickly traveled to be by her side.
'A stalwart': World mourns Britain's Queen Elizabeth II
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses a press conference after news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, at the Beehive in Wellington, New Zealand, on Sept. 9, 2022. (Mark Mitchell/New Zealand Herald via AP)
Condolences poured in from around the world Thursday after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who became a global icon of calmness and fortitude through decades of political upheaval and social changes at home and abroad.
Elizabeth, who had been on the throne since 1952, when the nation was still rebuilding from the destruction of World War II, died Thursday afternoon at age 96 at Balmoral Castle, her summer residence in Scotland. Elizabeth was mourned across the 54-nation Commonwealth, a group built around Britain and its former colonies.
At the United Nations, the Security Council stood in silent tribute at the start of a meeting on Ukraine. France's U.N. Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere, the council president, sent condolences on behalf of its 15 members. Queen Elizabeth II presided "over a period of historic changes both for her country and the world," he said. "Her life was devoted to the service of her country."
related:
Queen Elizabeth II remembered by world leaders
As people around the world remember Queen Elizabeth II following her death on Thursday, many world leaders have expressed their condolences and recounted fond memories of Britain's longest ruling leader in speeches, statements and tributes.
Here are some of their responses to the news:
- U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss
- U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
- Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo
- Pope Francis
Queen's funeral guests: Who will - and who won't - attend
Representatives from Syria, Venezuela and Afghanistan have not been invited, reports the BBC's James Landale. This is because the UK does not have full diplomatic relations with these countries. No-one from Russia, Belarus and Myanmar has been invited either.
Diplomatic relations between the UK and Russia have all but collapsed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and a spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was "not considering" attending the funeral. The invasion was launched partially from the territory of Belarus. And the UK has significantly scaled back its diplomatic presence in Myanmar since a military coup last year.
North Korea (DPRK) and Nicaragua have been invited to send only ambassadors, not heads of state.
Russia, Belarus, Myanmar not invited to Queen Elizabeth's funeral
In response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the UK and its Western allies have sought to isolate Russia and Belarus globally with economic sanctions and other measures. Also, as the UK government is stepping up support for Myanmar's Rohingya community, it has imposed sanctions on Myanmar and its military regime.
The BBC said some 500 foreign dignitaries will attend the funeral in London, with invitations being sent to the heads of state of most countries with diplomatic relations with the UK. Likely to be the UK's largest diplomatic gathering in years, many world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and the prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, will be present at the royal funeral.
Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. Her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British monarch and the second-longest recorded of any monarch of a sovereign country. At the time of her death, Elizabeth was queen of 14 other Commonwealth realms in addition to the UK.
Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth). Her father acceded to the throne in 1936 upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, making Elizabeth the heir presumptive. She was educated privately at home and began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. In November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, and their marriage lasted 73 years until his death in April 2021. They had four children together: Charles III; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonisation of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. The number of her realms varied over time as territories have gained independence and some realms have become republics. Her many historic visits and meetings include state visits to China in 1986, Russia in 1994, the Republic of Ireland in 2011, and visits with five Popes.
Significant events include Elizabeth's coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively. Elizabeth was the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch, and the second-longest verifiable reigning sovereign monarch in world history, only behind Louis XIV of France. She faced occasional republican sentiment and media criticism of her family, particularly after the breakdowns of her children's marriages, her annus horribilis in 1992, and the death of her former daughter-in-law Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. However, support for the monarchy in the United Kingdom remained consistently high, as did her personal popularity. Elizabeth died on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire. She was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles III
King Charles III, the new monarch
It is expected that Charles will be officially proclaimed King on Saturday. This will happen at St James's Palace in London, in front of a ceremonial body known as the Accession Council
At the moment the Queen died, the throne passed immediately and without ceremony to the heir, Charles, the former Prince of Wales. But there are a number of practical - and traditional - steps which he must go through to be crowned King. He will be known as King Charles III.
That was the first decision of the new king's reign. He could have chosen from any of his four names - Charles Philip Arthur George. He is not the only one who faces a change of title. Although he is heir to the throne, Prince William will not automatically become Prince of Wales - that will have to be conferred on him by his father.
He has inherited his father's title of Duke of Cornwall - William and Kate are now titled Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. There is also a new title for Charles' wife, Camilla, who becomes the Queen Consort - consort is the term used for the spouse of the monarch.
related: Queen Elizabeth II has died, aged 96
What can the world expect from King Charles III?
Charles has continued to be a pioneer on green issues in recent years
In a statement released shortly after the official announcement of her passing, Charles described the death of his “beloved” mother as “a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.” The coming days will be a time during which Charles both assumes his new duties and mourns a great personal loss. After a lifetime in the public eye, he is a familiar figure to many in Britain and around the globe. But no one yet knows what kind of monarch King Charles III – the title he has taken, ending years of speculation – will become.
As CNN’s royal correspondent, I’ve reported on Britain’s new king for many years and traveled around the world with him. One of the best insights I had was when I was invited with a group of other journalists to Dumfries House, his stately home near Glasgow in Scotland, in 2018 ahead of his 70th birthday. I spent two days there and was given unusual access to Charles and many of those closest to him. I was treated to tours of the estate, high tea, dinners and a spectacular bagpiping performance beside a roaring open fire.
King Charles III, Britain's conflicted new monarch
A June 2022 photo shows Britain's Prince Charles and his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during celebrations for the queen's platinum jubilee celebrations in London. PHOTO: AFP
With the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth on Thursday, Prince Charles has become king of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms, ending a wait of more than 70 years - the longest by an heir in British history.
The role will be daunting. His late mother was overwhelmingly popular and respected, but she leaves a royal family that has seen reputations tarnished and relationships strained, including over lingering allegations of racism against Buckingham Palace officials.
King Charles III confronts those challenges at the age of 73, the oldest monarch to take the throne in a lineage that dates back 1,000 years, with his second wife Camilla, who still divides public opinion, by his side.
The UK’s royal line of succession explained
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, has died at 96 after 70 years on the throne, Buckingham Palace has said. Elizabeth II was born in London on April 21, 1926. She was most likely set to remain a princess until she was nudged towards succession by the abdication of her uncle, King Edward VIII, in 1936, and her father – King George VI – was crowned.
In 1952, when she was 25 years old, Elizabeth acceded to the throne, following the death of her father. In 2015, she became the United Kingdom’s longest-ruling monarch, overtaking her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who reigned for more than 63 years. Succession to the British throne determines who will become the next king or queen. It is decided based upon descent, religion and primogeniture. Protestant descendants of Princess Sophia, the granddaughter of James I, are eligible to the throne. The future monarch must also be “in communion” with the Church of England.
Previously, younger male heirs acceded to the throne, displacing elder daughters. However, in 2013, a law was passed that allowed female heirs equal rights in the line of succession. As Prince Charles becomes King Charles III, the line of succession for the British crown is:
- Prince William, the duke of Cambridge (40)
- Prince George (9)
- Princess Charlotte (7)
- Prince Louis (4)
Britain's royal line of succession
After an historic 70 years on the throne as Britain's longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96, at her home at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, on Sept. 8, 2022.
Immediately upon her passing, her eldest son, Prince Charles, became the new king.
There are detailed protocols governing the line of succession and who would eventually take over after Charles's reign. In January 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced plans to pare back their royal duties. However, those plans do not include an abdication and they remain in the line of succession... as do their two children.
Here's a look at who is in line for the throne after King Charles III:
- Prince William, Duke of Cambridge - Son of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales
- Prince George - Son of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
- Princess Charlotte - Daughter of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
- Prince Louis - Son of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
- Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex - Son of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales
- Archie Harrison Mountbatten - Son of Prince Harry; great-grandson of Queen Elizabeth II
- Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor - Daughter of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
- Prince Andrew, Duke of York - Son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
- Princess Beatrice of York - Daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York
- Miss Sienna Mapelli Mozzi - Daughter of Princess Beatrice of York
- Princess Eugenie of York - Daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York
- August Philip Hawke Brooksbank - Son of Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank
- Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex - Son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
- James, Viscount Severn - Son of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex
- Lady Louise Windsor - Daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex
- Anne, Princess Royal - Daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
- Peter Phillips - Son of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips
- Savannah Phillips - Daughter of Peter and Autumn Phillips
- Isla Phillips - Daughter of Peter and Autumn Phillips
- Zara Tindall - Daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips
- Mia Tindall - Daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall
- Lena Elizabeth Tindall - Daughter of Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall
- Lucas Philip Tindall - Son of Zara and Mike Tindall
- David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley - Son of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
- Charles Armstrong-Jones - Grand-nephew of Queen Elizabeth II (son of David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley and Serena Armstrong-Jones, Viscountess Linley)
- Margarita Armstrong-Jones - Daughter of David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley, and Serena Armstrong-Jones, Viscountess Linley
- Lady Sarah Chatto - Daughter of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
- Samuel Chatto - Grand-nephew of Queen Elizabeth II (son of Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto)
- Arthur Chatto - Grand-nephew of Queen Elizabeth II (son of Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto)
- Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester - Son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester
Meghan and Harry go simple and subtle in ‘loving’ tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
In March 2021, they gave a bombshell interview to Oprah Winfrey during which Meghan said her unhappiness during her time as a working royal had pushed her to the brink of suicide. She also said there had been concerns within the family when she was pregnant with Archie about what colour the baby's skin would be. Meghan's mother is Black and her father is white.
While the Twitter fires continue to burn over Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s relationship with Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex just paid quiet tribute to the late monarch.
On Thursday, the couple paid their respects through the homepage of their Archewell Foundation with a simple statement. “In loving memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the white text said against a black background. “1926 to 2022.” The message remains in place no matter how much site visitors scroll, on both desktop and mobile browsers. The homepage also lacks navigation features that could take users to different pages on the site. To access those different pages, visitors have to either manually enter the specific links or go through a search engine.
The subtle and stationary memorial appeared shortly after news of the queen’s death broke Thursday morning. Prince Harry, who is now fifth in line for the throne, made the trip to Balmoral, where his grandmother spent her final moments before she died at age 96. Meghan stayed behind in England, but did not attend Thursday’s WellChild Awards.
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A look back at Queen Elizabeth's life in photos
Princesses Elizabeth, left, & Margaret, right, with their mother in June 1936 in the garden of the Royal Lodge at Windsor
From princess to queen, from mother to monarch, Queen Elizabeth II saw a lot in almost a century of life.
On February 6, 1952, the then-Princess Elizabeth received news that would change her life forever: her father, King George VI, had passed away, and she was going to be Queen. Since then, Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to reach the historic milestone of a Platinum Jubilee.
Having overseen the throne for seven decades, she was the longest-reigning British monarch in history. In this gallery, we take a look at the Queen's life.
