Queen Elizabeth II, the longest serving monarch of UK dies at 96
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. Her eldest son Charles, 73, automatically becomes king of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Pakistan and India Condole her death
LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch of the UK, died on Thursday, aged 96. “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 Royal Family said in a statement.
Earlier today, the palace said that the Queen was under medical supervision at Balmoral after the doctors expressed their concern over her health. “Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors were concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,” the official statement from Palace said.
The Queen was born on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York – who later became King George VI – and Queen Elizabeth.
Buckingham Palace earlier reported that doctors were concerned about the health of Elizabeth II, and recommended that she remain under medical supervision.
If reports are to be believed the British government have a plan Codenamed Operation London Bridge, in the event of her death.
The Queen was born on April 21, 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York – who later became King George VI – and Queen Elizabeth.
Then Princess Elizabeth and her family did not expect that she would one day become the monarch. Her Royal Highness was expected to live a relatively normal, if privileged, life with her close-knit and loving family. But everything changed in December 1936 when her uncle – King Edward VIII – abdicated, leaving her father as King, and her as next in line to the throne.
Then Princess Elizabeth later married Philip Mountbatten in November 1947 at Westminster Abbey in London, United Kingdom.
Prince Charles
Her eldest son Charles, 73, automatically becomes king of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Her family had rushed to be by her side at her Scottish home, Balmoral Castle, after doctors expressed concern about her health. She had been suffering from what Buckingham Palace has called “episodic mobility problems” since the end of last year, forcing her to withdraw from nearly all her public engagements.
Queen Elizabeth II, who was also the world’s oldest and longest-serving head of state, came to the throne following the death of her father King George VI on February 6, 1952, when she was just 25. She was crowned in June the following year.
Prince Charles has released a statement shortly after the death of his mother, saying: “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.”
Clarence House confirmed Charles will now be known as King Charles III. William and Catherine will now be known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.
Earlier on Thursday, in a rare update on her health, the palace revealed doctors had been “concerned” and recommended The Queen remain under medical supervision.
Charles and the Queen’s three other children then travelled to Scotland to be by her side. The Duke of Sussex and Duke of Cambridge also travelled to Balmoral Castle.
The Queen last appeared in public earlier in the week when as she appointed Liz Truss as prime minister. Truss, dressed in black, addressed the nation outside No 10 following the news of the Queen’s death.
She said: “We are all devastated by the news that we have just heard from Balmoral. “The death of Her Majesty the Queen is a huge shock to the nation and to the world.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement to have presided with such dignity and grace for 70 years. Her life of service stretched beyond most of our living memories.
Earlier announcement
Queen Elizabeth II is under medical supervision at Balmoral after the doctors expressed their concern over her health, Buckingham Palace said.
“Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision,” the official statement from Buckingham Palace said. “The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral,” the statement added.
The new Prime Minister, Liz Truss said that the whole country will be “deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime.”
Taking to Twitter, She said, “The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime. My thoughts – and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom – are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time.”
The announcement comes after the Queen, postponed the key meeting on Wednesday after the doctors advised her to take a rest, reported CNN.
Queen, 96, was scheduled to attend a virtual meeting of her Privy Council, a day after Liz Truss was appointed as the new UK Prime Minister.
The Privy Council is a body formed of senior politicians who act as the Queen’s official advisers. During the gathering on Wednesday, Truss would have taken her oath and new cabinet ministers would have been sworn into their roles.
“After a full day yesterday, Her Majesty has this afternoon accepted doctors’ advice to rest. This means that the Privy Council meeting that had been due to take place this evening will be rearranged,” a Palace spokesman said.
The meeting was virtual and the Queen hasn’t been to the hospital, reported CNN citing a royal source.
The Queen remains at Balmoral Castle, her Scottish country residence, where she received Truss and her predecessor Boris Johnson on Tuesday.
“The Queen received Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle today. Her Majesty asked her to form a new Administration. Ms. Truss accepted Her Majesty’s offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury,” The Royal Family tweeted.
Pakistan extends condolences
Immediately after the news was reported, President Dr Arif Alvi expressed his sincere condolences to the Royal family, the Government and the people of Great Britain.
He said that her departure had left an immense vacuum, difficult to be filled in times to come, a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat said.
The president said that she ascended the throne at a very young age but showed maturity, character, determination, and commitment to the highest order which had made her one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world.
“Her inspiring leadership qualities propelled her to the status of great and beneficent ruler that would be remembered in golden words in the annals of world history.”
Alvi offered his sincere and heartfelt prayers for the departed soul, adding that thoughts went out to the Royal family members and people of Great Britain at this time of sorrow.
Narender Modi condoles death of Queen Elizabeth India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the death of Queen Elizabeth II as he hailed her “inspiring leadership”.
Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister recalled his memorable meetings with the Queen during his UK visits in 2015 and 2018. “I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings, she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture,” PM Modi tweeted.
The Prime Minister said Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart of our times. “She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people. She personified dignity and decency in public life. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and people of the UK in this sad hour,” he said in a subsequent tweet.