Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch died Thursday Sept. 8, 2022, after 70 years on the throne. (AP)Queen Elizabeth II Death Live Updates: The state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II will take place at 3.30 PM (IST) on Monday, September 19 at Westminster Abbey in London. According to the information provided by England’s most senior peer who is in charge of state occasions, the coffin will be taken from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh on Sunday before being flown to London on Tuesday. It will later lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday until the morning of the funeral at London’s Westminster Abbey. Details on the 96-year-old queen’s funeral will be released later, but organizers described the ceremony as a “fitting farewell to one of the defining figures of our times,” AP reported. Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch died Thursday, September. 8, 2022, at her summer retreat in Scottish Highlands.
Earlier in the day, King Charles III was proclaimed Britain’s new monarch in two ceremonies in London, at Accession Council and at the Royal Exchange, which was televised for the first time in history. “God save the King” were the words proclaimed at both ceremonies accompanied by a gun salute. The throne had passed to the 73-year-old former Prince of Wales following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday and Saturday’s ceremony marked his formal declaration and oath-taking at St. James’s Palace in London. Following the proclamation, King Charles III held his first Privy Council meeting and made his personal declaration to “assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty” and follow in the footsteps of his late mother.
Late Friday, in his first address to Britain as monarch, King Charles III expressed “profound sorrow” at the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II vowed to carry on the queen’s “lifelong service” to the nation. Mourners at the service included Prime Minister Liz Truss and members of her government. Earlier on Friday, King Charles had also bestowed the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales on his eldest son William and his daughter-in-law Kate, who are the next in line for the throne.
Britain's Prince William said on Saturday that he knew the day would come when his "Grannie" Queen Elizabeth II would be no more but that it would take some time for the reality to sink in, as he reflected upon how the world had lost an “extraordinary leader”.
In his first statement as the Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, posted on Instagram, the 40-year-old said he would honour the memory of the late monarch by supporting his father, the new monarch.
“I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real,” William said in his short statement.
“On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute… I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade,” he said. (PTI)
Prince Harry and Meghan join Prince William and Kate in viewing floral tributes to the late queen in Windsor.
(Photos: Reuters)
The state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II will take place on Monday Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey in London, reports AP.
In Pics: From left, Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Zara Tindall, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and Peter Phillips walk with other members of the family to thank well-wishers, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, outside the gates of Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.
(Photos: Reuters)
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch passed away at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday (September 8). While the plan of action following her death was carefully laid out, there is uncertainty over the fate of her cherished dogs: the famous corgis.
An enduring symbol of her legacy, the corgi breed has come to be associated with Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year-long reign. She had a lifelong love for her pet corgis, who accompanied her during vacations and official events in Buckingham Palace, her honeymoon, and even featured in her official photos and portraits. Fed gourmet meals of rabbit, steak and vegetables made by royal chefs, the corgis were even given their own stockings on Christmas by the Queen, filled with toys and doggy treats. Read our explainer here
Never, perhaps, has an heir been more ready for the crown. Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and a man born to be king, acceded to the throne Thursday after being the designated successor for longer than anyone in the history of the British monarchy. As King Charles III, he will become sovereign of the world’s most important constitutional monarchy, head of the most storied royal family and a symbol of continuity in a storm-tossed country.
Having aged from an awkward, self-doubting young man into an unhappy middle-aged husband, Charles has become, at 73, a self-assured, gray-haired eminence, steeped in causes like climate change and environmental protection, which were once quirky but now seem peculiarly in sync with the times. Read More
King Charles III on Saturday signed the declaration which officially made him the new British Monarch using ink from a silver pot gifted to him by his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
King Charles was on Saturday proclaimed Britain's new monarch in a historic ceremony of the Accession Council. He was joined by his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, and his son and heir Prince William - the new Prince of Wales, who added their signatures to the formal proclamation documents.
During the meeting, which was televised for the first time in history, Charles had to sign two copies of the declaration. He did so using a fountain pen with black ink from a small silver pot. Camilla and William also used the pot when they signed the documents, the Mirror newspaper reported. (PTI)
Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama has written to King Charles III to offer his congratulations on his accession to the throne.
In his message, the Dalai Lama said, "I am confident that you will fulfil this great responsibility with kindness and affection, dedicated to the service of others." "Since I have the honour of counting Your Majesty as a dear and respected friend, it is a joy for me to see your being proclaimed King of the United Kingdom," he said.
"I wish you every success in meeting whatever challenges lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the British people, and contributing to the creation of a more peaceful world," he concluded. (PTI)
British prime minister and senior lawmakers took an oath to King Charles III in the House of Commons, AP reported.
Following the passing of his mother Queen Elizabeth II at 96, King Charles III made his first address to the nation on Friday and paid tribute to his “darling wife’ Camilla. “I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla. In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort,” he said.
King Charles III, who was officially proclaimed as Britain’s new monarch on Saturday, added: “I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.” Read More
The Clarenceux King of Arms (a London officer of arms) read the second official proclamation in London's Royal Exchange. As he proclaimed, he said 'God Saved the King,' and trumpeters sounded a royal salute. This marks the last ceremony in London.
A second Proclamation to declare Charles as the monarch has begun at the Royal Exchange in London. Watch here,
After the Council proceedings inside St.James's Palace, a royal official publically proclaimed King Charles III as Britain’s new monarch. The public was allowed to attend this ceremony.
David White, the Garter King of Arms, read the proclamation from a balcony at the London royal residence flanked by trumpeters in gold-trimmed robes. Gun salutes rang out in Hyde Park, at the Tower of London, and at military sites around the UK as the proclamation was made. Scarlet-robed soldiers in the palace courtyard presented arms and doffed their bearskin hats in a royal salute. With trumpeters playing 'God Save the King' the ceremony was concluded.
-With AP inputs.
King Charles III has declared that the day of his mother's funeral will be a public holiday. Charles approved the decision during his formal accession ceremony on Saturday.The date of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral has not been announced but is expected to be around Sept 19.
This will be the second extra public holiday for Britons this year - a holiday was declared in early June for celebrations to mark Elizabeth's platinum jubilee, for 70 years on the throne. (AP)
With the official gun salute and trumpets playing 'God Save the King,' the official ceremony at St James's Palace has concluded.
After the Garter King of Arms read the official proclamation of Charles as official King, God Save the King was played.
King Charles, Britain's new monarch, on Saturday approved a Bank Holiday for the state funeral of his mother Queen Elizabeth. (Reuters)
After King Charles's official address, Penny Mordaunt read the authorising of the proclamation, and oath, and King approved them.
"I am deeply aware of the inheritance and the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which is now passed to me. In taking up these responsibilities I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in according TO THE constitutional govt and seek, peace, harmony and prosperity of the people," he said.
"My mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service. My mother's reign was unequalled in its duration, dedication and devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life. I am deeply aware of this deep inheritance and of the grave duties and responsibilities which are now passed to me," King Charles said.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, former Prime Ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and Boris Johnson attended the Accession Council ceremony at St James's Palace, London, London, Saturday, where King Charles III was formally proclaimed monarch.
(AP Photo)
King Charles III was proclaimed Britain's new monarch in a historic ceremony of the Accession Council that was televised for the first time in history.
King Charles III will be officially proclaimed Britain’s monarch on Saturday in a ceremony steeped in ancient tradition and political symbolism — and, for the first time, broadcast live.
Charles automatically became king when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died on Thursday, but the accession ceremony is a key constitutional and ceremonial step in introducing the new monarch to the country.
The ceremony at St. James’s Palace, a royal residence in London, is attended by the Accession Council, senior politicians and officials who advise the monarch. They will meet without Charles to proclaim him sovereign — officially confirming his title, King Charles III — before the king joins them to make a series of oaths and declarations. (AP)
Several monuments across the world, including the Sydney Opera House and Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, were lit up in honour of Britain's longest-ruling monarch. More photos here.
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, breathed her last on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Following her death, social media became abuzz with demands for Kohinoor’s return to India. Meaning ‘Mountain of Light’, Kohinoor is a 105.6-carat colourless diamond which is believed to have been first mined in the 13th century, near Guntur in Andhra Pradesh by the Kakatiya dynasty.
Over the years, the jewel got passed on to the Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji and then to the Mughal empire following which Persian invader Nadir Shah took it to Afghanistan. It passed through different dynasties before reaching Ranjit Singh, the Sikh Maharaja of Punjab, in 1809. With Singh’s successor losing the kingdom to the British, the Kohinoor was ceded to Queen Victoria during the colonial rule. (Read more)
Every week for the last 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II held a private audience with her prime ministers. The meeting was not an obligation but rather a courtesy extended by both parties. The prime minister used the time to bring the Queen up to speed on matters of governance, and the Queen in turn shared her advice, bolstered by experience and a keen knowledge of British history.
These meetings are believed to have lasted around 30 minutes and were conducted in the Private Audience Room, located on the first floor of Buckingham Palace. They were also private and are not recorded, leading to much speculation over what transpired during them. (Read more)
The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, which is usually decked in glittering lights at night, was turned off on Friday as a mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Thursday.
When she was crowned in 1952, it was already an outstanding event. News arrived that Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay had climbed Mount Everest. There were wishes expressed that given her name, perhaps a second Elizabethan Age — comparable to the first one (around the 16th century) — would be her great contribution. Back then, it looked like just a pious wish. Today, without a doubt, we can say that Queen Elizabeth II — who died at the age of 96 after a record 70 years on the throne, celebrated just recently in a spectacular ceremony — did rule over an efflorescence of British art, culture, literature, music, theatre that no one could have predicted.
Elizabeth was a Queen by accident. Her father was never the Prince of Wales. It was the abdication of Edward VII, swearing love for Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee, that propelled his younger brother into the Royal seat. George VI, a shy, stuttering son of George V (1911-1936) came to the throne. Married to a “commoner” (also called Elizabeth) he had two daughters — Elizabeth and Margaret. In her second decade, Elizabeth, the daughter of George and Elizabeth, had to prepare to succeed her father. (Read more)
Japan's Emperor Naruhito plans to attend the funeral of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, while Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may also attend, Japanese media said.
It would be Naruhito's first overseas trip since acceding to the throne in May 2019. Empress Masako has also expressed a wish to attend, and the Japanese government is arranging their trip, NTV, TBS and other media said on Friday, citing government sources. (Reuters)
If the British monarchy has survived into the 21st century, that has a lot to do with the manner in which Queen Elizabeth II carried the crown. It was a manner singularly free of the turbulence that surrounded the late Queen’s seven decades on the throne. The basic reason is that from her tutor at Eton who groomed her to become the symbol of her nation, she learned well the distinction that the 19th century British political scientist, Walter Bagehot, had drawn between a British monarch’s “dignified” and “efficient” duties.
Had she deviated from that distinction and allowed the crown to get caught in a swirl of controversy, it is doubtful that King Charles III would so smoothly be stepping into the succession.
Queen Elizabeth was not destined to be Queen or Empress. It was an Empire that was marked by history to fade away before she had quite completed a decade on the throne. (Read former minister Mani Shankar Aiyar's column here)
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II is a delicate moment for the British Commonwealth, 14 countries out of which continue to recognise the monarch as their Head of State, a position that is explicitly stated in the constitutions and laws of some of these countries. In these cases, changes to the law or statute might be required and could trigger calls for a referendum in jurisdictions where there is significant opposition to the current situation. Jamaica is one example, and it could well follow its regional neighbour Barbados, which left the Commonwealth after becoming a republic in 2021.
Developed countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are constitutional monarchies, and their political systems are oriented in a way that the new monarch of the United Kingdom will as part of the usual process become their head of state. However, in June, Australia’s new government headed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appointed Matt Thistlewaite as the country’s first minister tasked with overseeing a transition to a republic, which triggered talk that a referendum to remove the Queen as head of state could follow. (Read more)
Documents accessed from the National Archives show that in March 1952, just a month after the Queen had succeeded her father King George VI, the Indian government issued an order that the Union Jack — the national flag of the United Kingdom — should be flown alongside the Indian national flag on government buildings in New Delhi to mark her birthday.
While the government’s first order (March 31, 1952) said the Queen’s birthday was on June 5, the third order (April 4, 1953) mentioned the date June 11. In fact, neither of these dates is her birthday. The Queen was born on April 21, 1926.
The confusion arises because until 1959, the Queen celebrated her birthday not on any specific date, but on the second Thursday of June — and therefore, the date varied every year. This practice was the same as the one her father followed — during the period he occupied the throne, King George VI also celebrated his official birthday on the second Thursday of June. (Read more)
Queen Elizabeth II, the head of state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Britain’s longest serving monarch died at the age of 96 on Thursday (September 8), after holding the throne for nearly 70 years.
After her father, King George VI died in 1952, Elizabeth ascended to the throne five years after India attained independence from colonial rule, becoming the first British ruler to take the throne after the empire lost its ‘jewel in the crown’. During her reign she undertook three state visits to India, in 1961, 1983, and 1997.
Read stories of her visits here.
Earlier this year, Queen Elizabeth issued a letter that was seen as a major moment of recognition for a long beleaguered member of the royal family, intended to smooth the path for her ascent when the inevitable finally came.
In a statement marking her 70 years on the throne, the queen laid out how her daughter-in-law Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and wife of Prince Charles, should become the Queen Consort when Charles, “in the fullness of time,” ascended the throne. Elizabeth also asked the nation to pass on the goodwill it had long shown her to the woman who would bear the title of queen.
So when Elizabeth died Thursday at 96, there was no question that as her eldest son became King Charles III, his wife would become Queen Consort — a title indicating she is the spouse of the reigning king. (Read more)
In happier times, Harry and his grandmother enjoyed a close, playful rapport, glimpsed by the wider public in 2016 when they appeared together in a comic video, reacting to a mic drop taunt from Barack and Michelle Obama ahead of the Invictus Games, a competition for disabled veterans which Harry has promoted.
But it was pure coincidence that Harry was in Britain when Elizabeth died, and prior to her demise there were no plans announced for him to see his family during his visit from the United States, where he lives with his American wife Meghan.
How the royals deal with Harry, Meghan and their children will be a key theme of the post-Elizabeth era — one of the family dramas that have made the House of Windsor an enduring object of global fascination.
With the matriarch gone, family dynamics are bound to evolve, and as the pomp and ceremony of Elizabeth’s funeral unfold observers will be watching closely for signs of detente. (Read more)
Queen’s Elizabeth II’s death after 70 years on the throne was announced first on Twitter — from the Royal Family’s own account.
A tweet stating the long-serving monarch had “died peacefully at Balmoral” was posted by @RoyalFamily at 6.30 p.m. local time, two minutes ahead of the BBC’s own announcement on the platform.
That Twitter was chosen as the initial vector for the news shows how much the family’s approach to communication has morphed, especially in the latter years of the Queen’s reign. Known for their use of pomp and ceremony to reinforce the power of the monarchy, the Windsors have become savvy users of social media, with King Charles III and his wife Camilla, who is expected to take on the title of Queen Consort, regulars on Twitter and Facebook. (Read more)
US President Joe Biden has said that he would attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
“Yes. I do not know what the details are yet, but I will be going,” Biden told reporters at the Columbus International Airport in Ohio on Friday.
He was responding to a question of whether he will be going to the Queen's funeral. In response to another question, the president said he has not spoken to King Charles III yet. “I know him. I have not spoken to him yet,” he added. (PTI)
There are 29 billion British coins in circulation with Queen Elizabeth II’s face on them. Since she first appeared on the coins, a year after her ascension in 1952, the Royal Mint has used five different portraits. And on all of them, she faces to the right.
Now it’s King Charles III’s turn to be on the coins, but he’ll most likely be facing the other direction. (Read more)
Britain’s King Charles Friday bestowed on his eldest son William and daughter-in-law Kate the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales, which he and his late wife Diana previously held.
Diana was a hugely popular figure who was under constant media scrutiny from her wedding onwards and the subject of a massive outpouring of grief when she died aged 36 in a car crash in 1997, five years after she and Charles separated.
A royal source said Kate appreciated the history associated with the title but would seek to create her own path as Princess of Wales. (Read more)
In accordance with the rules of succession, this is the line of British monarchs after King Charles III.
King Charles will be officially proclaimed Britain’s new monarch at a meeting of the Accession Council at St James’s Palace on Saturday, Buckingham Palace said.
The 0900 GMT Council meeting, which has two parts, proclaims the new sovereign and see the King sign an oath to uphold the security of the Church in Scotland.
Following the meeting, there will be the Principal Proclamation at 1000 GMT from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’s Palace, with other announcements of the new monarch made across the United Kingdom and in the City of London. (Read more)
As the United Kingdom mourns a beloved queen, the nation is already wondering how King Charles III will reign and whether his monarchy will depart from the traditions of his mother.
If his first full day on the throne is any indication, Charles seemed ready to chart at least a slightly different course.
When Charles travelled to Buckingham Palace for the first time as the new king Friday, his limousine snaked through a sea of spectators then stopped short of the palace gates before he got out and shook hands with well-wishers. (AP)
Queen Elizabeth was a “life well lived”, her son and successor Charles said on Friday in his maiden televised address as King to a grieving nation as he vowed to carry on his “darling mama’s” lifelong service to the UK and beyond.
Sitting next to a photograph of his mother and wearing a black suit and tie, King Charles III said the “affection, admiration and respect” the Queen inspired “became the hallmark of her reign”.
He thanked his “darling mama” for her “love, affection, guidance and example”, as he expressed gratitude to the country’s longest-serving monarch for her 70 years of service and spoke of the “profound grief” that had gripped the royal family and the nation with her passing away. (PTI)
"To my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late papa, I want to simply say this, thank you.
Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years.
May flights of angels sing to thy rest," King Charles said as he concludes his address.
King Charles said that their values have remained and will remain constant after the death of Queen Elizabeth. He also said the duties of the monarch also remains .
King Charles III in his first address to Britain said that Queen Elizabeth made a lot of sacrifices to perform her duty. He said her dedication never changed through time. He also said the nation flourished under her regime through all the challenges.
King Charles, who reached Buckingham Palace hours ago as the King for the first time, will address Britain shortly. UK Prime Minister Li z Truss had met him at the Palace. Charles was at the Queen’s bedside as she breathed her last at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II is a delicate moment for the British Commonwealth, 14 countries out of which continue to recognise the monarch as their Head of State, a position that is explicitly stated in the constitutions and laws of some of these countries. In these cases, changes to the law or statute might be required and could trigger calls for a referendum in jurisdictions where there is significant opposition to the current situation. Jamaica is one example, and it could well follow its regional neighbour Barbados, which left the Commonwealth after becoming a republic in 2021.
Developed countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are constitutional monarchies, and their political systems are oriented in a way that the new monarch of the United Kingdom will as part of the usual process become their head of state. However, in June, Australia’s new government headed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appointed Matt Thistlewaite as the country’s first minister tasked with overseeing a transition to a republic, which triggered talk that a referendum to remove the Queen as head of state could follow. Read our explainer here
Mourners are beginning to gather outside London's St Paul's Cathedral ahead of the service prayer to remember Queen Elizabeth. According to a report by The Guardian, members of the royal family are not expected to attend tonight's service but prime minister Liz Truss will be present.
(Reuters)
With the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, the throne has passed on to her eldest son, Prince Charles, who will now be known as King Charles III. The new King will address the people of the UK at 6 pm BST on Friday, September 9 (10.30 pm in India).
Charles had been declared the heir apparent — the one who would succeed to the throne — when he was three years old, when his mother became Queen at the age of 25. The new monarch has been a visible global figure for decades now. Read More
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has arrived at Buckingham Palace for an audience with King Charles III, reports AP.
Just before boarding a flight at Aberdeen on Friday, the morning after the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry put his arm around the shoulder of an airport worker who had expressed her sympathy while accompanying him across the tarmac.
It was a moment of warmth and informality characteristic of Harry, whose approachable persona long made him one of the most popular royals - until his decision to step back from royal duties caused a breach in the family that is far from resolved.
Harry was the last to arrive at Balmoral Castle on Thursday, as the queen's closest relatives rushed to be with her in her final hours, and the first to depart on Friday, reflecting the fact that he is no longer part of the family's inner circle.
In happier times, Harry and his grandmother enjoyed a close, playful rapport, glimpsed by the wider public in 2016 when they appeared together in a comic video, reacting to a mic drop taunt from Barack and Michelle Obama ahead of the Invictus Games, a competition for disabled veterans which Harry has promoted. (Reuters)
Queen Elizabeth II‘s love for animals — particularly dogs — has always been known, considering the many photographs of hers available in the public domain that suggest the same. But, now that she has passed away, what will happen to her four-legged friends who have stayed by her side and kept her company for many years?
According to Country Living, the queen — who was the longest-serving British monarch — had four dogs at the time of her death: two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, a Dorgi (Corgi-Dachshund mix), and a Cocker Spaniel named Lissy, who joined the family only this year, in January 2022. Read More
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, breathed her last on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Following her death, social media became abuzz with demands for Kohinoor’s return to India. Meaning ‘Mountain of Light’, Kohinoor is a 105.6-carat colourless diamond which is believed to have been first mined in the 13th century, near Guntur in Andhra Pradesh by the Kakatiya dynasty.
Over the years, the jewel got passed on to the Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji and then to the Mughal empire following which Persian invader Nadir Shah took it to Afghanistan. It passed through different dynasties before reaching Ranjit Singh, the Sikh Maharaja of Punjab, in 1809. With Singh’s successor losing the kingdom to the British, the Kohinoor was ceded to Queen Victoria during the colonial rule. Read More
Britain's new monarch King Charles shook hands with members of the public outside Buckingham Palace on Friday, stopping to get out of his car while arriving at Buckingham Palace following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth on Thursday.
Charles and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, stepped out of the royal car to huge cheers from a crowd gathered outside the palace, television footage showed. (Reuters)