An official period of state mourning is underway in the UK on Friday, a day after Queen Elizabeth II died, and there has been an outpouring of grief from members of the public who have been laying flowers at royal residences around the country for its longest-reigning monarch. In London, 96 rounds of gun salutes one for every year of the Queen's life have been fired in tribute to the late monarch from the Tower of London and Hyde Park by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company. Churches also tolled their bells, after the Church of England sent out guidance to parishes, chapels and cathedrals across the country encouraging them to open for prayer or special services. Major sporting events, including football and cricket matches, have been postponed as a mark of respect.
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Everybody got the Queen's attention, says Archbishop of Canterbury
The Queen could make anyone she met feel like they were the only person in the room, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said, as he praised the late monarch's unflinching devotion to public service, according to a media report on Friday. Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after reigning for 70 years. She was 96.
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has arrived at Buckingham Palace for an audience with King Charles III.
'The Crown' pauses production because of Queen's death
"The Crown," Netflix's acclaimed series about Queen Elizabeth II and her family, has paused production due to the monarch's death. A spokesperson for the series said production was paused on Friday "as a mark of respect" and will also be suspended on the day of the queen's funeral.
The show is in production on its sixth season. Its first two seasons starred Claire Foy as the young princess Elizabeth ascending to the throne and gradually growing into her role as monarch, and seasons three and four featured Olivia Colman as a more mature queen. The show has gradually moved closer to current events. Netflix recently revealed casting of the actors who are playing Prince William and his wife Kate in the sixth season.
King Charles greets well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace
Britain's King Charles shook hands with dozens of members of the public outside Buckingham Palace on Friday, as emotional well-wishers snapped pictures and greeted the new monarch following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth on Thursday. Charles and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, stepped out of the royal car just outside the gates of Buckingham Palace in an unanticipated gesture as they arrived back in London from Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where the queen died.
The couple, dressed in black, were received by huge cheers and applause from a crowd of hundreds gathered outside the palace, television footage showed. The king proceeded to shake hands with dozens of well-wishers and look at floral tributes to his mother for more than ten minutes. Several members of the public sang "God save the King" and one shouted "Love you Charles!"
'A servant queen': South Africa pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
In South Africa and across the globe, the death of Queen Elizabeth II has prompted reflections on the historic sweep of her reign and how she succeeded in presiding over the end of Britain's colonial empire and embracing the independence of her former dominions. It was in Cape Town, marking her 21st birthday in 1947, that the then Princess Elizabeth pledged that her "whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.
The British empire soon crumbled, but Elizabeth managed to maintain a regal if ceremonial position as the head of the Commonwealth, the 54 nations of mostly previous British colonies. The Queen lived a long and consequential life, fulfilling her pledge to serve until her very last breath at the age of 96, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, said in a statement Friday. She was an exemplary leader of the kind seldom seen in the modern era.
Queen's state funeral to be UK's first since 1965
The Queen's state funeral will be UK's first in more than half a century, with former Prime Minister Winston Churchill being the last head of state to be accorded with this honour in 1965. Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after reigning for 70 years. She was 96.
Unlike Prince Philip, who had a royal ceremonial funeral, the Queen will have a state funeral, which is usually reserved for the sovereign. A state funeral typically begins with the body of the deceased being carried on a gun carriage, which is drawn by sailors from the Royal Navy, as part of a military procession, according to The Independent newspaper.
The body is taken from a private resting chapel to Westminster Hall in the House of Parliament, it said. This is followed by another procession to the Westminster Abbey or St Paul's Cathedral, depending on where the service is, the report said.
Some Russians mourn Queen Elizabeth with flowers as Kremlin pays respects
The Kremlin paid respectful tribute to Queen Elizabeth on Friday and dozens of Russians laid flowers at the British embassy, despite the dire state of relations between London and Moscow. "Despite what is going on now, the Queen and the royal house have always been the personification of peace and goodness," said Muscovite Anton Avramets after placing a pink bouquet alongside many others on a wall outside the embassy. His wife Karina said: "She was one of the strongest leaders of Western countries, and now it's a shame the world has lost her."
King Charles to be officially proclaimed new monarch on Saturday
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.
Church bells toll across the United Kingdom to honor Queen Elizabeth II.
UK Parliament is holding a special session to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen's death caused 'heartfelt outpouring of grief' around the world: UK PM Truss
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss says the death of Queen Elizabeth II has caused a heartfelt outpouring of grief in Britain and around the world. Truss spoke Friday at the start of a special session of Parliament paying tribute to the queen. Truss called the monarch the nation's greatest diplomat and said her devotion to duty was an example to everyone.
King Charles leaves Balmoral Castle
Britain's King Charles has left Balmoral Castle where he and other members of the Royal Family had gathered following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth, according to a Reuters witness.
Condoling Queen Elizabeth II's death, French President Emmanuel Macron said, "We all feel an emptiness".
Royal mourning to last until 7 days after queen's funeral
Buckingham Palace on Friday announced that a period of mourning for the Royal Family will be observed from now until seven days after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died at 96 on Thursday in Scotland after reigning for 70 years. The date of the Queen's funeral has not yet been confirmed.
UK declares period of national mourning for Queen Elizabeth
The British government has officially declared the start of a period of national mourning for Queen Elizabeth, while publishing 'national mourning guidance'. The document, which carried guidance on flying flags, information on travel, and other business and public services, stated that the mourning will continue until the end of the day of the state funeral.
India to observe one-day State Mourning this Sunday
The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced one-day State Mourning on September 11 in the wake of demise of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
Australian republicans offer condolences for Queen but call for debate
Australians mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth, but republicans also revived a debate on ending the country's association with the 1,000-year-old monarchy. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have spoken in support of moving toward a republic. But on Friday, he said: "Today's a day for one issue and one issue only, which is to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II."
Australian Greens Party leader Adam Bandt, a prominent republican, said "Our thoughts are with her family and all who loved her. Now Australia must move forward." He tweeted, "We need Treaty with First Nations people, and we need to become a Republic."
Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth II.
Our thoughts are with her family and all who loved her.
Now Australia must move forward.
We need Treaty with First Nations people, and we need to become a Republic.
The British monarch is the head of state in Australia, among 14 realms outside the UK, although the role is largely ceremonial. Similar debates are occurring in the Caribbean, where Jamaica has signalled it may soon follow Barbados in ditching royal rule. (With inputs from Reuters)
Who's who in the royal family now
Prince Charles will now take over as the king. The new heir-apparent, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge has now received the title of Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay. The two dukedoms were passed onto King Charles III when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, had ascended the throne in 1952. Click here to know about the new titles of Kate Middleton and Prince Harry's children.
VIDEO | Floral bouquets placed outside Balmoral castle as people mourn
Queen Elizabeth II's funeral: When and where to watch in India
As per a plan, the Queen’s funeral would take place 10 days after her passing. That means the funeral is expected to be held on September 18 or 19. The day will start at 9 am (1:30pm IST) when Big Ben will chime with its bell hammer muffled with a leather pad. The Queen's funeral cortege will arrive at the Westminster Abbey at 11 am (3:30 pm IST), reports said.
But where to watch it? Click here to know more.
Xi Jinping sends condolence message to King Charles
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Chinese President Xi Jinping, "On behalf of the Chinese government, the Chinese people and himself, Xi expressed deep condolences over the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and extended sincere sympathies to the royal family, government and people of the UK," News 18 quoted Chinese state media as saying.
Elton John paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at his final concert in Toronto, on Thursday night saying she inspired him and is sad she is gone. "She led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace and decency and genuine caring," he said.
Queen Elizabet | Know some key moments of britains longest monarh
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A look at all the Queen's kingdoms | Queen Elizabeth II was the head of state of 15 counties
Queen Elizabeth was not just the monarch of the United Kingdom, but also of 15 14 Commonwealth countries or realms. At her death, she was head of state of: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and the UK.
As King Charles took over the throne soon after Queen Elizabeth II's demise, politicians and activists from former colonies in the Caribbean have renewed their calls for the removal the monarch as their head of state and for Britain to pay slavery reparations.
"As the role of the monarchy changes, we expect this can be an opportunity to advance discussions of reparations for our region," Niambi Hall-Campbell, a 44-year-old academic who chairs the Bahamas National Reparations Committee, was quoted by Reuters sa syaing.
The Union Jack flag at the British High Commission in Delhi was flown at half-mast following the demise of Queen Elizabeth II. Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said, "Her Majesty lived a life of service, of constancy which inspired and continues to inspire deep respect and affection. On this sad day, I remember what She gave to my country and to so many people around the world."
Queen Elizabeth II's life embodied courage, wisdom & service, says Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
WATCH | Bells of Sydney Town Hall and St Andrew's Cathedral toll 96 times, once for each year of her life
An official period of state mourning is underway in the UK on Friday, a day after Queen Elizabeth II died, and there has been an outpouring of grief from members of the public who have been laying flowers at royal residences around the country for its longest-reigning monarch. In London, 96 rounds of gun salutes one for every year of the Queen's life have been fired in tribute to the late monarch from the Tower of London and Hyde Park by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company. Churches also tolled their bells, after the Church of England sent out guidance to parishes, chapels and cathedrals across the country encouraging them to open for prayer or special services. Major sporting events, including football and cricket matches, have been postponed as a mark of respect.