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Queen Elizabeth II has died at 96 in Balmoral 8 September 2022

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Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.

She died peacefully on Thursday the 8th of September 2022 afternoon at her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer.

The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.

Her son King Charles III said the death of his beloved mother was a “moment of great sadness” for him and his family and that her loss would be “deeply felt” around the world.

He 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 the coming period of mourning, he said he and his family would be “comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held”.

The King and his wife, Camilla, now Queen Consort, will return to London on Friday, Buckingham Palace said. He is expected to address the nation.

Senior royals had gathered at Balmoral after the Queen’s doctors became concerned about her health earlier in the day.

All the Queen’s children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision.

Her grandson and now heir to the throne, Prince William, and his brother, Prince Harry, also gathered there.

The royal family rushed to the Queen’s side

The Queen’s four children were at Balmoral Castle when the announcement was made.

Charles rushed to the Scottish castle earlier on Thursday together with his wife, Camilla. The Queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, known as Princess Royal, was already there.

Prince William, who is now the heir apparent to the throne, arrived at Balmoral Thursday afternoon together with the Queen’s other two sons, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, as well as Edward’s wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.

Prince William and his wife Catherine have taken on the title of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, according to their official Twitter account. Charles and Camilla were previously known by that title. The couple is now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. Catherine remained at Windsor, where their three children attended their first day at a new school.

Prince Harry arrived at Balmoral after the announcement was made. His wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex was not travelling with him.

World leaders and mourners pay tribute

After Thursday’s announcement, a flood of condolences came in from all corners of the globe: world officials, cultural icons and everyday people alike mourned.

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embodied the British nation’s continuity and unity for over 70 years,” said French President Emmanuel Macron. “I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted queen who has left a lasting impression on her country and her century.”

Queen’s Last public appearance

The Queen was last seen in public on 6th September 2022, Tuesday when she formally appointed Liz Truss as the UK’s new prime minister. A photograph from the audience showed the monarch smiling, standing in the drawing room in Balmoral, carrying a walking stick. Liz Truss is the 15th – and the last – British Prime Minister to be appointed by Elizabeth.

There have been concerns over the Queen’s health ever since a brief hospital stay last October 2021. She has experienced episodic mobility issues, which have at times caused her to withdraw from official engagements.

But those concerns grew deeper on Wednesday when Buckingham Palace announced the Queen had postponed a virtual meeting of her Privy Council after being advised by doctors to rest.

On Thursday, the palace announced that the Queen was under medical supervision, but said she was “comfortable” at Balmoral. As her children rushed to her side during the day, it became clear the situation was serious.

Her death comes seven months after the Queen marked the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne. The UK officially celebrated the Queen’s platinum jubilee in June with days of pomp and pageantry and she made several public appearances in London.

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Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey Tour

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And Get to grips with Britain’s royal and political history on this 4-hour exploration tour of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Step inside the famous Gothic abbey, which has been the setting for almost all English coronations since William the Conqueror’s crowning in 1066, along with many other royal occasions including Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. Then gain insights into the British political system with a guided tour of the House of Lords and Houses of Commons inside the Houses of Parliament.

Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey tour Highlights

  • Fully narrated tour
  • Instant Confirmation

Make your own way to Parliament Square, where a bevvy of London’s most famous sights, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, await. Then, meet your guide outside Westminster Abbey and head inside to begin your tour.

Tour Details

Walk along the same aisle that Prince William and Kate Middleton took their first steps on as a married couple, and get up close to the Coronation Chair, where the British Royals have been crowned for hundreds of years. Stroll through the cloisters and see College Garden, thought to be the oldest garden in England, along with the graves of Dickens, Hardy and other famous writers.

After touring the abbey, make the short stroll to the Houses of Parliament, which sits resplendent along the banks of the Thames River. Marvel at the golden spires and statues that stud the building’s grandiose facade, and learn about the much-snapped Elizabeth Tower, which houses the Big Ben bell. Then, continue inside and enjoy a roughly 1.5-hour tour. Take in highlights such as Westminster Hall, Queen’s Robing Room, the Royal Gallery and the Lords Chamber, and gain a fascinating insight into Britain’s modern-day politics.

Your tour then concludes outside the Houses of Parliament, leaving you free to continue sightseeing independently or make your own way back to your accommodation.

Schedule Details

You must book the tour in advance, as the tickets get sold out. The busiest days of the tour are Saturdays. Please click on BUY NOW to know more about the current schedule of the tour.

Departure Point:

Westminster Abbey, central London
Departure Time: 9:15 am
Duration: 4 hours (approx.)
Return Details: Westminster Abbey, central London

Inclusions:

  • Professional guide
  • Entrance fee to Parliament and Westminster Abbey

Exclusions:

  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Transportation
  • Souvenirs

Additional Information:

  • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking

Voucher Info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, is included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 7 days (s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee. And if you cancel between 3 and 6 days (s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 per cent cancellation fee. If you cancel within 2 days (s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 per cent cancellation fee.

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