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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.

Kings Guard following Queen Elizabeth II's Coffin at her precession
Kings Guard following Queen Elizabeth II’s Coffin at her precession

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Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee

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Britain celebrated its longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in her Platinum Jubilee year. The 96-year-old queen is being toasted across the nation with four days of events showcasing the best of British pomp and pageantry. It was a four-day extravaganza that consumed Britain. Every minute is covered live on local TV, in daily front-page splashes in tabloid and broadsheet newspapers, and on social media in a frantic manner.

Crowds in London got a glimpse of royal family members on the Buckingham Palace balcony, while others attended the concerts and street parties or simply enjoy the national holiday.

Queens Platinum Jubilee
Queens Platinum Jubilee

The UK had a four-day bank holiday weekend at the beginning of June, for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

Queen Platinum Jubilee schedule:

2nd June 2022, Thursday:

The celebrations kicked off with Trooping the Colour, a military parade in honour of the queen’s official birthday. In the evening, more than 3,200 beacons ignited, reimagining and repurposing the torchlight relays once deployed in England to warn of a possible invasion. The Cambridge kids were extremely visible during the entire Platinum Jubilee weekend, and their first appearance was perhaps the most exciting: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis rode in a carriage during the Queen’s birthday parade. The Cambridge kids sat with their mom, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and their step-grandmother, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and waved to the crowds that packed the Mall. Notably, Prince Louis wore the same sailor suit his dad, Prince William, wore 37 years ago to the Trooping the Colour celebrations.

Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte wave from the carriage procession at Trooping the Colour, June 2, 2022
Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte wave from the carriage procession at Trooping the Colour, June 2, 2022. (Image Souce: KARWAI TANG/GETTY IMAGES)

3rd June 2022, Friday: 

The queen and royal family attended a church service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Queen Victoria marked her Diamond Jubilee here in 1897 with a similar service. When a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed the attendance of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the Platinum Jubilee, there was much speculation surrounding what events they would attend. Ultimately, Meghan and Harry only made one public appearance during the four days of festivities, choosing to attend the National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s. The two watched Trooping the Colour from the Major General’s Office with other non-working members of the British royal family. And while Lili and Archie made no appearances, the Sussexes confirmed their children would be travelling to the UK with them—therefore, the family celebrated Lili’s first birthday in private this weekend.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave St Paul’s Cathedral after attending the National Service of Thanksgiving, June 3, 2022.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave St Paul’s Cathedral after attending the National Service of Thanksgiving, on June 3, 2022. (Image source: WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES)

4th June 2022, Saturday: 

The royal family attended a horse race at Epsom Downs, south of London. The queen, though a keen rider and horse breeder, may miss the event to attend a birthday party for her great-granddaughter Lilibet, daughter of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan. In the evening, a concert featuring Elton John, Diana Ross and Andrea Bocelli took place at Buckingham Palace for an audience of 22,000 people. During the Platinum Party at the Palace, Prince Charles gave a heartfelt speech where he spoke directly to his mother the Queen, thanking her for her service and support. “Your Majesty, Mummy,” he began, “The scale of this evening’s celebration—and the outpouring of warmth and affection over this whole Jubilee weekend—is our way of saying thank you—from your family, the country, the Commonwealth, in fact, the whole world. On behalf of us all, I wanted to pay my tribute to your lifetime of selfless service.”

The Prince of Wales delivers a speech during the BBC Platinum Party at the Palace, June 4, 2022
The Prince of Wales delivers a speech during the BBC Platinum Party at the Palace, on June 4, 2022. (Image Source: WPA POOLGETTY IMAGES)

5th June 2022, Sunday: 

More than 10 million people are expected to take part in “Big Jubilee Lunches” across the nation. The community-organized street parties and barbecues aim to foster neighbourliness, and similar events took place in Canada, Brazil, New Zealand and South Africa. The weekend ended with a People’s Pageant, involving the military and members of the public and led by the queen’s Gold State Coach, alongside a host of celebrities, including singer Ed Sheeran and soccer star David Beckham.

Last but certainly not least, the youngest Cambridge kid deserves a moment of his own for his antics throughout the weekend. From his shenanigans on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour to his dance moves while watching the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, Prince Louis was unstoppable.

Kate and her son, Prince Louis, watching the Jubilee Pageant from the royal box, June 5, 2022.
Kate and her son, Prince Louis, watching the Jubilee Pageant from the royal box, June 5, 2022.

 

People from all over the UK and across the Commonwealth are giving their time and creativity to build this event and celebrate this momentous occasion. Communities across the UK can find a connection to the ‘People’s Pageant’. Britons enjoyed an additional day’s holiday from Thursday to Sunday, while huge street parties happened across the UK.

Travellers from all around the world poured into London to see the spectacle and celebrations unfold and be part of something truly euphoric. Summers are a perfect time for you to book your trip to London. Don’t miss out as the Covid restrictions have been uplifted, it’s a perfect time to make those dream travel plans and book your London tour package with us. Check out some awesome tours we have recently added for you to book. “Click Here” 

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