Bharatpedia

Death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II


Elizabeth II, the Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, the longest-living and longest-reigning British monarch, died at the age of 96 on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The official announcement came at 18:30 BST. Earlier in the day, doctors reported that her health had been deteriorating rapidly and placed her under medical supervision.[1]

Death of Elizabeth II
Balmoral Castle.jpg
Balmoral Castle (pictured in 2004), where Elizabeth II died
Date8 September 2022 (2022-09-08)
LocationBalmoral Castle, Scotland
Coordinates57°2′27″N 3°13′48″W / 57.04083°N 3.23000°W / 57.04083; -3.23000

Elizabeth's death set in motion Operation London Bridge, a collection of plans in response to her death.

BackgroundEdit

After being in good health for most of her elderly life, the Queen's health started to deteriorate after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in April 2021. In October, she began using a walking stick during public engagements[2] and following an overnight stay in hospital on 20 October, visits to Northern Ireland,[3] the COP26 summit in Glasgow,[4] and the 2021 National Service of Remembrance were cancelled on health grounds,[5] including a sprained back.[6]

In February 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic in England, the Queen was one of several people at Windsor Castle to test positive for COVID-19.[7][8] Her symptoms were described as mild and cold-like, with the Queen later commenting that the disease "does leave one very tired and exhausted".[9][10] Given the health impacts of COVID-19 and long COVID are known to be more severe among older people,[11][12] there were concerns for the Queen's health at the time;[13][14] however, she was reportedly feeling well enough to resume her official duties by 1 March.[15][16]

The Queen was present at the service of thanksgiving for Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey on 29 March,[17] but was unable to attend the annual Commonwealth Day service that month[18] or the Royal Maundy Service in April.[19] She missed the State Opening of Parliament in May for the first time in 59 years (she did not attend in 1959 and 1963 as she was pregnant with Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, respectively).[20] In her absence, Parliament was opened by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge as Counsellors of State.[21] The Prince of Wales, the heir apparent, gained more official responsibilities towards the end of the Queen's life[22] and stood in for her at the State Opening of Parliament.[23]

In June, the Queen did not attend a church service for her Platinum Jubilee; official sources mentioned her "discomfort" after standing during the military parade celebrating her official birthday on the first day of celebrations.[24] During the celebrations, the Queen was largely confined to balcony appearances, and she missed the National Service of Thanksgiving.[25]

On 6 September, two days before her death, the Queen accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson and appointed Liz Truss to succeed him as Prime Minister at Balmoral Castle (where the Queen was on holiday) in a break with tradition; this was usually done at Buckingham Palace.[26] On 7 September she was scheduled to attend an online meeting of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom to swear in new ministers in Truss's government, but it was announced that the meeting had been postponed after she was advised to rest by doctors.[27]

TimelineEdit

 
Notice of Elizabeth II's death posted at Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh

At approximately 12:30 BST on 8 September 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen was under medical supervision at Balmoral Castle after doctors expressed concern. The statement read:

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 Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.[28][29]

The Queen's four children along with her daughters-in-law, and Prince William and Prince Harry, travelled to Balmoral.[30][31]

At around 14:00, the BBC suspended the schedule for BBC One to continuously cover the Queen's condition, with all BBC news journalists and broadcasters dressed in black. Special reports about her condition were run on other main television channels in the United Kingdom: ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.[32] At 15:07, a BBC correspondent, Yalda Hakim, prematurely tweeted, in advance of any formal announcement, that the Queen had died; she later withdrew the tweet.[33]

At 16:30, Prime Minister Liz Truss was informed of the Queen's death by cabinet secretary Simon Case.[34][35]

At around 17:00, members of the royal family who had flown from RAF Northolt to Scotland arrived at Balmoral, including Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex.[34]

The royal family's official Twitter account announced her death in a tweet timestamped 18:30 BST, stating:

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.[36][37]

British television announcements of the Queen's death came shortly after, and included the aforementioned statement being read verbatim by news presenter Huw Edwards during a live broadcast across all BBC television channels after which the national anthem was played.[38]

The Queen died with two of her children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, at her bedside.[39]

SuccessionEdit

 
Charles III, then Prince of Wales, in 2017

Upon the Queen's death, her eldest son Charles, Prince of Wales, immediately acceded to the throne as King of the United Kingdom and fourteen other Commonwealth realms.[1][40]

There had long been speculation regarding what regnal name the former Prince of Wales would take upon succeeding his mother. During her formal televised address outside 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Truss made the first de facto authoritative announcement concerning the King's regnal name when she stated:[41]

Today the Crown passes – as it has done for more than a thousand years – to our new monarch, our new head of state: His Majesty King Charles III.

Clarence House confirmed the new King would be known as Charles III shortly after the Prime Minister's address. Buckingham Palace released the King's first official statement as monarch at 19:04 BST:[42]

The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

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 this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.

The Accession Council is expected to assemble on 10 September at St James's Palace to formally proclaim the accession of the new king. Although about seven hundred are eligible to attend this ceremony, due to the short notice the actual turnout is expected to be much lower. In addition to other formalities, the Council is expected de jure to confirm Charles III as the King's regnal name.

No date has been announced for the King and Queen Consort's coronation.[37]

FuneralEdit

Details about the state funeral have not yet been announced; however, it is expected to take place twelve days after her death.[43]

ReactionsEdit

Main article: Reactions to the death of Elizabeth II

In accordance with the protocol implemented after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Union flag at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast.[44] It also flew at half-mast at 10 Downing Street and Balmoral Castle.[45][46] Because the new monarch was already at Balmoral Castle when he became King, the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom was lowered and raised again at the castle following his mother's death. The Royal Standard was also lowered to half-mast at the Palace of Holyroodhouse,[45] while the Welsh flag at Cardiff Castle was lowered as well.[47] On 9 September, bells will be tolling at Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and Windsor Castle, and a 96-gun salute will take place in Cardiff.[48]

Hundreds of people were gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace in London at the time of the announcement.[49] Many others used social media to post condolences and tributes for her and the British royal family.[50] Floral tributes were later left outside Sandringham House.[51]

Flags at Parliament Hill in Ottawa and the Capitol Building and the White House in Washington, D.C. were flown at half-mast in her honour.[52][53] The Empire State Building in New York City illuminated in purple and silver, the Eiffel Tower in Paris went dark at midnight, and the Union flag was displayed at the Tel Aviv City Hall as a tribute.[54]

The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, Nottingham Council House, and the County Hall in Matlock illuminated in the royal[55] and funerary[56] colour purple in memory of the Queen.[57][58][59] The National Memorial Arboretum set up books of condolence and announced tributes would be paid to the Queen at a special reading at Millennium Chapel.[60] St Laurence's Church in Ludlow and Shrewsbury Abbey are due to hold memorial services.[61]

All sporting events in the UK scheduled through the weekend are expected to be postponed.[62] The Last Night of the Proms and the Mercury Prize were among the events that were called off, while the Royal Opera House announced that they would not go on with the opening night of one of their new productions and will not be operating on the day of the state funeral.[63] Several unions responsible for organising the strikes by postal workers and rail staff announced that they would postpone their actions "out of respect for her service to the country and her family".[64]

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace announces". BBC News. 8 September 2022. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  2. ↑ Murray, Jessica (12 October 2021). "Queen seen using walking stick for first time in 20 years". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  3. ↑ Taylor, Harry (21 October 2021), "The Queen spent night in hospital after cancelling Northern Ireland visit", The Guardian, archived from the original on 25 February 2022, retrieved 8 September 2022
  4. ↑ Lee, Joseph (26 October 2021), "Queen will not attend COP26 climate change summit", BBC News, archived from the original on 1 February 2022, retrieved 8 September 2022
  5. ↑ Becky Morton (14 November 2021), "The Queen to miss Remembrance Sunday service", BBC News, archived from the original on 9 March 2022, retrieved 8 September 2022
  6. ↑ The Associated Press (14 November 2021). "Sprained back forces Queen Elizabeth to miss remembrance event for Britain's war dead". NPR. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  7. ↑ Lee, Dulcie; Durbin, Adam (20 February 2022). "The Queen tests positive for Covid". BBC News.
  8. ↑ News Wires (20 February 2022). "Britain's Queen Elizabeth catches 'mild' Covid-19". France 24.
  9. ↑ Couzens, Jo (10 April 2022). "Queen reveals Covid left her 'very tired and exhausted'". BBC News.
  10. ↑ "Queen Elizabeth says COVID left "one very tired and exhausted"". Reuters. 11 April 2022.
  11. ↑ Ken Cohen; et al. (2022). "Risk of persistent and new clinical sequelae among adults aged 65 years and older during the post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection: retrospective cohort study". The BMJ. 376: e068414. doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-068414. PMC 8828141. PMID 35140117.
  12. ↑ Ellen J. Thompson; et al. (28 June 2022). "Long COVID burden and risk factors in 10 UK longitudinal studies and electronic health records". Nature. 13 (1): 3528. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-30836-0. PMC 9240035. PMID 35764621.
  13. ↑ "Who would take over from the Queen if she could not perform her duties?". ABC News (Australia). 13 February 2022.
  14. ↑ Quinn, Ben (21 February 2022). "Covid antivirals an option for the Queen under care of medical household". The Guardian.
  15. ↑ Kirkpatrick, Emily (1 March 2022). "Queen Elizabeth Recovers From COVID and Spends Some Time With Her Grandchildren". Vanity Fair.
  16. ↑ Kwai, Isabella (1 March 2022). "Queen Elizabeth resumes work 9 days after a positive coronavirus test". The New York Times.
  17. ↑ Lauren, Turner (29 March 2022), "Queen attends Prince Philip memorial service at Westminster Abbey", BBC News, archived from the original on 6 June 2022, retrieved 5 April 2022
  18. ↑ Thompson, Eliza (14 March 2022), "Prince Charles Fills in for Queen Elizabeth II at Commonwealth Day Service Alongside Prince William", Us Weekly, archived from the original on 14 March 2022, retrieved 14 March 2022
  19. ↑ Adams, Charley (14 April 2022), "Prince Charles stands in for Queen at Maundy Service", BBC News, archived from the original on 6 June 2022, retrieved 8 September 2022
  20. ↑ "Queen to miss State Opening of Parliament – Prince of Wales to read speech instead", Sky News, 9 May 2022, archived from the original on 11 June 2022, retrieved 8 September 2022
  21. ↑ Furness, Hannah (10 May 2022), "Queen's Speech: Why Prince William is attending State Opening of Parliament", The Telegraph, archived from the original on 12 June 2022, retrieved 8 September 2022
  22. ↑ Duffy, Nick (3 July 2022). "Queen's official duties trimmed down as power shifts to Prince Charles". i. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  23. ↑ Landler, Mark (9 May 2022). "Queen Elizabeth to Miss Opening of Parliament". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  24. ↑ Landler, Mark (2 June 2022). "Queen Elizabeth will skip Friday's church service after 'discomfort' during the jubilee's first day". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  25. ↑ Furness, Hannah (2 June 2022), "The Queen to miss service of thanksgiving after suffering discomfort", The Telegraph, archived from the original on 27 June 2022, retrieved 8 September 2022
  26. ↑ Bubola, Emma (6 September 2022). "The queen will meet the new prime minister at Balmoral Castle in Scotland". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  27. ↑ "Queen postpones senior ministers meeting to rest". BBC News. 7 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  28. ↑ "Queen's doctors concerned for her health – palace". BBC News. 8 September 2022. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  29. ↑ Davies, Caroline (8 September 2022). "Queen under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors' concerns". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  30. ↑ "Queen under medical supervision as doctors are concerned for her health. Prince Charles, Camilla and Prince William are currently travelling to Balmoral, Clarence House and Kensington Palace said". Sky News. 8 September 2022. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  31. ↑ Shaw, Neil (8 September 2022). "Duke of York, Princess Anne and Prince Edward all called to Queen's side". Plymouth Live. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  32. ↑ Whittock, Jesse (8 September 2022). "BBC Suspends Schedule As Concerns Grow Over Queen's Health; UK Broadcasters Cut Into Programs To Relay News". Deadline. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  33. ↑ Cost, Ben (8 September 2022). "BBC correspondent falsely reported queen died, shocking Twitter". New York Post. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Quinn, Ben (8 September 2022). "Queen Elizabeth dies: key moments from a dramatic day". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  35. ↑ "Politicians pay tribute to Queen's warmth and wisdom". BBC News. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  36. ↑ "Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace announces". BBC News. 8 September 2022. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Hallemann, Caroline (8 September 2022). "Queen Elizabeth, the Longest-Reigning British Monarch in History, Has Died". Town & Country. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  38. ↑ Sweney, Mark; Waterson, Jim (8 September 2022). "BBC One announces Queen's death and plays national anthem". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  39. ↑ "Queen Elizabeth death: Charles and Anne at her bedside; Andrew, Edward, William all rushed to be with her". The New Zealand Herald. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  40. ↑ "Charles is the new King". BBC News. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  41. ↑ "In full: Prime Minister Liz Truss pays tribute to Queen". BBC. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  42. ↑ Busari, Stephanie (8 September 2022). "How the royal family announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II". CNN. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  43. ↑ "The Queen's funeral: what we can expect over the next 10 days". The Guardian. 8 September 2022. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  44. ↑ "UK and world react to death of Queen Elizabeth II". BBC News. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "Queen Elizabeth II: Flags lowered as Queen's death announced". BBC. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  46. ↑ "Balmoral Castle flies union jack at half-mast following death of Queen Elizabeth II". The Independent. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  47. ↑ "Queen Elizabeth II death: Cardiff Castle flag lowered". BBC. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  48. ↑ "Queen Elizabeth II: Gun salute tribute set for Cardiff". BBC. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  49. ↑ Rhoden-Paul, Andre (9 September 2022). "Queen Elizabeth II: The moment the Buckingham Palace crowds learned the news". BBC. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  50. ↑ Reichard, Ryan (8 September 2022). "Late Queen Elizabeth II Mourned on Social Media: See Twitter Reactions to Her Majesty's Death". PopCrush. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  51. ↑ Issimdar, Mariam; McMenemy, Rachael (8 September 2022). "Queen Elizabeth II: Floral tributes left outside Sandringham". BBC. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  52. ↑ @DanTaekema (8 September 2022). "The flag at the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill is now flying at half-mast to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  53. ↑ Wang, Amy (8 September 2022). "Pelosi orders Capitol flags to be flown at half-staff after queen's death". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  54. ↑ "Eiffel Tower Goes Dark, Empire State Building Glitters Purple and Silver, White House Flag at Half-mast: How World Monuments are Paying Tribute to the Queen". News18.com. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  55. ↑ Dunn, Casey (9 October 2013). "The Color of Royalty, Bestowed by Science and Snails". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  56. ↑ "English Funeral and mourning clothing". ox.ac.uk.
  57. ↑ "Royal Pavilion in Brighton lit up in memory of Queen Elizabeth II". www.theargus.co.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  58. ↑ Barnes, Liam (9 September 2022). "Queen Elizabeth II: Nottinghamshire pays tribute to monarch". BBC News. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  59. ↑ Phipps, Amy (9 September 2022). "Queen Elizabeth II: Tributes from across Derbyshire". BBC News. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  60. ↑ "Staffordshire pays tribute after Queen Elizabeth II dies". BBC News. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  61. ↑ "Queen devoted her life 'to the service of her people'". BBC News. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  62. ↑ "Sporting events called off following death of Queen Elizabeth II". BBC. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  63. ↑ Savage, Mark (8 September 2022). "Last Night of the Proms and Mercury Prize called off after the Queen's death". BBC. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  64. ↑ Timmins, Beth (8 September 2022). "Strike action cancelled after the Queen's death". BBC. Retrieved 9 September 2022.

External linksEdit

Template:State funerals in the United Kingdom Template:Elizabeth II

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Death_and_funeral_of_Queen_Elizabeth_II&oldid=401420"