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King Charles III makes first statement as monarch after death of his mother
King Charles has made a statement about the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.
He said: “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.”
Key events
Tom Jones, the singer, said the Queen had been an “inspiration” throughout his life. Great picture here of Jones chatting to the Queen after the Diamond Jubilee concert in 2012 along with Elton John, Cliff Richard, Shirley Bassey and Paul McCartney.
Queen Elizabeth II was a constant presence and inspiration throughout my life. She was a reassuring force in difficult times, her dedication was faultless and her commitment to duty unrivalled. I am honoured and blessed to have witnessed her reign.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber, the British composer, said she was a “selfless beacon”.
For the whole of my life, the Queen has been the constant anchor of not just Britain and her beloved Commonwealth, but an inspiration to the world for her lifetime of service. Her legacy will be remembered as a selfless beacon for love, understanding and celebration of fellow human beings all over the world, no matter their race or creed. Madeleine and I are deeply saddened by this news, and our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty the Queen’s family.
Amid all the sombre tributes, it’s good to have a few more lighthearted anecdotes about the Queen.
They don’t come much better than this one from a former royal protection officer, Richard Griffin, who recalled a day when he was walking with the Queen on the Balmoral estate and they came across an American tourist who didn’t recognise the Queen. Hilarious consequences ensued …
In Scandinavia, more royals have been paying tribute.
In Norway, King Harald said that for “nearly a century, Her Majesty devoted her life to the service of the Commonwealth, following the British people through good days and bad, in times of happiness and sorrow”.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden called her “a constant presence, not only in British society but internationally”.
From one royal family to another, Spain’s King Felipe VI of the Bourbon dynasty has offered his condolences to King Charles and the grieving Windsors (Saxe-Coburg-Gotha).
Her life “set an example for all of us and will remain as a solid and valuable legacy for future generations”, Felipe said in a telegram sent to her eldest son, now known as King Charles III.
“We will miss Her dearly,” he wrote, speaking for himself and his wife.
More Commonwealth leaders have been talking about the Queen, with Bangladesh’s prime minister Sheikh Hasina offering Britain’s royal family “heartfelt and deep sympathies”.
Bangladesh is a member of the Commonwealth and the queen, who headed the grouping largely made up of former British colonies, visited the country in 1983, just over a decade after it won independence from Pakistan.
Jamaica’s prime minister Andrew Holness said:
We join our brothers and sisters in the Commonwealth in mourning her passing, and pray for the comfort of the members of her family, and the people of the United Kingdom, as they grieve the loss of their beloved Queen and matriarch.
The Queen’s kindness was also remembered at the small James Smith Cree Nation in rural Saskatchewan, which was still reeling from the deadly stabbings that occurred there Sunday.
Betty Ann Adam spoke on behalf of the James Smith Cree Nation.
Queen Elizabeth, the monarch that serves Canada has passed. She wrote a letter to James Smithe Cree Nation on behalf of the Monarch, expressing condolences to the families, the friends, the community and to the rest of the world,” Chief Wally Burns said as he listed the support that has helped to bolster the community, which lost 9 members along with a man from a neighbouring village.
The suspect was captured Wednesday and later died after going into medical distress.
US president Joe Biden said earlier that he had first met the Queen in 1982 as part of a Senate delegation before meeting her as president in 2021.
He has now visited the British embassy in Washington with the first lady Jill Biden to lay flowers in tribute to the late monarch.
UN secretary general pays tribute to ‘grace and dignity’ of Queen
The United Nations general assembly held a minute’s silence for the Queen at its current meeting in New York.
António Guterres, the UN general secretary, said the Queen was admired for her grace and dignity across decades of change, and recalled how the monarch spoke movingly to delegates at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow last year.
As the United Kingdom’s longest-lived and longest-reigning Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II was widely admired for her grace, dignity, and dedication around the world. She was a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth.
Queen Elizabeth II was a good friend of the United Nations, and visited our New York Headquarters twice, more than fifty years apart. She was deeply committed to many charitable and environmental causes and spoke movingly to delegates at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.
I would like to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II for her unwavering, lifelong dedication to serving her people. The world will long remember her devotion and leadership.
Leaders from across the world have also been paying tribute.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said the Queen had enjoyed a “remarkable life”.
Her Majesty was an extraordinary and world-renowned public figure who lived a remarkable life. Her life and legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world. The Queen’s commitment and dedication during her 70 years on the throne remains a noble and virtuous example to the entire world.
Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, said:
The Ghanaian people have very fond memories of the two visits she made to Ghana during her reign, and, on both occasions, we remember the friendliness, elegance, style and sheer joy she brought to the performance of her duties.
Celebrities from the world’s of music and film have paid tribute to the Queen.
Sir Elton John, who performed at the Queen’s Jubilee performance at Buckingham Palace three months ago, said he was deeply saddened to hear the news.
Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing. She was an inspiring presence to be around and led the country through some of our greatest and darkest times with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth. Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.
Sir Paul McCartney said “God bless Queen Elizabeth II. May she rest in peace. Long live The King”, while Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne said: “I mourn with my country the passing of our greatest Queen. With a heavy heart I say it is devastating the thought of England without Queen Elizabeth II.”
Hello. My name is Martin Farrer and I’m taking over the blog from Nadeem.
Crowds have begun to gather outside Buckingham Palace and other royal residences around Britain as the nation gears up for 10 days of mourning.
Despite heavy rain, people massed outside the palace and laid flowers at the gates in scenes reminiscent of the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana almost exactly 25 years ago.
The BBC has announced as a mark of respect to the Queen, it will not be going ahead with Prom 71 on 9 September or the Last Night of the Proms on 10 September.
Sports events in the UK will hold a day of mourning for the Queen on Friday, with the third Test between England and South Africa and the PGA championship at Wentworth among the events to be paused for at least a day as a mark of respect.
All Football League fixtures on Friday and the third day of racing’s St Leger festival at Doncaster have also been called off, while the RFU will announce in the morning whether Bristol v Bath and Sale v Northampton will go ahead.
More than 5,000 miles away in California, expats and Americans alike came together to honour the Queen at a pub.
At Ye Olde Kings Head in Santa Monica, a shrine dedicated to the monarch, featuring candles, roses and pictures, was placed outside.
Duchess of York says she is ‘heartbroken”‘ at Queen’s death
Sarah, Duchess of York, said she was “heartbroken” at the death of the Queen and praised her for “giving her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK and Commonwealth”.
She said: “I will miss her more than words can express.”
I am heartbroken by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: the most fantastic example of duty and service and steadfastness, and a constant steadying presence as our head of state for more than 70 years. pic.twitter.com/3X6Lpy98lr
— Sarah Ferguson (@SarahTheDuchess) September 8, 2022
She has given her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK & the Commonwealth.
To me, she was the most incredible mother-in-law and friend. I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me in remaining close to me even after my divorce.— Sarah Ferguson (@SarahTheDuchess) September 8, 2022
The Eiffel Tower is to switch off its lights at midnight.
The London Eye dimmed its lights at sunset today.
In a statement, the landmark’s Twitter account said: “The London Eye will join with mourners around the world during this period of national remembrance.
“In honour of Her Majesty, we will switch off our lights from sunset this evening.”
UK theatres are also set to dim their lights and observe a minute’s silence, playing the national anthem and opening books of condolence.
While other sights dimmed their lights, New York’s Empire State building lit up in regal purple.
Tonight, our tower lights will shine in purple and sparkle in silver to honor the life and legacy of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/qIpk7lQgbc
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) September 8, 2022
Mourners gather outside Windsor Castle.
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