Our live coverage of the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has moved here.
America turned its eyes to the old country on Thursday, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. When news of her sudden decline broke, television networks broke into programing – almost as if a US President had died. In New York, the US Open tennis tournament and the United Nations held moments of silence to honor her passing. In Washington, flags on official buildings were lowered to half-staff.
During a reign that lasted seven decades, the Queen and the royal family conjured fascination, affection and even some jealousy in a nation that broke away from the throne almost 250 years ago.
She met 13 US Presidents, starting with a visit to Washington to see Harry Truman before she became Queen. (Her first official head-of-state meeting with a US commander-in-chief was with Dwight Eisenhower). President Joe Biden, who stopped by the British embassy in Washington on Thursday to sign a book of condolences, was the last President to hold official talks with the Queen.
In a statement, Biden sent “our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are not only mourning their Queen, but their dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world.”
And amid the official rituals of remembrance, there were some smaller, but poignant gestures. In Santa Monica, California, patrons showed up at “Ye Olde King’s Head” a restaurant and gift shop, to buy memorabilia and share memories of the Queen.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen extended her condolences to the royal family, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in a tweet.
“Taiwan remembers and celebrates her life of leadership and service, which set an example for people around the world,” Tsai tweeted.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol tweeted his “deepest condolences to the people of the United Kingdom for the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
“She had a strong belief in the cause of human freedom and left great legacies of dignity,” Yoon wrote.
“Her kind heart and good deed will remain in our memories.”
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart of our times,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet Friday morning.
In a separate tweet Modi reflected on his meetings with the Queen during his visits to the United Kingdom.
“During one of the meetings she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding,” he wrote. “I will always cherish that gesture.”
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his sadness over the death of Queen Elizabeth II in a post on his Facebook page.
“Her Majesty’s reign saw one of the longest periods of peace and prosperity in the history of the United Kingdom. Throughout her life, she steadfastly served the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. She performed her duties with devotion, grace, and humility. Her contributions to the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and indeed to the world will be recorded in history, and she will always be remembered fondly as a great world leader.
“Her Majesty also left a significant mark on Singapore’s history and our longstanding close relations with the United Kingdom,” he continued.
Lee extended his condolences to King Charles III, all members of The Royal Family, British Prime Minister Liz Truss, and the British people.
He also shared a photo with Her Majesty, noting that they met on several occasions, most recently in 2018 during the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in London.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has received the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II ” with great sadness,” according to Saudi state-run Al-Ekhbariya Television.
“Queen Elizabeth was a model of leadership that will be immortalized in history, and we remember with appreciation the efforts of the deceased in strengthening the relations of friendship and cooperation between our two friendly countries,” he said.
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is “saddened by the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II,” saying she “devoted her life serving her country,” according to Saudi state-run Al-Ekhbariya Television.
“Queen Elizabeth was an example of wisdom, love and peace,” Salman said as cited by Al-Ekhbariya.
The websites of the British Monarchy and Prince of Wales has now returned to the homepage, in black and white, with profiles of The King and Queen Consort — as well as a link to send messages of condolence.
Harry and Meghan’s Archewell remains as a blacked-out landing page, with messages in memory of the Queen.
Earlier today: All three websites became blacked-out landing page, with messages in memory of the Queen. A message at the bottom of the main royal’s website said: “The official website of the Royal Family is temporarily unavailable while appropriate changes are made.”
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited the British embassy in Washington, DC, on Thursday to pay their respects and address embassy staff following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
“We mourn for all of you. She was a great lady. We’re so delighted we got to meet her,” Biden said after he and the first lady signed a condolence book for the Queen.
He signed the condolence book for Queen Elizabeth II just after 6 p.m. ET at a table with a bouquet of flowers on one side and a photograph of Queen Elizabeth II on the other. The firstlady also presented a bouquet of flowers to British Ambassador to the US Karen Pierce who greeted them at the embassy.
After signing the book, in which the President took several minutes to write out a message, the Bidens addressed embassy staff.
“Our hearts are with you,” the first lady said.
“As my mother would say, God love you,” President Biden said to staff and thanked them, according to the print pool. He then walked out of the room, holding the first lady’s hand.
Biden’s motorcade is now rolling to the National Harbor in Maryland where he will attend a DNC fundraiser.
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her son, Charles, immediately became King.
Here’s what we know about the British royal family’s line of succession.
King Charles
Born: November 14, 1948
What to know: First in the line of succession, Charles was the longest serving British monarch-in-waiting; he’s been the heir apparent since the age of 3. As president of The Prince’s Trust and the Royal Shakespeare Company, and president or patron of more than 400 charitable organizations, the Prince of Wales is the first royal heir to earn a university degree.
More key relatives: Diana, Princess of Wales, to whom he was married from 1981 to 1996. They had two children together: Princes William and Harry.
Diana died in 1997 following a car accident in Paris, along with boyfriend Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul.
In 2005, the Prince of Wales married Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
Born: June 21, 1982
What to know: Prince William, next line to the throne after his father Charles, has achieved the highest educational degree – Masmer of Arta – of any member of the royal family. He served in the military from 2006 to 2013, participating in more than 150 helicopter search and rescue operations.
More key relatives: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, whom he married in 2011. The couple have three children together: Prince George, 9; Princess Charlotte, 7; and Prince Louis, 4.
The family live in Adelaide Cottage, a four-bedroom property in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire, about 25 miles from London. The Cambridges’ London residence, Kensington Palace, will remain the family’s principal residence, however, a royal source told CNN in August.
Prince George of Cambridge
Born: July 22, 2013
What to know: When Prince George arrived, he became third in line to inherit the throne. If he becomes king after the reigns of his grandfather Prince Charles and his father Prince William, George will be the 43rd monarch since William the Conqueror.
But for now, he’s still brushing up on his education: George currently attends Lambrook School near Windsor along with his younger sister, Charlotte and his younger brother, Louis.
View more here.
British actors and artists who were honored by Queen Elizabeth II mourned her death Thursday.
Singer Elton John shared his sadness and offered condolences on Instagram.
“Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly,” he added.
John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1998 for services to music and his charitable works.
Dame Helen Mirren, the English actor who won an Oscar for portraying Queen Elizabeth in the 2006 film “The Queen,” also paid tribute to the late monarch.
Mirren also played Queen Elizabeth in the Broadway production of “The Audience” in 2015. She was appointed Dame by Queen Elizabeth in 2003 for her services to drama.
Actor Sir Patrick Stewart also remembered the late monarch when asked about her passing at a “Star Trek Day” red carpet event.
Stewart was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2010.
Queen Elizabeth II described being left with a “huge void in her life” after her husband Prince Philip’s death, their son Prince Andrew said last April.
Speaking to media after attending a service at the chapel at Royal Lodge Windsor, the Duke of York said, “I feel very sorry and supportive of my mother who is feeling it probably more than anybody else.”
Philip, the lifelong companion of the Queen and the longest-serving consort in British history, died at the age of 99 on April 9, 2021.
“He was a remarkable man, I loved him as a father. He was so calm. If you had a problem, he would think about it,” Andrew said. “He was always someone you could go to.”
The news of Philip’s death was met with an outpouring of tributes from around the world, including messages from every living US President and other world leaders.
The royal family themselves were “all feeling a great sense of loss,” Andrew said. “We’ve lost almost the grandfather of the nation.”
“She described it as having left a huge void in her life,” he said, adding that the family was “rallying around to make sure that we’re there to support her.”
Read more here.
The French Presidential Palace mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II in a long and emotional statement Thursday, thanking her for the role she played in modern history and Franco-British relationship.
“She held a special status in France and a special place in the hearts of the French people,” Élysée Palace said in a statement.
Queen Elizabeth II held the record for most visits to the Élysée Palace for a foreign sovereign. At various occasions, including the six state visits she made to France, the Queen has met with all eight presidents of the French Fifth Republic, which was established in 1959, according to the statement.
The Queen was fluent in French and made several public speeches in French while visiting the country.
“She who stood with the giants of the twentieth century on the path of history has now left to join them,” the statement said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern remembered Queen Elizabeth II in a national address after her passing, saying that she had come to define “notions of service, charity, and consistency.”
Ardern also announced that New Zealand would be moving into a period of official mourning. Flags will be flown at half-staff. Preparations for a state memorial are underway and will be held after the Queen’s official funeral in the UK.
“There is no doubt that a chapter is closing today. And with that, we share our thanks for an incredible woman who we were lucky enough to call our queen,” Ardern said.
The Queen was New Zealand’s head of state.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has offered the country’s sympathy and deepest condolences at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
In a statement, Albanese lauded a “long life devoted to duty, family, faith and service.”
As head of state, Queen Elizabeth visited Australia 16 times.
In 1999 Australia held a referendum on whether to remove the Queen as head of state. The referendum was defeated.
Albanese noted a relationship between Australia and the British monarchy which “matured and evolved throughout Her Majesty’s reign.”
“The Queen greeted each and every change with understanding, good grace and an abiding faith in the Australian people’s good judgment,” Albanese noted.
Governor-General David Hurley, the British monarch’s representative in Australia, will address the nation later Friday.
In a statement, Hurley described Queen Elizabeth as “a truly remarkable person” who showed “selflessness and unwavering commitment to the people whom she served. To us.”
Police have removed barriers blocking access to the gates to Balmoral Castle to allow the public to lay flowers for the Queen, according to PA news agency.
Others are outside Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to mourn the death of Queen.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who she said was “loved and admired” by the people of Scotland.
Sturgeon recounted how the Queen was a “great constant in our national life” for 70 years, speaking of how she “inspired” the Scottish public.
“And by all accounts, Her Majesty was rarely happier than when she was here in Scotland at her beloved Balmoral. A fact I have been privileged to observe personally,” the first minister continued.
She expressed her hope that members of the royal family will find “comfort” in knowing that the queen “spent her final days in a place that she loved so much.”
Pope Francis mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II, praising her “steadfast witness of faith in Jesus Christ” in a telegram to King Charles III, the new monarch of the United Kingdom.
“Upon you and all who cherish the memory of your late mother, I invoke an abundance of divine blessings as a pledge of comfort and strength in the Lord,” he added.
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has spoken to King Charles III after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.
Truss was informed of the Queen’s death at 4.30 p.m. local time (11:30 a.m. ET), according to the spokesperson. The prime minister was told the news by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case.
Truss is expected to chair a meeting of ministers at 9 p.m. local time Thursday (4 p.m. ET).
