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The United Kingdom is mourning the loss of its longest-reigning Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in Scotland on September 8 at 96. Her son and heir apparent Charles announced the news on Twitter. He tweets
The death of my beloved Mother Her Majesty The Queen is a moment of the greatest saddness for me and all members of my family
It is believed that the Queen’s passing was due to natural causes. Her son and heir-apparent, Charles, notified the Prime Minister by phone before publicly announcing it to the nation.
The Queen’s body will lie in state at Buckingham Palace so the family can spend time together. Then the Queen’s body goes to Westminster Hall, where the public can pay their respects before moving her to Westminster Abbey for the state funeral. The official funeral will be on September 18, 2022.
Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926 and ascended to the throne upon her father, King George VI’s death in 1952. During her reign, she became head of state for 16 countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; she was also head of the Church of England and became its supreme governor in 1952
The next in line for the throne is Prince Charles. When his mother died, he became King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland immediately. He was born November 14, 1948, in Buckingham Palace in London, England. At age three, he was given a corgi puppy named Susan, which would later become Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite pet.
The Queen was also the oldest living Monarch in Europe now. If you look up some of the other European nations (like Norway or Sweden), they have all abdicated their thrones by now—the last one being King Harald V of Norway, who gave up his position after 23 years as king on September 17. Elizabeth II is survived by, her son Charles, her daughter Anne, and her younger sibling Edward.
Queen Elizabeth’s death was on International Women’s Day, which was observed on March 8 around the world. It had a significant impact on women around the globe.
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. The first International Women’s Day was on March 19, 1911, in Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.
All staff at Buckingham Palace observed a moment of silence when the news broke that the Queen had passed away.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Harry and Megan) expect their second child later this year. The baby is due in September and will be born at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. The same hospital where Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, gave birth to him.
Harry and Magan have not announced the name or sex of the unborn baby, but it appears it may not be long before Megan gives birth!
In 1995, the royal family created Operation London Bridge to determine how they would react if the Queen passed away. The plan was named after the bridge that connects Canada and the United States; this was meant to symbolize their international significance. The plan has been revised over the years and is intended to be flexible so that it can be adjusted to fit whatever circumstances arise in the future.
The loss of Queen Elizabeth II profoundly saddens us. Her legacy will live on in our hearts forever.
Written by Omari Jahi
Sources:
Npr: ‘Operation London Bridge’ maps out the ten days after Queen Eliabeth’s death by BILL CHAPPELL
MSN: Queen London Bridge down: What happens now the Monarch has died? by Olivia Petter
British Heritage: What to expect when Queen Elizabeth II dies by BHT Staff
Featured & Top Image Courtesy of Leo Reynolds Flickr Page Creative Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of Pulseman Flickr Page Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image Courtesy of Alberto Botella Flickr Page Creative Commons License
Third Inset Image Courtesy of Defence Imagery Flickr Page Creative Commons License
