King Charles III has released a statement following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The death of The Queen was announced on Thursday, September 8.
The statement reads: "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."
Read more: Queen dies: Elizabeth II passes away at age of 96, Buckingham Palace announces
It concluded: "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."
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history, and this year marked 70 years on the throne with her Platinum Jubilee. Her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died on April 9, 2021, aged 99.
The Prince married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen. At the age of 96, the Queen leaves behind four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
As her eldest son, Charles, who is 73, is the heir to the throne. His wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will automatically take on the title and style of queen consort.
The flags in Downing Street were lowered to half mast at 6.36pm following the Queen’s death. BBC One played the national anthem following the announcement, showing a photograph of the Queen, followed by a royal crest on a black background and the words Queen Elizabeth II.
Floral tributes have already started to build at the gates of the Queen’s residences. A crowd gathered outside Buckingham Palace earlier in the day beneath dark clouds.
More than 100 umbrella-clad observers congregated on the stone steps up to The Queen Victoria Memorial, opposite the royal residence. People have begun laying flowers at the gates of Buckingham Palace.
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