The Queen’s death has prompted an outpouring on social media, with internet users posting tributes and content commemorating and celebrating the monarch.
Twitter was set alight with the news, with people resurfacing their best memories and sharing memes to infinity and beyond. Above Buckingham Palace after a (very English) downpour, a double rainbow spread across the sky.
But it was the clouds that paid the biggest tribute to the Queen, as the heavens opened up in fine fashion.
glad we're all being normal about this pic.twitter.com/yTx1zStnft
— James Colley (@JamColley) September 9, 2022
As with 9/11 and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, people around the world stopped on commutes and nights out to react to the news. But for some, finding out what happened came via loved ones with their minds on other things.
there’s no way this is how I found out
— becky (@bambinobecky) September 8, 2022
RIP Lizzie 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Cx6ggwXAn8
This is how I found out she died by the way pic.twitter.com/GT7oLBMhhT
— Kesli ʚ♡ɞ (@virtualxdoll) September 8, 2022
Broadcasts across the world were interrupted to announce the death of the Queen, catching newsreaders off guard and disrupting regular programming, with a Fox News reporter leading her report with an unfortunate slip of the tongue to announce the death of the King.
Google’s rainbow letters turned grey, matching the colour of mourning spreading throughout the world as many posted messages of condolence. The Australian parliament website directs people to information on plans to commemorate the Queen’s death, but BBC Radio 1 Dance gave the Queen the ultimate sendoff with a “bourgeois beat” fit for royalty.
We can only guess how one such person is feeling today, as Twitter resurfaced a now-infamous clip of the Queen’s former Royal protection officer recalling how an American tourist failed to recognise the Queen after meeting her while hiking.
this remains an all-time story about the queen pic.twitter.com/hI2yNUac0H
— David Mack (@davidmackau) September 8, 2022
The Queen’s death also sparked some alarming questions from the next generation. The ABC’s Andy Park was up early with his daughter who caught a glimpse of the headlines on TV.
honest to god, my 5yo daughter carefully read the @abcnews news strap out loud and forlornly said “but whose going to look after the world?” pic.twitter.com/QPhZVxo7ag
— Andy Park (@andy_park) September 8, 2022
Meanwhile, comedy writer Jon Harvey reminded us of the tumultuous time Britain is living through right now, and how some missed the Elizabethan era by a matter of days.
There are two-day-old babies who are on their second prime minister and their second monarch.
— Jon Harvey (@jondharvey) September 8, 2022
Also celebrated in popular culture, the Queen’s sense of humour was often on show, not least in her tea with Paddington to her outing with James Bond. Paddington himself paid tribute to her majesty this morning in a heartbreaking sendoff.
Thank you Ma’am, for everything.
— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) September 8, 2022
While many may celebrate with coronation chicken and the Queen’s favourite cake, we will hold our breath to see what namesakes the internet comes up for King Charles.
I can only save the Queen for so long.
— God (@TheTweetOfGod) September 8, 2022
