Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, dies aged 96 – newsdubai
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, died Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after reigning for 70 years. She was 96.
Her family had gathered at her Scottish estate in Aberdeenshire after concerns about her health grew earlier on Thursday. Britain now has a new monarch in Charles, the former Prince of Wales.
“The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
“The king and the queen [Charles and Camilla] will stay at Balmoral tonight and return to London tomorrow [Friday]”, the statement said.
The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.
With her death, her eldest son and heir Charles will lead the country in mourning as the new king and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms. Charles and the Queen’s close family members traveled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision.
Her grandson, Prince William, is also there along with his brother, Prince Harry, on the way.
The Queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, was already by her side at the Scottish castle, and her other children – Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – joined later. Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were in London for a charity event, also rushed to Harry’s grandmother’s summer residence.
William’s wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, has remained in Windsor as their children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – started their first full day at a new school there earlier on Thursday.
The 96-year-old monarch has suffered from age-related mobility problems and had cut back on her travels, including the appointment of new Prime Minister Liz Truss in Scotland earlier this week.
Modi salutes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid heartfelt tributes to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, saying she was a stalwart who provided inspirational leadership to her nation and people.
She personified dignity and decency in public life, Modi said, recalling his “memorable” meetings with the Queen in 2015 and 2018.
“I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings she showed me the handkerchief that Mahatma Gandhi gave her for her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture,” said the Prime Minister.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart of our time. She provided inspirational leadership to her nation and people. She personified dignity and decency in public life. The pain of her death. My thoughts are with her family and the people of Britain in this sad hour,” he said.
Published it
8 September 2022