Queen Elizabeth II was the second-longest reigning monarch in history, after France's Louis XIV.
New Delhi: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who was the second-longest reigning monarch in history, after France's Louis XIV, died yesterday at the age of 96. Several leaders across the world have issued statements paying tribute to her.
She died peacefully at her estate in Balmoral, Scotland , according to a statement from Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth II's eldest son, Charles, succeeds as king immediately, according to centuries of protocol, beginning a new, less certain chapter for the royal family after the queen's record-breaking 70-year reign.
"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," King Charles said in a statement.
Souvenir Sales Rise Near Buckingham Palace As UK Mourns Queen's Death British business paid tribute Friday to Queen Elizabeth II, with department stores shut, flags lowered, clocks stopped and meetings postponed, but souvenir sales boomed near Buckingham Palace as well-wishers thronged.
London's iconic Selfridges, on the capital's Oxford Street shopping thoroughfare, and nearby Liberty on Regent Street closed out of respect for the nation's longest-serving monarch who died Thursday.
Her funeral due September 19 "should have an impact on the tourism sector and the souvenir industry", according to Mirabaud analyst John Plassard.
"The royal family, which regularly features on the front pages of newspapers, is an object of constant fascination, including well beyond the kingdom's borders.
"Souvenir sales are expected to rise by $69 million as a result of the funeral," he added.
Read more Britain's New Monarch King Charles Greets People Outside Buckingham Palace Britain's King Charles shook hands with dozens of members of the public outside Buckingham Palace on Friday, as emotional well-wishers snapped pictures and greeted the new monarch following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth on Thursday.
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King Charles and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, stepped out of the royal car just outside the gates of Buckingham Palace in an unanticipated gesture as they arrived back in London from Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where the queen died.
The couple, dressed in black, were received by huge cheers and applause from a crowd of hundreds gathered outside the palace, television footage showed.
The king proceeded to shake hands with dozens of well-wishers and look at floral tributes to his mother for more than ten minutes. Several members of the public sang "God save the King" and one shouted, "Love you, Charles!"
Church Bells Rings Across UK For Queen Elizabeth
Church bells rang across Britain on Friday in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her death at the age of 96.
Bells rang at London's St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, and at the late monarch's residence Windsor, west of the capital.
The British government declared a period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth, and a ceremonial 96-gun salute was fired in her memory.
The 96 shots - one for every year of her life - were fired from Hyde Park and the Tower of London in the capital, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland and Cardiff Castle in Wales, as well as the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.
UK Cabinet Under PM Liz Truss Stands Fully Behind King Charles III: Downing Street
New British Prime Minister Liz Truss's cabinet of ministers stands fully behind King Charles III, Downing Street said Friday following the death of Elizabeth II.
"Cabinet was united in their support for His Majesty the King, as he and the United Kingdom continue to mourn the passing of his mother," a spokesman told reporters, adding the ministers held a moment of silence for the late queen.
"We All Feel An Emptiness" Following The Queen's Death: Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday hailed the "wisdom and empathy" of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, saying that "we all feel an emptiness" following her death.
"With her, France and the United Kingdom shared not just an 'entente cordiale', but a warm, sincere and loyal partnership. To you, she was your Queen. To us, she was the Queen," Macron said in English in a video message posted on Twitter.
"We are grateful for her deep affection for France: Elizabeth II mastered our language, loved our culture and touched our hearts," he added.
"From her coronation on, she knew and spoke with all of our presidents. No other country had the privilege of welcoming her as many times as we did."
"At this sad moment, we send our heartfelt condolences to His Majesty the King, the royal family, the British people, and all those who loved the Queen and will miss her so deeply."
Macron was to visit the British embassy in Paris to sign a condolence book for the queen, who died Thursday aged 96.
Japan's Emperor Hails "Many Achievements" Of Queen Elizabeth
"I express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to the queen for the many achievements and contributions she has made," Emperor Naruhito said in a statement issued by the Imperial Household Agency.
"Her way of always wishing for peace and tranquillity in the world deeply impressed many people."
The emperor's comments followed a tribute from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who praised her "extremely important role in world peace and stability".
"The death of the queen, who led Britain through turbulent times in the world, is a great loss not only for the British people but also the international community," he told reporters on Friday morning, also expressing his "deep sorrow".
In 1975, the queen made the first visit to Japan by a British monarch, and met then emperor Hirohito.
UK Declares Period Of National Mourning For Queen Elizabeth
The British government on Friday officially declared the start of a period of national mourning for Queen Elizabeth, publishing 'national mourning guidance'.
The document, which carried guidance on flying flags, information on travel, and other business and public services, stated that the mourning will continue until the end of the day of the state funeral.
The government said there was no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during this time, adding that it was at the discretion of individual organisations.
For Queen Elizabeth II, India Declares State Mourning On SundayA day of state mourning will be observed in India on September 11 "as a mark of respect" for the death of Queen Elizabeth, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced today. She died yesterday at the age of 96.
Additionally, the National Flag will be flown at half mast throughout the country on all buildings where the flag is flown regularly. "There will be no official entertainment on the day," the ministry said.
When Queen Elizabeth Called Jallianwala Bagh A "Distressing Example"Queen Elizabeth's final visit to India was to mark the 50th anniversary celebrations of India's Independence and for the first time she made a reference to "difficult episodes" of colonial history.
"It is no secret that there have been some difficult episodes in our past. Jallianwala Bagh is a distressing example," the monarch noted in her banquet address. Read
here
Prince Harry Leaves Balmoral Castle: ReportQueen Elizabeth's grandson, Prince Harry, has left Balmoral Castle this morning, BBC reported. He had travelled to Scotland without wife Meghan Markle after Queen Elizabeth's doctors issued a bulletin about the monarch's health yesterday.
Roger Federer Hails Queen Elizabeth's "Grace, Elegance"Roger Federer hailed Queen Elizabeth II for her "elegance" and "grace" as the world of sport stopped to pay tribute to the British monarch following her death aged 96.
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty," tweeted Federer, who met the queen when she visited Wimbledon in 2010.
"Her elegance, grace and loyalty to her duty will live on in history," added the eight-time Wimbledon champion, who was not playing at the US Open.
China's Xi Offers 'Sincere Sympathies' To Britain After Queen's DeathChinese President Xi Jinping on Friday offered "sincere sympathies to the British government and people" following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
"Xi Jinping, representing the Chinese government and the Chinese people, as well as in his own name, expresses deep condolences," a statement said, adding: "Her passing is a great loss to the British people."
The Queen On Screen: She Inspired Spoofs, Dramas, Comedy ShowsBritain's Queen Elizabeth fascinated Hollywood writers and actors during her seven-decade reign and was portrayed on screen in award-winning dramas, animation and even US comedy sketch show "Saturday Night Live."
Queen Elizabeth made a compelling subject because she played a role in major world events and because her life story had a "very human element," said People magazine editor-in-chief Wendy Naugle. Read
here.
"Role Model For Leadership": Saudi Arabia King, Crown Prince On Queen ElizabethSaudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman sent condolences to British King Charles III early on Friday on Queen Elizabeth's death, according to two statements on state news agency SPA.
"Her majesty was a role model for leadership that will be immortalized in history," the King said.
The kingdom's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the world will remember the great impact and the great deeds she did throughout her career.
Queen Elizabeth II To 'Lie In State' In Westminster Hall For 4 Days Ahead Of FuneralAfter Queen Elizabeth II's coffin returns to London, she will "lie in state" in Westminster Hall for about four days before her funeral, BBC reported. This would allow members of the public to file past.
The grand hall is the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, at the heart of British government. The last member of the Royal Family to lie in state in the hall was the Queen Mother in 2002.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Condoles Queen's Death
Joe Biden Orders US Flags To Half Staff In Honour Of Queen Elizabeth IIUS President Joe Biden ordered flags at the White House and other federal buildings to be lowered to half-staff Thursday "as a mark of respect" for Britain's late Queen Elizabeth II.
Flags will also be lowered on US Navy vessels, at military posts and naval stations, and at all American embassies and other facilities abroad, a proclamation from the White House said.
"Queen Elizabeth's Death Great Loss For The World": Japan PM Fumio KishidaThe death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is a "great loss" for the entire world, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday.
"The death of the queen, who led Britain through turbulent times in the world, is a great loss not only for the British people but also the international community," he told reporters.
Kishida praised the queen's "extremely important role in world peace and stability," saying she "contributed greatly to the strengthening of Japan-UK relations".