The 96-year-old queen had been under medical supervision at Balmoral, her castle in Scotland.
The death of Queen Elizabeth II is being mourned in Britain and across the world. The country’s longest-reigning monarch died Thursday at age 96.
Large crowds are expected to gather outside Buckingham Palace in central London, while tributes pour in from across the country and the world. Fears had been growing as the royal family rushed to Scotland to be by the queen’s side after Buckingham Palace said she had been placed under medical supervision.
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Few Britons have known another monarch, so the end of Elizabeth’s reign after more than 70 years will thrust the royal family — and Britain — into days of mourning and an uncertain new era.
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Charles becomes king
Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, is now king of the United Kingdom and its commonwealth realms.
Charles, 73, is the eldest of four children born to the queen and her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year.
Charles immediately became king upon Elizabeth’s death.
World leaders share messages of support
In addition to President Joe Biden, leaders from around the world are sharing messages of support for the queen.
“My thoughts, and the thoughts of Canadians across the country, are with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at this time,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet. “We’re wishing her well, and sending our best to the Royal Family.”
The queen is Canada’s head of state, as she is for the other 14 Commonwealth realms.
European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said during a news conference that her prayers were with the queen.
“She represents the whole history of the Europe that is our common home with our British friends,” vonder Leyen said, according to The Associated Press. “She has given to all of us in all these years, always, stability, confidence. She’s shown an immense amount of courage. She is a legend in my eyes, and therefore my prayers are with her.”
The queen posed for a relaxed photo at Balmoral on Tuesday
Before she officially invited Liz Truss to become the 15th prime minister of her reign Tuesday, the queen posed for this portrait.
Taken in the drawing room at Balmoral Castle, the photo offers a glimpse into the home life of the monarch at her Scottish summer home.
Senior royals arrive at Balmoral as family gathers
Nearly all members of the queen’s immediate family who were not already at Balmoral Castle in Scotland have now arrived.
Prince William drove a Range Rover carrying the queen’s sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and his wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.
The group arrived shortly after 5 p.m. local time (noon ET), having flown to Scotland.
Why Balmoral is so important to the royal family
Nestled in the Scottish countryside, Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the royal family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by her husband, Prince Albert, in 1852.
Queen Elizabeth II has been going to the estate since she was a child and has regularly spent her summer vacations on the property, which covers an area of around 50,000 acres.
At its heart is a large palace with prominent turrets and a clock tower, but the estate also features scores of other buildings, including cottages that the public can rent at various times of the year and use it as a base to explore mountains, forests and the rugged countryside in the region.
Prince Charles honeymooned there with Diana, the Princess of Wales, while his sons revealed that it was the place that they last spoke to their mother in the documentary “Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy.”
Source: NBC News
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