The United Kingdom “is today a country in mourning” after the death, Thursday, September 8, of “the beloved” Queen Elizabeth II, deplores the Daily Mailwhich evokes a nation “Broken Heart”.
“Britons unite in grief, as King Charles addresses the world”headlines another tabloid, The Daily Express.
The death of the longest-reigning monarch in UK history was announced by Buckingham Palace at 6.30pm, “a decisive moment in the life of the country, leaving it without its ‘matriarch’”, Write the Financial Times.
Her son, the Prince of Wales, who was with other members of the royal family at her bedside at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, at the time of death, became King Charles III. He published a text to pay homage to the sovereign:
“The passing of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a time of great sadness for me and all my family members. We deeply mourn the passing of a beloved sovereign and a much loved mother. I know his loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, kingdoms and commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
Appointed Prime Minister by the Queen on Tuesday, Liz Truss said the death of Elizabeth II was a “huge shock to the nation and the world”. She concluded her speech outside 10 Downing Street on Thursday evening by saying: “God save the King”.
Flag at half mast and national anthem in front of Buckingham Palace
“The tributes quickly poured in”in the UK and around the world, notices the Daily Mailthe queen being “for many the greatest Briton in history and arguably the most famous woman on the planet”. “For billions of people around the world, continues the newspaper, she was the very face of British identity.”
In London, thousands of people gathered outside Buckingham Palace. “Many cried when the Union Jack was lowered”reports The Times. The crowd sang the national anthem, God save the Queenas shown in a video of the BBC. “Despite heavy rain, people gathered […] and laid flowers in front of the doors” of the official residence of the royal family, relates for its part The Guardianwho sees there “scenes reminiscent of the days following the death of Princess Diana, almost exactly twenty-five years ago.”
In front of Windsor Castle, another residence of the royal family, “many initially refused to believe it, frantically checking their phones to confirm the queen was dead, before a rainbow appeared overhead” of the building, written The Times. “It’s super sad, the world is going to be different without the queen, moved Daniel, met by the newspaper. She was a wonderful woman and represented what is good. She had a good moral code, she had class, she was very nice.”
The United Kingdom “enters a ten-day mourning period”announcement for its part The Spectator. “The Queen’s coffin will rest at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, followed by a welcoming service at St Giles Cathedral and then be transported to London, where it will be greeted by the Prime Minister”details the magazine. “The beer will take place in Westminster Hall on Wednesday September 14, where the public will be able to gather until Saturday September 17.” And the state funeral “will be held the following day at Westminster Abbey and the burial will take place in Windsor later that day.”