• UK PM, Buhari, Biden, Obama, Macron, others hail Britain’s longest-reigning monarch
Eulogies from global leaders and leading personalities all over the world poured in for Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarch, as she died at the age of 96 on Thursday.
She died peacefully at Balmoral Castle, her estate in the Scottish Highlands in the afternoon marking the end of an era in the United Kingdom.
Her death, which was announced by Buckingham Palace, attracted glowing tributes from global leaders, who described her in glowing terms.
The crown passes immediately to her son and heir Charles, who will officially be known as King Charles III.
Two members of staff posted the formal notice of the Queen’s death on an easel on the railings of Buckingham Palace.
The notice says, “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
On Wednesday, there were concerns over her health when Buckingham Palace announced that she had postponed a virtual meeting of her Privy Council after being advised by doctors to rest.
On Thursday, the palace disclosed that she was under medical supervision, adding that she said she was “comfortable” at Balmoral.
Shortly after her death was announced, mourners gather at Buckingham Palace to pay tributes.
Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, she emerged the Queen in February 1952 after the death of her father, King George VI and reigned for 70 years.
The Queen’s demise was greeted with stunned silence around the world followed by reactions from global leaders and ordinary people as the flag was lowered at Windsor Castle, the Queen’s beloved home.
Castle staff covered visitor signs in black paper as crowds gathered and laid flowers and candles.
The Queen’s children – Charles, Princess Anne, 72, Prince Andrew, 62, and Prince Edward, 58, flocked to her Scottish Highland retreat, Balmoral. They were joined by Charles’s sons, Prince William, and his estranged brother, Prince Harry.
The new King said his mother’s death was a moment of “the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.”
Charles is the oldest and longest-serving heir-apparent in British history. He will be the oldest person, at 73, to become King in British history.
Into her 90s, the Queen maintained a rigorous calendar of events and appearances which reportedly numbered more than 400 in her diamond jubilee year.
Her public life was defined by public duties, some seemingly trivial, such as handing out symbolic alms, others mantled with pomp and pageantry — the opening of Parliament or the hosting of a state dinner.
During her long reign, Elizabeth managed to keep her personal life intact and avoided private scandal and public controversy.
She also did not grant interviews, publish her journals or involve herself in party politics.
