The World Says Goodbye to England’s Longest Reigning Monarch

Luke Daines, Staff Reporter

On Thursday, September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away on the Grounds of Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. After over 70 years as the Head of State, She’ll be remembered as the longest reigning monarch in England’s history. 

In the hours following her death, Prince Charles of Wales (now King Charles III), shared a message stating “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.”

President Biden called the Queen a “…steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons,” and vowed to keep “a close friendship with the king and the queen consort,” he said in a statement released Thursday afternoon.

As the period of nationwide mourning was announced, flags on iconic buildings across the UK were lowered to half-mast.

Liz Truss, England’s newly elected Prime Minister, addressed the nation Thursday, from 10 Downing Street in a proclamation sharing the importance of cherishing the Queen’s life and ensuring her memory lives on with renewed support for His Majesty, King Charles III.

Britons remain in a state of shock following the announcement of the Queen’s death. Many have gathered on the grounds in front of and surrounding Buckingham Palace, and the crowds are only expected to grow.

The Royal Family has announced that the funeral will be held on Monday, September 19th, 2022 at 11am BST (5am CT). Her body will lay in state in Westminster Hall for four days before being transported in the procession to the State Funeral at Westminster Abbey.

Following the State Funeral, Her Majesty’s body will travel to Windsor Castle, and after a short committal service, her body will be laid to rest on the palace grounds.