View source for Death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

{{Short description|Death of the monarch of the United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox event
|name        = Death of Elizabeth II
|image       = Balmoral_Castle.jpg
|caption     = Balmoral Castle (pictured in 2004), where Elizabeth II died
|date        = {{Start date|df=yes|2022|9|8}}
|location    = [[Balmoral Castle]], Scotland
|coordinates = {{coord|57|2|27|N|3|13|48|W|type:landmark|display=inline}}
|type        = 
|deaths      = 
}}
[[Elizabeth II]], the [[Queen of the United Kingdom]] and the other [[Commonwealth realms]], the longest-living and [[List of monarchs in Britain by length of reign|longest-reigning British monarch]], died at the age of 96 on 8 September 2022 at [[Balmoral Castle]] in [[Scotland]]. The official announcement came at 18:30 [[British Summer Time|BST]]. Earlier in the day, doctors reported that her health had been deteriorating rapidly and placed her under medical supervision.<ref name="BBCNewsInfo">{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886 |title=Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace announces |date=8 September 2022 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908173308/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Elizabeth's death set in motion [[Operation London Bridge]], a collection of plans in response to her death.

==Background==

After being in good health for most of her elderly life, the Queen's health started to deteriorate after [[Death and funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|the death of her husband]], [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Philip]], in April 2021. In October, she began using a [[walking stick]] during public engagements<ref>{{cite news |last=Murray |first=Jessica |date=12 October 2021 |title=Queen seen using walking stick for first time in 20 years |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/12/the-queen-seen-using-walking-stick-at-service-for-british-legion |url-status=live |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331202326/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/12/the-queen-seen-using-walking-stick-at-service-for-british-legion |archive-date=31 March 2022}}</ref> and following an overnight stay in hospital on 20&nbsp;October, visits to [[Northern Ireland]],<ref>{{Citation |last1=Taylor |first1=Harry |title=The Queen spent night in hospital after cancelling Northern Ireland visit |date=21 October 2021 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/21/the-queen-spent-night-in-hospital-after-cancelling-northern-ireland-visit |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225193105/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/21/the-queen-spent-night-in-hospital-after-cancelling-northern-ireland-visit |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> the [[COP26]] summit in [[Glasgow]],<ref>{{Citation |last1=Lee |first1=Joseph |title=Queen will not attend COP26 climate change summit |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59056725 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=26 October 2021 |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=1 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201115457/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59056725 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the 2021 [[National Service of Remembrance]] were cancelled on health grounds,<ref>{{Citation|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59280608|title=The Queen to miss Remembrance Sunday service|date=14 November 2021|author=Becky Morton|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=9 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309025216/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59280608|url-status=live}}</ref> including a [[sprain]]ed back.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/11/14/1055641481/queen-elizabeth-sprained-back-remembrance-sunday |title=Sprained back forces Queen Elizabeth to miss remembrance event for Britain's war dead |author=The Associated Press |website=[[NPR]] |date=14 November 2021 |access-date=9 September 2022}}</ref>

In February 2022, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in England]], the Queen was one of several people at [[Windsor Castle]] to test positive for [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60453566 |title=The Queen tests positive for Covid |date=20 February 2022 |work=[[BBC News]] |last1=Lee |first1=Dulcie |last2=Durbin |first2=Adam}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220220-britain-s-queen-elizabeth-catches-mild-covid-19 |title=Britain's Queen Elizabeth catches 'mild' Covid-19 |website=France 24 |author=News Wires |date=20 February 2022}}</ref> Her [[Symptoms of COVID-19|symptoms]] were described as mild and [[Common cold|cold]]-like, with the Queen later commenting that the disease "does leave one very tired and exhausted".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60998927 |title=Queen reveals Covid left her 'very tired and exhausted' |work=[[BBC News]] |last=Couzens |first=Jo |date=10 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/queen-elizabeth-says-covid-left-one-very-tired-exhausted-2022-04-11/ |title=Queen Elizabeth says COVID left "one very tired and exhausted" |website=[[Reuters]] |date=11 April 2022}}</ref> Given the health impacts of COVID-19 and [[long COVID]] are known to be more severe among older people,<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-068414 |title=Risk of persistent and new clinical sequelae among adults aged 65 years and older during the post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection: retrospective cohort study |author=Ken Cohen |display-authors=etal |journal=[[The BMJ]] |year=2022 |volume=376 |pages=e068414 |doi=10.1136/bmj-2021-068414 |pmid=35140117 |pmc=8828141 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-30836-0 |title=Long COVID burden and risk factors in 10 UK longitudinal studies and electronic health records |author=Ellen J. Thompson |display-authors=etal |journal=Nature |date=28 June 2022|volume=13 |issue=1 |page=3528 |doi=10.1038/s41467-022-30836-0 |pmid=35764621 |pmc=9240035 }}</ref> there were concerns for the Queen's health at the time;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-12/queen-what-happens-if-she-gets-covid-who-takes-over/100825270 |title=Who would take over from the Queen if she could not perform her duties? |website=ABC News (Australia) |date=13 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/20/queen-covid-antivirals-care-medical-household |title=Covid antivirals an option for the Queen under care of medical household |last=Quinn |first=Ben |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=21 February 2022}}</ref> however, she was reportedly feeling well enough to resume her official duties by 1 March.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/03/queen-elizabeth-recovered-coronavirus-prince-william-kate-middleton-grandchildren-visit-windsor-castle |title=Queen Elizabeth Recovers From COVID and Spends Some Time With Her Grandchildren |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=1 March 2022 |first=Emily |last=Kirkpatrick}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/world/europe/queen-elizabeth-covid-free.html |title=Queen Elizabeth resumes work 9 days after a positive coronavirus test. |website=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=limited |date=1 March 2022 |first=Isabella |last=Kwai}}</ref>

The Queen was present at [[A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of The Duke of Edinburgh|the service of thanksgiving for Prince Philip]] at [[Westminster Abbey]] on 29 March,<ref>{{Citation|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60902088|title=Queen attends Prince Philip memorial service at Westminster Abbey|work=BBC News|first=Turner|last=Lauren|date=29 March 2022|access-date=5 April 2022|archive-date=6 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606155117/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60902088|url-status=live}}</ref> but was unable to attend the annual [[Commonwealth Day]] service that month<ref>{{Citation |date=14 March 2022 |title=Prince Charles Fills in for Queen Elizabeth II at Commonwealth Day Service Alongside Prince William |first=Eliza |last=Thompson |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-misses-2022-commonwealth-day-service/ |access-date=14 March 2022 |website=Us Weekly |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314202741/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-misses-2022-commonwealth-day-service/ |url-status=live }}</ref> or the [[Royal Maundy|Royal Maundy Service]] in April.<ref>{{Citation|work=BBC News|title=Prince Charles stands in for Queen at Maundy Service|first=Charley|last=Adams|date=14 April 2022|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61111303|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=6 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606155117/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61111303|url-status=live}}</ref> She missed the [[State Opening of Parliament]] in May for the first time in 59 years (she did not attend in 1959 and 1963 as she was pregnant with [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York]] and [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex]], respectively).<ref>{{Citation|work=Sky News|url=https://news.sky.com/story/queen-wont-be-attending-state-opening-of-parliament-12609353|title=Queen to miss State Opening of Parliament – Prince of Wales to read speech instead|date=9 May 2022|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=11 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611195207/https://news.sky.com/story/queen-wont-be-attending-state-opening-of-parliament-12609353|url-status=live}}</ref> In her absence, [[2022 State Opening of Parliament|Parliament was opened]] by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge as [[Counsellors of State]].<ref>{{Citation|work=The Telegraph|first=Hannah|last=Furness|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/05/10/prince-william-counsellors-state-queens-speech-state-opening/|date=10 May 2022|title=Queen's Speech: Why Prince William is attending State Opening of Parliament|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=12 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612154417/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/05/10/prince-william-counsellors-state-queens-speech-state-opening/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Prince of Wales, the [[heir apparent]], gained more official responsibilities towards the end of the Queen's life<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Nick |title=Queen's official duties trimmed down as power shifts to Prince Charles |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/queens-official-duties-trimmed-down-as-power-shifts-to-prince-charles-1720806 |access-date=8 September 2022 |work=[[i (newspaper)|i]] |date=3 July 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703174441/https://inews.co.uk/news/queens-official-duties-trimmed-down-as-power-shifts-to-prince-charles-1720806 |url-status=live }}</ref> and stood in for her at the State Opening of Parliament.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Landler |first1=Mark |date=9 May 2022 |title=Queen Elizabeth to Miss Opening of Parliament |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/09/world/europe/queen-elizabeth-parliament-opening.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907050520/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/09/world/europe/queen-elizabeth-parliament-opening.html |archive-date=7 September 2022}}</ref>

In June, the Queen did not attend a church service for her [[Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Platinum Jubilee]]; official sources mentioned her "discomfort" after standing during the military parade celebrating [[Queen's Official Birthday|her official birthday]] on the first day of celebrations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Landler |first1=Mark |title=Queen Elizabeth will skip Friday's church service after 'discomfort' during the jubilee's first day. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/world/europe/queen-elizabeth-will-skip-a-church-service-on-friday-after-discomfort-during-jubilee-ceremony.html |access-date=8 September 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=2 June 2022 |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907042822/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/world/europe/queen-elizabeth-will-skip-a-church-service-on-friday-after-discomfort-during-jubilee-ceremony.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During the celebrations, the Queen was largely confined to balcony appearances, and she missed the [[Platinum Jubilee National Service of Thanksgiving|National Service of Thanksgiving]].<ref>{{Citation|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/06/02/queen-miss-service-thanksgiving-suffering-discomfort/|title=The Queen to miss service of thanksgiving after suffering discomfort|work=The Telegraph|first=Hannah|last=Furness|date=2 June 2022|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=27 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627180802/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/06/02/queen-miss-service-thanksgiving-suffering-discomfort/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 6 September, two days before her death, the Queen accepted the [[resignation]] of [[Boris Johnson]] and appointed [[Liz Truss]] to succeed him as [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] at [[Balmoral Castle]] (where the Queen was on holiday) in a break with tradition; this was usually done at [[Buckingham Palace]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bubola |first1=Emma |title=The queen will meet the new prime minister at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/06/world/europe/liz-truss-queen-elizabeth-balmoral.html |access-date=8 September 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=6 September 2022 |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907154725/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/06/world/europe/liz-truss-queen-elizabeth-balmoral.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 7 September she was scheduled to attend an online meeting of the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom]] to swear in new ministers in [[Truss ministry|Truss's government]], but it was announced that the meeting had been postponed after she was advised to rest by doctors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62825232|title=Queen postpones senior ministers meeting to rest|work=BBC News |date=7 September 2022|accessdate=8 September 2022}}</ref>

==Timeline==
[[File:Elizabeth II Death Notice at Holyrood Palace.jpg|thumb|Notice of Elizabeth II's death posted at Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh]]
At approximately 12:30 [[British Standard Time|BST]] on 8 September 2022, [[Buckingham Palace]] announced that the Queen was under medical supervision at Balmoral Castle after doctors expressed concern. The statement read:{{quote|Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62836057|title=Queen's doctors concerned for her health – palace|website=BBC News|date=8 September 2022|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=8 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908113739/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62836057|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/08/queen-under-medical-supervision-at-balmoral-after-doctors-concerns|title=Queen under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors' concerns|website=[[The Guardian]]|last=Davies|first=Caroline|date=8 September 2022|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=8 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908114820/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/08/queen-under-medical-supervision-at-balmoral-after-doctors-concerns|url-status=live}}</ref>}} The Queen's four children along with her daughters-in-law, and [[Prince William]] and [[Prince Harry]], travelled to Balmoral.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/queen-under-medical-supervision-as-doctors-are-concerned-for-her-health-12692805|title=Queen under medical supervision as doctors are concerned for her health. Prince Charles, Camilla and Prince William are currently travelling to Balmoral, Clarence House and Kensington Palace said|website=Sky News|date=8 September 2022|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=8 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908113720/https://news.sky.com/story/queen-under-medical-supervision-as-doctors-are-concerned-for-her-health-12692805|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/duke-york-princess-anne-prince-7562410|title=Duke of York, Princess Anne and Prince Edward all called to Queen's side|website=Plymouth Live|last=Shaw|first=Neil|date=8 September 2022|access-date=8 September 2022|archive-date=8 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908161855/https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/duke-york-princess-anne-prince-7562410|url-status=live}}</ref>

At around 14:00, the [[BBC]] suspended the schedule for [[BBC One]] to continuously cover the Queen's condition, with all BBC news journalists and broadcasters dressed in black. Special reports about her condition were run on other main television channels in the United Kingdom: [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]], [[Channel 4]] and [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whittock |first=Jesse |date=8 September 2022 |title=BBC Suspends Schedule As Concerns Grow Over Queen's Health; UK Broadcasters Cut Into Programs To Relay News |url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/bbc-one-queen-elizabeth-ii-health-concerns-grow-schedule-1235111048/ |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908144510/https://deadline.com/2022/09/bbc-one-queen-elizabeth-ii-health-concerns-grow-schedule-1235111048/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At 15:07, a BBC correspondent, [[Yalda Hakim]], prematurely tweeted, in advance of any formal announcement, that the Queen had died; she later withdrew the tweet.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Ben |last=Cost |date=8 September 2022 |title=BBC correspondent falsely reported queen died, shocking Twitter |url=https://nypost.com/2022/09/08/bbc-correspondent-falsely-claims-that-queen-died/ |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=New York Post |language=en-US |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908173731/https://nypost.com/2022/09/08/bbc-correspondent-falsely-claims-that-queen-died/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

At 16:30, Prime Minister [[Liz Truss]] was informed of the Queen's death by [[Cabinet Secretary (United Kingdom)|cabinet secretary]] [[Simon Case]].<ref name="guardian-key-moments">{{cite web |last=Quinn |first=Ben |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/08/queen-elizabeth-dies-key-moments-from-a-dramatic-day |title=Queen Elizabeth dies: key moments from a dramatic day |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=8 September 2022 |access-date=9 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62842010 |title=Politicians pay tribute to Queen's warmth and wisdom |website=[[BBC News]] |date=8 September 2022 |access-date=9 September 2022}}</ref>

At around 17:00, members of the royal family who had flown from [[RAF Northolt]] to Scotland arrived at Balmoral, including Prince William, [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York|Prince Andrew]], [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|Prince Edward]] and his wife, [[Sophie, Countess of Wessex]].<ref name="guardian-key-moments"/>

The royal family's official Twitter account announced her death in a tweet timestamped 18:30 [[British Summer Time|BST]], stating:{{quote|The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. [[Charles III|The King]] and [[Camilla, Queen consort of the United Kingdom|The Queen Consort]] will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 September 2022 |title=Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace announces |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886 |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908173308/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="townandcountrymag">{{Cite web |last=Hallemann |first=Caroline |date=8 September 2022 |title=Queen Elizabeth, the Longest-Reigning British Monarch in History, Has Died |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a38313807/queen-elizabeth-death-obituary/ |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=Town & Country |language=en-us |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908182715/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a38313807/queen-elizabeth-death-obituary/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}British television announcements of the Queen's death came shortly after, and included the aforementioned statement being read verbatim by news presenter [[Huw Edwards]] during a live broadcast across all [[BBC television]] channels after which the national anthem was played.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sweney |first1=Mark |last2=Waterson |first2=Jim |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/08/bbc-one-overrides-programming-with-blanket-news-of-queens-health |title=BBC One announces Queen's death and plays national anthem |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=8 September 2022 |access-date=9 September 2022}}</ref>

The Queen died with two of her children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, at her bedside.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/queen-elizabeth-death-charles-and-anne-at-her-bedside-andrew-edward-william-all-rushed-to-be-with-her/XIKJC3BQDBFVTHPDFNGXWCLCHI/|title=Queen Elizabeth death: Charles and Anne at her bedside; Andrew, Edward, William all rushed to be with her|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=9 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref>

==Succession==
[[File:Charles Prince of Wales.jpg|thumb|188x188px|Charles III, then Prince of Wales, in 2017]]
Upon the Queen's death, her eldest son [[Charles III|Charles]], [[Prince of Wales]], immediately acceded to the throne as [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King]] of the [[United Kingdom]] and fourteen other [[Commonwealth realm]]s.<ref name="BBCNewsInfo" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 September 2022 |title=Charles is the new King |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59135132 |access-date=8 September 2022}}</ref>

There had long been speculation regarding what [[regnal name]] the former Prince of Wales would take upon succeeding his mother. During her formal televised address outside [[10 Downing Street]], Prime Minister Truss made the first ''[[de facto]]'' authoritative announcement concerning the King's regnal name when she stated:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-62832807|title=In full: Prime Minister Liz Truss pays tribute to Queen|work=BBC|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref>

{{quote|Today the Crown passes – as it has done for more than a thousand years – to our new monarch, our new head of state: [[Majesty|His Majesty]] [[Charles III|King Charles III]].}}

[[Clarence House]] confirmed the new King would be known as Charles III shortly after the Prime Minister's address. Buckingham Palace released the King's first official statement as monarch at 19:04 BST:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/08/uk/buckingham-palace-queen-announcement-intl/index.html|title=How the royal family announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II|work=CNN|first=Stephanie|last=Busari|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref>

{{quote|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.

We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.}}

The [[Accession Council]] is expected to assemble on 10 September at [[St James's Palace]] to formally [[Proclamation of accession of Charles III|proclaim the accession]] of the new king. Although about seven hundred are eligible to attend this ceremony, due to the short notice the actual turnout is expected to be much lower. In addition to other formalities, the Council is expected ''[[de jure]]'' to confirm Charles III as the King's regnal name. 

No date has been announced for the King and Queen Consort's [[Coronation of Charles III and Camilla|coronation]].<ref name="townandcountrymag"/>

==Funeral==
Details about the state funeral have not yet been announced; however, it is expected to take place twelve days after her death.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2022 |title=The Queen's funeral: what we can expect over the next 10 days |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/08/the-queens-funeral-what-we-can-expect-over-the-next-10-days |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908192343/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/08/the-queens-funeral-what-we-can-expect-over-the-next-10-days |archive-date=8 September 2022 |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

==Reactions==
{{Main|Reactions to the death of Elizabeth II}}
In accordance with the protocol implemented after the [[Death of Diana, Princess of Wales|death]] of [[Diana, Princess of Wales]], the [[Flag of the United Kingdom|Union flag]] at [[Buckingham Palace]] was lowered to [[half-mast]].<ref name="bbc">{{Cite web |title=UK and world react to death of Queen Elizabeth II |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-62842089 |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=[[BBC News]] |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908174038/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-62842089 |url-status=live }}</ref> It also flew at half-mast at 10 Downing Street and Balmoral Castle.<ref name="DH-Flag">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-62839831|title=Queen Elizabeth II: Flags lowered as Queen's death announced|work=BBC|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-balmoral-flag-b2163188.html|title=Balmoral Castle flies union jack at half-mast following death of Queen Elizabeth II|work=The Independent|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref> Because the new monarch was already at Balmoral Castle when he became King, the [[Royal Standard of the United Kingdom]] was [[The king is dead, long live the king!|lowered and raised again]] at the castle following his mother's death. The Royal Standard was also lowered to half-mast at the [[Palace of Holyroodhouse]],<ref name="DH-Flag"/> while the [[Welsh flag]] at [[Cardiff Castle]] was lowered as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-wales-62839058|title=Queen Elizabeth II death: Cardiff Castle flag lowered|work=BBC|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref> On 9 September, bells will be tolling at [[Westminster Abbey]], [[St Paul's Cathedral]] and [[Windsor Castle]], and a 96-[[gun salute]] will take place in Cardiff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62846906|title=Queen Elizabeth II: Gun salute tribute set for Cardiff|work=BBC|date=9 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref>

Hundreds of people were gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace in London at the time of the announcement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62844183|title=Queen Elizabeth II: The moment the Buckingham Palace crowds learned the news|work=BBC|first=Andre|last=Rhoden-Paul|date=9 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref> Many others used social media to post condolences and tributes for her and the British royal family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reichard |first=Ryan |date=8 September 2022 |title=Late Queen Elizabeth II Mourned on Social Media: See Twitter Reactions to Her Majesty's Death |url=https://popcrush.com/late-queen-elizabeth-ii-mourned-on-social-media-see-twitter-reactions/ |website=PopCrush |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908194515/https://popcrush.com/late-queen-elizabeth-ii-mourned-on-social-media-see-twitter-reactions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Floral tributes were later left outside [[Sandringham House]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-62838107|title=Queen Elizabeth II: Floral tributes left outside Sandringham|work=BBC|first1=Mariam|last1=Issimdar|first2=Rachael|last2=McMenemy|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref>

Flags at [[Centre Block|Parliament Hill]] in [[Ottawa]] and the [[United States Capitol|Capitol Building]] and the [[White House]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] were flown at half-mast in her honour.<ref>{{cite tweet| user=DanTaekema|number=1567937605718757377| title=The flag at the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill is now flying at half-mast to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.| date=8 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Amy |title=Pelosi orders Capitol flags to be flown at half-staff after queen's death |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/08/queen-elizabeth-ii/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=8 September 2022 |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908151529/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/08/queen-elizabeth-ii/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Empire State Building]] in [[New York City]] illuminated in purple and silver, the [[Eiffel Tower]] in [[Paris]] went dark at midnight, and the Union flag was displayed at the [[Tel Aviv City Hall]] as a tribute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/world/dark-eiffel-tower-purple-silver-empire-state-building-how-world-monuments-are-honouring-the-queen-5920237.html|title=Eiffel Tower Goes Dark, Empire State Building Glitters Purple and Silver, White House Flag at Half-mast: How World Monuments are Paying Tribute to the Queen|work=News18.com|date=9 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref>

The [[Royal Pavilion]] in [[Brighton]], [[Nottingham Council House]], and the [[County Hall, Matlock|County Hall]] in [[Matlock, Derbyshire|Matlock]] illuminated in the royal<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dunn|first=Casey|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/science/the-color-of-royalty-bestowed-by-science-and-snails.html|title=The Color of Royalty, Bestowed by Science and Snails|date=2013-10-09|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-04-04|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and funerary<ref>{{cite web|url=http://england.prm.ox.ac.uk/englishness-funeral-clothing.html|title=English Funeral and mourning clothing|work=ox.ac.uk}}</ref>
colour [[purple]] in memory of the Queen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Pavilion in Brighton lit up in memory of Queen Elizabeth II |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/21239394.amp/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=www.theargus.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-62843265|title=Queen Elizabeth II: Nottinghamshire pays tribute to monarch|work=BBC News|first=Liam|last=Barnes|date=9 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-derbyshire-62842756|title=Queen Elizabeth II: Tributes from across Derbyshire|work=BBC News|first=Amy|last=Phipps|date=9 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref> The [[National Memorial Arboretum]] set up books of condolence and announced tributes would be paid to the Queen at a special reading at Millennium Chapel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-62842044|title=Staffordshire pays tribute after Queen Elizabeth II dies|work=BBC News|date=9 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref> [[St Laurence's Church, Ludlow|St Laurence's Church]] in [[Ludlow]] and [[Shrewsbury Abbey]] are due to hold memorial services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-62843365|title=Queen devoted her life 'to the service of her people'|work=BBC News|date=9 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref>

All sporting events in the UK scheduled through the weekend are expected to be postponed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/62840622|title=Sporting events called off following death of Queen Elizabeth II|work=BBC|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref> The [[Last Night of the Proms]] and the [[Mercury Prize]] were among the events that were called off, while the [[Royal Opera House]] announced that they would not go on with the opening night of one of their new productions and will not be operating on the day of the state funeral.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62825157|title=Last Night of the Proms and Mercury Prize called off after the Queen's death|work=BBC|first=Mark|last=Savage|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref> Several unions responsible for organising the [[2022 United Kingdom industrial disputes|strikes by postal workers and rail staff]] announced that they would postpone their actions "out of respect for her service to the country and her family".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62827929|title=Strike action cancelled after the Queen's death|work=BBC|first=Beth|last=Timmins|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=9 September 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Operation London Bridge]] and [[Operation Unicorn (Scotland)|Operation Unicorn]], official plans for handling the Queen's death.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.royal.uk/announcement-death-queen Announcement of the death of The Queen] – The Royal Household

{{State funerals in the United Kingdom}}
{{Elizabeth II |state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Elizabeth II]]
[[Category:State funerals in the United Kingdom|+]]
[[Category:September 2022 events in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2022 in Scotland]]
[[Category:21st century in Aberdeenshire]]
[[Category:Death of women]]
[[Category:Deaths by person in the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]