QUEEN Elizabeth II has died at Balmoral aged 96.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “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.”
The Queen’s eldest son Charles will lead the country in mourning as the new King.
All the Queen’s children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision, BBC reported.
Her grandson, Prince William, is also there, with his brother, Prince Harry, on his way.
The Queen, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, came to the throne in 1952 and her reign spanned 15 prime ministers — from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, who was appointed by the Queen earlier this week.
The King said in a statement: “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.”
PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“For most Canadians, we have known no other Sovereign. Queen Elizabeth II was a constant presence in our lives. Time and again, Her Majesty marked Canada’s modern history. Over the course of 70 years and twenty-three Royal Tours, Queen Elizabeth II saw this country from coast to coast to coast and was there for our major, historical milestones.
“She would proclaim ‘it was good to be home’ when returning to her beloved Canada. She was indeed at home here, and Canadians never ceased to return her affection.
“Her Majesty vowed to devote her life to the service of the Commonwealth and its people. On behalf of all Canadians, I thank Queen Elizabeth II for honouring this vow and for a lifetime of service.
“Her Majesty’s reign spanned so many decades – a period when we came into our own as a confident, diverse, and forward-looking country. It is her wisdom, compassion, and warmth that we will always remember and cherish.
“Today, a page has not only been turned, but a chapter in our shared history has drawn to a close. I know Her Majesty’s service to Canada and Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history. The coming days will be a period of mourning for Canadians, as it will be for all Commonwealth citizens, ending with a national day of mourning when a commemorative service will be held to mark the passing of our Sovereign.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I express our heartfelt condolences to members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time.”
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B.C. Premier John Horgan issued the following statement:
“British Columbians are deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen will be remembered for her full-hearted service to her people, and her steadfast commitment to her duties as the sovereign and head of the Commonwealth.
“The Queen held a special place in her heart for British Columbia. We were honoured to host the Queen seven times, six as reigning monarch. With each visit, the Queen brought British Columbians together in common purpose.
“In the 1970s, the Queen joined us as we celebrated B.C.’s 100th anniversary. In the 1980s, the Queen officially granted the Province its Coat of Arms, an important symbol of our independence and sovereignty. In the 1990s, the Queen honoured us by opening the Commonwealth Games. And in the 2000s, during her Golden Jubilee Year, the Queen dropped the puck at a Vancouver Canucks game, to the delight of hockey fans.
“At every opportunity, Queen Elizabeth II made time for people, especially children. For the tens of thousands of people who came out to see the Queen as she travelled to communities throughout B.C., these moments will be cherished for a lifetime.
“The Queen’s legacy will live on in the many organizations and charities she supported. Among them was the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, created to protect and conserve forests throughout the Commonwealth. In 2016, the Queen designated B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest as part of the canopy during the royal tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
“Our thoughts are with all members of The Royal Family.
“On behalf of the Province, I offer my deepest condolences.
“God save the King.”
