Charles (73) became king on the death of his mother. However, the formal proclamation as monarch will be made by a specially appointed council, which will meet at St. James’s Palace in London on Saturday. His wife Camilla (75) is Queen.
As the palace announced on Friday, mourning should continue for seven days after the funeral. Until then, the flags at the royal palaces should also be flown at half-staff, with the exception of the royal standard when the king is present.
Years ago, meticulous plans were made for what would happen after the Queen’s death. The funeral is expected to take place on Monday, September 19th. But that has not yet been confirmed by the palace. On Friday at 2 p.m. (CEST) in Hyde Park and at the Tower of London, 96 cannon shots were to be fired in honor of the late Queen.
The Queen’s state funeral, expected in ten days, is likely to be one of the biggest events of the 21st century. An online condolence book has been set up on the royals’ official website, allowing people from all over the world to leave their condolences with their name, email address and place of residence.
Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday at the age of 96 at her Scottish country estate of Balmoral. After Tuesday she had formally tasked Liz Truss with forming a government there. It was the last picture the public saw of the Queen. She had a cane in her hand and was stooped, but she gave her familiar beaming laugh again.
She was in her 70s, longer than any other British monarch before her on the throne. Elizabeth II was the head of state of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and more than a dozen other countries, including Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Although Elizabeth had no political power as a British monarch, she was considered one of the most important figures of her time. With an unwavering sense of duty and steadfastness, she led Britain through major changes.
Thousands of people gathered in the squares of Great Britain on Thursday, laid flowers or sang the national anthem “God Save the Queen”. Many broke down in tears as the flag was lowered at Buckingham Palace.