London, September 9 (BNA): Britain’s King Charles will address a mourning nation on Friday after the death of his mother and Queen Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, at the age of 96.
Charles, who raced to be by the Queen’s side before she died in her Scottish home on Thursday, is due to travel to London with his wife Camilla, now Queen, before meeting the prime minister and making a televised statement.
The death of the Queen, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and a prominent presence on the world stage for seven decades, has drawn condolences from all over the world.
At first light in London, members of the public continued to lay flowers outside Buckingham Palace and billboards across the city displayed messages of condolence. And newspapers published on their front page pictures of tribute to the Queen.
Thousands had gathered on Thursday outside the Queen’s Palace, where the news was met with astonishing silence as the flag was lowered to half-mast.
Charles, who automatically became king of the United Kingdom and head of 14 other kingdoms, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, said the death was a moment of great sadness for him and his family.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of a dear king and a very beloved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt across the country, realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” the 73-year-old said in a statement.
He is expected to meet Prime Minister Liz Truss on Friday before addressing the country at a later time. There will also be a gun salute.
News of the Queen’s deteriorating health emerged shortly after midday on Thursday when her doctors said in a statement that she was under medical supervision, prompting her family to head to Scotland.
The Queen has been experiencing what Buckingham Palace described as “occasional mobility issues” since the end of last year, forcing her to withdraw from nearly all of her public engagements. Her husband, Prince Philip, passed away at the age of 73 in 2021.
Her last public duties came only on Tuesday, when she named Truss prime minister – on her 15th.
“The death of Her Majesty the Queen is a great shock to the nation and the world,” Truss said outside her Downing Street office, where flags have been lowered like those in royal palaces and government buildings across Britain.
“Through thick and thin, Queen Elizabeth II has provided us with the stability and strength we need. She has been the spirit of Great Britain – and that spirit will continue to be.”
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