On September 8, the British royal family announced that Queen Elizabeth II had died in Balmoral after more than 70 years of reign in England. At the death of the 96-year-old monarch, she was followed by the declaration of national mourning for 10 days.
The queen’s coffin was transferred to London, where she was laid awake for four days before holding her state funeral. Thousands of citizens came to the funeral chapel, installed in Westminster Hall, to say goodbye to the monarch. The queue of people who wanted to say their last goodbye to Elizabeth II reached a length of almost 10 kilometers and waiting times of more than a day were established. This Monday, the state funeral was held, attended by political representatives and members of the main royal houses from around the world, including Spain. Late in the afternoon, the queen was buried in Windsor, in the same chapel where the coffins of her husband, her parents and her sister are located, after a family ceremony attended by the now king, Carlos III, and the queen consort, Camilla Parker-Bowles; along with the other children and grandchildren of Isabel II.
Buenas tardes. Buckingham Palace has announced that “doctors are concerned about the health of Queen Elizabeth II.” Charles from England and his wife Camilla Parker Bowles have already arrived in Balmoral where the 96-year-old monarch is.
Liz Truss shows her support for the British royal family
The British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, has written a message on her Twitter account to show her support for the British royal family in the face of the “worrying” state of health of the queen. “The whole country is deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this afternoon. My thoughts, and the thoughts of all citizens throughout our United Kingdom, are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time,” Truss wrote on her official Twitter account.
Canceled the ceremony of the guard pass
A sign at Buckingham Palace announces that the traditional passing of the guard ceremony this Thursday has been cancelled. The image is by Daniel Leal, from AFP.
Sturgeon: “My thoughts and wishes are with the Queen and the entire Royal Family”
The Scottish Prime Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has shown her support for Queen Elizabeth II with a message on her Twitter account: “We are all deeply concerned by the reports on Her Majesty’s health. My thoughts and wishes are with the Queen and the entire Royal Family at this time.”
Harry and Meghan move to Balmoral
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, who reside in the United States, were in the United Kingdom these days to participate in events scheduled in advance, and this Thursday they were in Germany. They have also decided to move to Balmoral, as confirmed by a spokesman for the couple.
The Archbishop of Canterbury dedicates his prayers to the Queen
Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, -the most important figure in the Anglican Church of England after Elizabeth II, who is the main head- has also used Twitter to express his support: “My prayers, and the prayers of all the people of The Church of England and the nation are with Her Majesty The Queen today. May the presence of God strengthen and comfort her Majesty, her family and all who care for her at Balmoral,” Welby wrote.
William of England and Kate Middleton have flown to Balmoral from Windsor
The eldest son of Charles of England and his wife, Kate Middleton, have flown to Balmoral from Windsor. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have left London and have just moved to that town (one hour from the British capital) and this Thursday is the first day of school for their three children, Jorge, Carlota and Luis. Yesterday the five of them went to the school, Lambrook, to meet the tutors and the principal.
In the photo by Jonathan Brady (AFP), Guillermo and Kate with their three children, from left to right, Jorge, Luis and Carlota, upon their arrival at Lambrook School on September 7, 2022.
Former Prime Minister David Cameron: ‘Deeply concerned by the news this afternoon’
David Cameron, former British Prime Minister, has expressed his concern about the Queen’s state of health on Twitter: “Deeply concerned by the news this afternoon from Buckingham Palace. I send my sincerest thoughts and prayers to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family at this time of concern.”
To the importance of Balmoral
Elizabeth II is in Balmoral, in Scotland, where she spends the summer season. It is a castle in the Highlands of Scotland, where the current Queen has spent the summer with her parents and her sister Margarita since she was a child, since it is owned by the British royal family: Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, bought it. in 1852, along with his 20,000-hectare estate, and since then it has belonged to the Windsors. There the monarch receives visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren every year, they go hunting, walking, fishing and having picnics. In this Cordon Press image, Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh with their children Charles, Anne and Andres at Balmoral in the summer of 1960.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair shows his “deep concern”
The organization of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has issued a statement after learning of the delicate state of health of the monarch: “It is deeply worrying to hear today’s news from Buckingham Palace. My thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty the Queen and her family at this troubling time.”
The speaker of the British Parliament pronounces on the health of Queen Elizabeth II in Parliament
Lindsay Hoyle, speaker (president) of the British Parliament, has interrupted the debate in the Chamber to send a message with his best wishes to the Queen. “I know I speak for the entire House when I say we send our best wishes to the Majesty of her the Queen of her,” Hoyle said.
A plane with seven relatives of the queen lands in Aberdeen
The plane that has transferred seven members of the British royal family from London to Aberdeen, in the north of Scotland, has already landed, according to the BBC. It is unknown who these relatives are.
Aberdeen airport is just over an hour’s drive from Balmoral Castle, where Queen Elizabeth II traveled a few months ago and where her four children and Prince William, one of her grandchildren, already accompany her.
Two children of the Queen and Prince William have already landed in Aberdeen
Princes Ana and Carlos, two of the children of Isabel II are already with the Queen, while Guillermo; Andrew, Duke of York; and Edward, Earl of Wessex, are on their way and have already landed in Aberdeen, an hour from the castle where the monarch is located. Different media, such as the Reuters agency, reported at 2:48 p.m. that Queen Elizabeth’s four children were already at Balmoral Castle, as well as Prince William. But both Guillermo and his uncle Andres and Eduardo have gotten off the plane that has landed in Aberdeen shortly before five in the afternoon.
What is known at the moment
- Queen Elizabeth II’s doctors showed this Thursday morning their “concern” about the monarch’s state of health.
- Of the four children of Elizabeth II, Princes Charles and Anne, are already at Balmoral Castle with her. Andrew, Duke of York, and Edward, Earl of Wessex, are on their way.
- Prince William is also expected to arrive. His wife, Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, has stayed in Windsor while Princes George, Charlotte and Louis are at school.
- Harry and Meghan Markle are on a trip to the UK. According to the BBC, only the Duke of Sussex would go to the castle.
- Leading UK political figures have been quick to publicly express their concern and support for Elizabeth II. “The whole country will be deeply concerned,” lamented Prime Minister Liz Truss.
- The Queen’s last public appearance was on Tuesday, when she received the new prime minister, Liz Truss, to commission her to form a government.
Who is with Elizabeth II at Balmoral?
Since Buckingham Palace has announced “concern for Her Majesty’s health”, the entire family of Queen Elizabeth II has traveled to Balmoral Castle, Scotland, to be with her. The first to arrive to accompany her were Charles of England, heir to the British throne, and his wife, Camilla of Cornwall. You can read the complete information here.
Concentration in Buckingham Palace
Dozens of people have come to Buckingham Palace in London, despite the rain, to follow live the evolution of the queen’s state of health. The image is by Neil Hall (Efe).
Biden and Trudeau show their concern about the state of health of the queen
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has written a message of concern for the health of the monarch on his Twitter account: “My thoughts, and the thoughts of Canadians across the country, are with Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II at this time. We wish her the best and send the best to the Royal Family.”
The White House has also published a statement in which it is said that “the thoughts of US President Joe Biden are with the queen and her family.”
Princes William, Andrew and Edward arrive at Balmoral
Prince William drives a car carrying Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sofia, Countess of Wessex, on the way to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Image is by Andrew Milligan (PA).
Von der Leyen prays for Elizabeth II, who “represents the history” of Europe
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, assured this Thursday that her thoughts and prayers are with Queen Elizabeth II, whose health is causing concern for doctors in the United Kingdom, and assured that the monarch “represents the whole history of Europe. At a press conference in Rotterdam, along with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Von der Leyen said that her “thoughts and prayers” are with the 96-year-old queen.
“She represents the whole history of Europe, which is our common home with our British friends. She has given us all in these years stability, confidence. She has shown us great courage. For me she is a legend, therefore, my prayers are with her”, declared the president, when asked by journalists about the issue during an appearance to support the recovery plan for the Netherlands. (Eph).
