Live BlogLAST UPDATE | 8 Sep 2022
QUEEN ELIZABETH II, the longest reigning monarch in Britain, has died.
Buckingham Palace have made a statement, saying that she passed away this afternoon.
Tributes to the queen from the British public continue to be posted throughout London and elsewhere this evening.
That’s all from us tonight, but our coverage of this historic event will continue tomorrow. Check back then for updates!
French president Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the queen, saying she “held a special status in France and a special place in the hearts of the French people”.
“She held a special status in France and a special place in the hearts of the French people.”
— Sophie Pedder (@PedderSophie) September 8, 2022
Macron’s tribute to the Queen pic.twitter.com/DC93YzcDTT
The UK’s House of Commons is set to gather tomorrow to pay tributes to the queen from 2pm until 10pm.
There will also be a rare weekend sitting of parliament from 2pm on Saturday, to allow MPs to take the oath to King Charles.
The last time a weekend sitting of the UK parliament took place was Oct 2019 to facilitate Brexit votes. Before that it was in April 1982.
Following the sad announcement of Her late Majesty The Queen’s demise, Business in the House of Commons will now be as follows: pic.twitter.com/DtfUaKOrEL
— UK House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) September 8, 2022
Flags have also been lowered to half mast at EU headquarters:
Respect for the late Queen Elizabeth from the EU. Flags at half mast pic.twitter.com/ZSezZ9yEzB
— Robert Peston (@Peston) September 8, 2022
The cancellation of some sporting events across the UK tomorrow has been announced.
Ulster have said their pre-season warm-up against Glasgow (which was due to take place in Scotland) is not taking place, while both Football League games in the Championship and League Two are also off.
As a mark of respect, and to acknowledge the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, tomorrow’s pre-season game against Glasgow Warriors has been cancelled.
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) September 8, 2022
More info ⬇️https://t.co/NIAvlcZTX7#GLAvULS
Breaking: EFL matches on Friday called off. Decision on rest of the weekend's games tomorrow.
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) September 8, 2022
As darkness falls and the rain pours, large crowds are continuing to gather outside Buckingham Palace in London to pay tribute to the queen.
There are occasional cheers to celebrate her life, as well as chants of “God save the king”.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has expressed his “personal sadness” following news of the queen’s death.
In a statement, Coveney conveyed his sympathies to King Charles, the royal family and the British public.
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) September 8, 2022
A single bouquet of flowers has been left outside the British Embassy in Dublin this evening:
Royal correspondent Charlie Proctor reports that senior British politicians and some royals are currently working on plans for the next few days, including the queen’s state funeral:
The Prime Minister is currently charing a meeting in London.
— Charlie Proctor (@MonarchyUK) September 8, 2022
In attendance are members of The Royal Household, the Home Secretary, the Defence Secretary, the police, and other key officials.
They are believed to be discussing plans for the days ahead & the State Funeral.
The Queen’s relationship with Ireland and vice versa is a tricky one – one filled with personal tragedies and centuries of violence.
Our reporter Rónán Duffy tackles the complexities of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the island of Ireland.
You can read it here.
Former Irish President Mary McAleese, who hosted the Queen on her historic visit to Ireland in 2011, has paid tribute to efforts to forge reconciliation during the peace process.
“The people of Ireland will fondly remember her historic visit in 2011 when her presence and her words did so much to cement a culture of reconciliation and partnership between these islands.
“The warm welcome she received underlined the great desire of the Irish people, a desire strongly reciprocated by Her Majesty, The Queen, for good neighbourly relationships to flourish between us.
“Let us hope that legacy, in which she invested so much, will be honoured and realised.”
Defence Forces military police lowering the Irish flag to half mast outside Government Buildings in Dublin after the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The wrought iron gates at Buckingham Palace have been brightened by dozens of colourful bouquets laid by mourners.
Several left notes, including one reading: “We had you for longer than we deserved you”.
Hundreds of people also streamed down the pavements winding through nearby Green Park on their way to pay tribute at the royal residence.
Mick Jagger has said that throughout his whole life the Queen has “always been there” as he recalled watching key moments in her life.
The frontman of The Rolling Stones shared a photo of the monarch on his Instagram and wrote: “For my whole life Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has always been there.
“In my childhood I can recall watching her wedding highlights on TV.
“I remember her as a beautiful young lady, to the much-beloved grandmother of the nation. My deepest sympathies are with the royal family.”
Crowds are continuing to gather outside Buckingham Palace.
Here are some up-to-date photos from our colleagues at the Press Association.
One well-wisher said it felt “special” to gather with other mourners outside Windsor Castle.
Lisa, who arrived on Thursday from Florida, said: “I turned the news on and I was shocked, I didn’t realise what had happened.”
Nodding to the gathering crowd, she said: “But today’s special … I feel this is good to be sitting here.
“And did you see the rainbow? It’s fading a little bit but it’s been beautiful.”
Of the Queen, Lisa said: “I admire her greatly. I actually have been collecting royal commemorative memorabilia for about 40 years.”
US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill said in a statement that “Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy” who “helped make our relationship special”.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald applauded Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy as someone who helped to repair relationships between Britain and Ireland.
She also extended her condolences to unionists in the North.
She said: “Relationships between our two countries for so long marked by conflict and suffering have been recast and reimagined through the Good Friday Agreement.
“The Queen proved a powerful advocate and ally of those who believe in peace and reconciliation.
“I salute her contribution to the huge change that has evolved in recent years. Her death is a moment of heartbreak and pride for the British people. To them, and especially to Irish unionists, I extend on behalf of Sinn Féin and Irish Republicans sincere condolences. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilis.”
Here’s a look at the new British King’s ancestry, courtesy of PA.
Lights on the Eiffel Tower will be turned off in tribute to the Queen, the mayor of Paris said.
Anne Hidalgo said she had offered her sympathy to Menna Rawlings, the British ambassador to France.
Tributes now coming in from the US.
The US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi said Americans are mourning the “sad passing” of the Queen, describing her as “a pillar of leadership in the global arena and a devoted friend of freedom”.
“On behalf of the United States Congress, I extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the royal family during this sad time,” Ms Pelosi said in a statement.
“Queen Elizabeth embodied the highest spirit of civic duty: earning the reverence of her people and the respect of the world.
“Her Majesty capably shepherded the United Kingdom through great turbulence and transition.
“Under history’s brightest spotlight, Queen Elizabeth offered a masterclass in grace and strength, power and poise. Her extraordinary life and leadership will continue to inspire young women and girls in public service, now and for generations to come.
Floral tributes have started to be laid outside Windsor Castle to mourn the death of the Queen.
The crowds outside were so big that staff members returning to the castle struggled to drive through the main entrance.
Lisa, a collector of royal memorabilia from Florida, said the Queen’s death had brought people together.
“I’m surprised at all the different kinds of people that are here,” she said.
“I’m hearing lots of different accents, lots of different cultures are represented. It’s a very nice thing.
“The world being as it is today, this is something we all agree on.”
In a statement, Clarence House confirms that Charles will be known as King Charles III.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is the latest to release a statement.
Statement on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1/3) pic.twitter.com/kDN6cW8Njp
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) September 8, 2022
Liz Truss said: “It’s an extraordinary achievement to have presided with such dignity and grace for 70 years. Her life of service stretched beyond most of our living memories.
“In return she was loved and admired by the people in the United Kingdom and all around the world.
“She has been a personal inspiration to me and to many Britons – her devotion to duty is an example to us all.”
There has been some debate over whether or not Charles would become King Charles III or take another name.
In what might be a sign of things to come, British Prime Minister Liz Truss referred to Charles, the new King, as King Charles III, saying: “Today the Crown passes, as it has done for more than a thousand years, to our new monarch, our new head of state, his majesty King Charles III.”
More now from those who idolised the monarch.
Annette German, who attended the Queen’s coronation, said the Queen “could not better have dedicated her life” to her people.
Speaking outside Buckingham Palace, Ms German, 84, a retired teacher from south London, said: “I was with my grandmother at the coronation and when I heard the news she was unwell, I thought I must be there and I got on a train and got the news as I was just round the corner.
“I share a birthday with the Queen and I’ve listened to the national anthem every birthday.
“I’m from a left-wing family but massively in favour, the Queen could not have better-dedicated her life to her country.”
Speaking of her shared birthday with the Queen, she said: “It’s a very special. I’ve had that link all that life.”
Elton John described the Queen as an “inspiring presence” and said he would “miss her dearly”.
The musical star said the Queen had been a huge part of his life “from childhood to this day” in his own online tribute.
“Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing,” Elton wrote.
“She was an inspiring presence to be around, and lead the country through some of our greatest, and darkest, moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth.
“Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly.”
More from Charles’ statement here:
“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.”
Charles, who became King on the death of his mother, said: “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.”
Fans of the Royal Family have been left shaken by the news.
Royal superfan John Loughrey, 67, from Wandsworth, south west London, wept outside Buckingham Palace as he said he “can’t believe” the news and paid tribute to the “inspirational” Queen whose “duty always came first”.
“I met the Queen twice. I gave flowers to her. I can’t believe it,” he said.
“She was inspirational. She served her duty – her duty always came first, her family next.
“She went downhill after the Duke of Edinburgh died. They were like two swans.
“God save the Queen.”
Mr Loughrey said he would be camping near the palace for 10 days as a mark of respect for the Queen before lighting a candle for her at Westminster Abbey.
There has been no shortage of world leaders paying respect to the 96-year-old.
The latest is Volodymyr Zelenskyy – Ukraine’s president.
He has said: “It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, we extend sincere condolences to the Royal Family, the entire United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over this irreparable loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
Time Magazine has also just issued a new commemorative cover following the death of the monarch.
TIME's new commemorative cover: Queen Elizabeth II, 1926-2022 https://t.co/NMT3FDTbaQ pic.twitter.com/od7VzQLRen
— TIME (@TIME) September 8, 2022
Officials brought out a notice confirming the Queen’s death to the gates of Buckingham Palace.
A large crowd has gathered to read it, and Royal Parks staff have begun constructing pens from metal barriers to control the public.
Officials have brought a notice confirming the Queen’s death to the gates of Buckingham Palace.
— PA Media (@PA) September 8, 2022
A large crowd has gathered to read it, and Royal Parks staff have begun constructing pens from metal barriers to control the public
📸: @belperbarlow pic.twitter.com/6fxP9tzaln
Sinn Féin’s leader in the North has also expressed her sympathy on the passing of the monarch.
Michelle O’Neill said she wanted to especially offer words of condolence to those in the unionist community.
I wish to especially acknowledge the profound sorrow of our neighbours from within the unionist community who will feel her loss deeply.
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) September 8, 2022
Personally, I am grateful for Queen Elizabeth’s significant contribution and determined efforts to advancing peace and reconciliation 2/4
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has now released a statement on behalf of the Government of Ireland.
He has also referenced her historic visit to Ireland in 2011.
The Queen’s reign was one of historic duration, immense consequence and a focus of respect and admiration around the world. Her dedication to duty and public service were self-evident and her wisdom and experience truly unique.
The Queen’s passing is indeed the end of an era. Her State Visit to Ireland in 2011 marked a crucial step in the normalisation of relations with our nearest neighbour.
That visit was a great success, largely because of the many gracious gestures and warm remarks made by the Queen during her time in Ireland.
Her popularity with the Irish people was also very evident and clearly made a very positive impact on the Queen. In particular, I recall the warmth of the welcome she received from the public in Cork during her walkabout at the English Market.
Michael D had welcomed Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland on her first official visit here back in 2011.
He noted the enormity of that visit to Anglo-Irish relations.
His statement added: “As President of Ireland, I recall the exceptional hospitality afforded to Sabina and myself by the Queen and the late Prince Philip on our four day State Visit to Britain in 2014. Together we celebrated the deeply personal interconnection between the Irish and British people, a connection embodied by the hundreds of thousands of families who have moved between our shores over the centuries.
“As we know, the Queen often spoke of how much she enjoyed her own historic State Visit to Ireland in 2011, the first such Visit by a British monarch since Irish independence, and during which she did so much through eloquent word and generous gesture to improve relations between our two islands.”
Michael D Higgins has expressed his regret at the monarch’s death.
A statement from the Irish president reads: “It is with profound regret and a deep personal sadness that I have learnt of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.On behalf of the people of Ireland, may I express my heartfelt sympathy to His Majesty King Charles and to the Royal Family on their very great personal loss.
“May I offer my deepest condolences to the British people and to the members of the Commonwealth on the loss of a unique, committed and deeply respected Head of State.”
The news was announced on the Royal Family’s official Twitter account as well as other official royal channels.
The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/VfxpXro22W
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