Rome minister Liz Truss paid tribute to the Queen at the start of the day’s sitting of the House of Commons after church bells tolled across the country at midday. Opening the afternoon of parliamentary tributes, he said the death of Queen Elizabeth II had caused a “heartfelt outpouring of grief” around the world. Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said the Queen would like Britons to “remember that in these times we must stand together”. He said one of the biggest lessons from the monarch’s reign was that “we are always better when we get past the trivial” to focus on the “things that bring us together”. Meanwhile, former prime minister Boris Johnson said he believed the Queen had “become the greatest statesman and diplomat of all”. The royal family has begun a long period of mourning following the peaceful death of Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral, aged 96. A period of royal mourning will be observed from Friday until seven days after the Queen’s funeral. The date of the funeral and the duration of national mourning have not yet been announced. The nation will hear from the new head of state, King Charles III, on Friday. A pre-recorded televised speech is expected to be broadcast around 6pm. At the same time, a public service will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and will be attended by Prime Minister Liz Truss. On Friday afternoon he will meet King Charles, who is returning to London from Balmoral with Queen Camilla. An hour later, several gun salutes will be fired across London – one round for each year of the Queen’s life. Meanwhile, new dedicated flower-laying areas will be set up in parks across the country as the royal residences close until after the Queen’s funeral. King Charles described Queen Elizabeth’s death as “a moment of the greatest sorrow for me and all my family”.
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Boris Johnson ‘choked up’ when talking about the Queen
Boris Johnson said he “choked up” and “choked up” when he was interviewed by BBC television staff a few months ago about the Queen. He told the House of Commons: “I’m not easily moved to tears, but I was so sad I had to ask them to go.” He said people’s shock is “more intense today” as they realize “the full magnitude of what he did for all of us”. “Think about what we’ve asked of this 25-year-old woman over the years.” 1662723989
Thousands gather for gun salute in Hyde Park
Thousands of people have lined the pavement in the south-east corner of London’s Hyde Park ahead of the Queen’s Death Salute. Armed forces officials began gathering boxes of ammunition a few hundred yards away as the crowd eagerly awaited a glimpse of the centuries-old tradition. Meanwhile, crowds continue to grow outside nearby Buckingham Palace. People gather on The Mall, outside Buckingham Palace / Jonathan Kanengoni 1662723574
King Charles on his way to London
The King arrived at Aberdeen International Airport wearing a dark suit and carrying what appeared to be an envelope as he made his way to the plane. Charles stopped to shake hands and chat with three people on the steps of the plane before Camilla, his new queen consort, joined him holding an umbrella. She was wearing a long black coat and walked up the steps and into the plane ahead of her husband. PAREUTERS1662723302
King Charles arrives at Aberdeen International Airport
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Notices to be read in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
As it happens, a second Proclamation will be read in the City of London at the Royal Exchange at noon on Saturday. Further Proclamations will be read in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at noon the following day, Sunday. In recognition of the new Sovereign, flags will fly at half-mast from the time of the Main Proclamation at St James’s Palace until one hour after the Proclamations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, after which flags will return to half-staff in mourning for death of Her Majesty the Queen. 1662723080
King to be proclaimed tomorrow at the Council of Accession
King Charles will be announced at the Accession Council at 10am on Saturday at the State Apartments of St James’s Palace, London, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. “The Accession Council, which was attended by secret advisers, is divided into two parts. In Part I, the Privy Council, without the King present, will declare the Sovereign and formally approve various subsequent Orders, including arrangements for the Proclamation. “Part II, being the participation of His Majesty the King’s first privy council. The King will make his Declaration and read and sign an oath to defend the safety of the Church in Scotland and pass Orders in Council facilitating the continuity of government. “The Accession Council will be followed by the Main Proclamation, which will be read at 11am from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’s Palace. The Proclamation will be read by the Garter King of Arms, accompanied by the Earl Marshal, other Officers of Arms, and the Serjeants at Arms. This is the first public reading of the Declaration.” 1662723656
Starmer: “We must unite”
The late Queen would have us roll up our collars and face the storm. To continue,” Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer told MPs. “He would like us to remember that in these moments we must be united. “In this moment of uncertainty…we must always remember one of the greatest lessons of our Queen’s reign. We are always better when we rise above the trivial… to focus on the things that unite us, rather than the things that divide us. “Her legacy will live on forever.” 1662722533
Starmer: Queen ‘kept nation together like no one else’
Sir Keir Starmer said the British people “love” the Queen. In his tribute to the House of Commons, the Labor leader said the Queen had a simple message during the lockdown that gave people strength and courage when they needed it most. “Covid closed the front doors of every home in the country…but he was able to reach beyond that and reassure us…at a time when we were most alone. “He held the nation together in a way no one else could. For that, we say thank you.” 1662722351
Truss spoke to King Charles after the Queen’s death
“We need to show the world that we are not afraid of what lies ahead,” Liz Truss told the House of Commons on Friday. “We pay homage to our late queen and offer loyal service to our new king.” The prime minister said she had spoken to King Charles III to send her condolences. “Even in mourning his sense of duty and service is clear. “God save the king.” 1662722183
Truss says the Queen shared the government’s “deep experience”.
“She remained determined to carry out her duties even at the age of 96,” Prime Minister Liz Truss said of the queen. “Only three days ago he invited me to form a government at Balmoral. “She generously shared with me her deep experience of governance, even in those final days.”
