September 9, 2022 GMT https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-britain-monarchy-a83dba4dd181f51591531de2ce0249c0 LONDON (AP) — Britain’s new king prepared to meet with the prime minister on Friday and address a nation mourning Queen Elizabeth II, the only British monarch the wider world has known and a force of stability in a volatile era. The country began a 10-day period of mourning on Friday, with bells tolling across Britain and 96 gun salutes planned in London – one for each year of the queen’s long life. People around the world gathered at British embassies to pay their respects to the Queen, who died on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. King Charles III, who has spent much of his 73 years preparing for the role, takes the throne at a time of uncertainty for both his country and the monarchy itself. On his first full day in office on Friday, he is expected to return to London, meet Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was appointed days earlier, and deliver a speech to the nation at a time when many Britons are preoccupied with an energy crisis, the rapidly cost of living, the war in Ukraine and the consequences of Brexit. Hundreds of people arrived throughout the night to leave flowers outside the gates of Buckingham Palace, the monarch’s London home, or simply to pause and reflect. Financial officer Giles Cudmore said the Queen “has just been steadfast through everything, the good and the bad”. “It was just the foundation of my life, of the country,” he said. Daily politics was put on hold, with lawmakers paying tribute to the monarch in parliament for two days, starting at noon. Many sporting and cultural events were canceled as a mark of respect and some businesses – including Selfridges and Legoland – closed their doors. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the Queen’s death marked a “huge change” for Britain and the world. “A part of our lives that we took for granted as permanent is no longer there,” he said. Elizabeth was Britain’s longest-serving monarch and a symbol of stability in a turbulent era that saw the decline of the British Empire and disarray in her family. Members of the royal family had rushed to her side at the family’s Balmoral country home after her health deteriorated. On Friday, Truss and other senior ministers are expected to attend a memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Charles, who became monarch immediately after his mother’s death, will be formally crowned king in a special ceremony on Saturday. After a vigil in Edinburgh, the Queen’s coffin will be taken to London and lie in state for several days before her funeral at Westminster Abbey. As the second Elizabethan Era drew to a close on Thursday, the BBC played the national anthem, “God Save the Queen”, over a portrait of the monarch in full reign as her death was announced. The flag over Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast. And in one of the first of many shifts to come, the hymn played Friday was “God Save the King.” The impact of losing Elizabeth will be huge and unpredictable for Britain. It helped stabilize and modernize the monarchy through decades of massive social change, but its relevance in the 21st century has often been called into question. The enduring public affection for the Queen had helped maintain support for the monarchy during the family scandals, but Charles is not as popular. Charles called his mother’s death “a moment of greatest sadness for me and all my family”, adding: “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Kingdoms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.” The changing of the guard comes at a difficult time for Britain – and immediately followed by a brand new prime minister. Truss, appointed by the Queen just 48 hours earlier, called Elizabeth “the rock on which modern Britain was built”. Some people gathered outside Buckingham Palace wept as officials carried a notice confirming the Queen’s death through the wrought iron gates on Thursday. Hundreds gathered in the rain and mourners placed piles of colorful bouquets at the gates. World leaders expressed condolences and paid tribute to the queen. In Canada, where the British monarch is the country’s head of state, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s eyes were red with emotion as he hailed her “wisdom, compassion and warmth.” In India, once the “jewel in the crown” of the British empire, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “She epitomized dignity and decency in public life. Her loss hurts.” US President Joe Biden called her “a culture of unparalleled dignity and stability that deepened the fundamental alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States.” Since February 6, 1952, Elizabeth has reigned over a Britain that was rebuilding from a devastating and economically draining war and the loss of its empire. joined the European Union and then left it. and made the painful transition into the 21st century. It endured through 15 prime ministers, from Winston Churchill to Truss, and became an institution and an icon – a reassuring presence even for those who ignored or hated the monarchy. She became less visible in her later years as age and infirmity limited many public appearances. However, it remained at the center of national life as Britain celebrated its Platinum Jubilee with days of parties and pageants in June. On Tuesday, he presided over a ceremony at Balmoral Castle to accept Boris Johnson’s resignation as prime minister and appoint Truss as his successor.
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