At the top of the palace, the Union Jack flew at half-mast, while hundreds of bouquets of flowers were placed at the base of the gates, including many with handwritten notes personally thanking the Queen for 70 years of service. Others remembered a monarch many thought of as “grandmother”. “You have to show gratitude for this woman,” said Gali Franklin, who was writing a card in Hebrew. Franklin, 47, grew up in Israel in a kibbutz, or settlement, where many were of British descent. He moved to the UK 20 years ago. WATCHES | King Charles arrives at Buckingham Palace and greets mourners:
King Charles greets well-wishers at Buckingham Palace
Arriving at Buckingham Palace with his wife, Camilla, King Charles greets and shakes hands with well-wishers. As Franklin spoke to the CBC, she stood among a swelling crowd that showed how widely the Queen was admired. “He represented all of us. All colors and mixed ages, nations,” Franklin said. “It unites us.”
Diverse crowd
Among the thousands who gathered at the palace were not only devoted monarchists, but office workers, students and multi-generational families who wanted to experience this moment together. There were lifelong Britons, recent immigrants and tourists whose holidays coincided with the Queen’s death. Next to a bouquet, someone had placed a portrait of Paddington Bear, another British institution, who helped the Queen celebrate her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, sharing tea with her in a video that went viral. In front of the flowers, some posed and took selfies, while others silently took a celebratory moment. A young woman reacts to some of the personal messages left in memory of Queen Elizabeth outside Buckingham Palace in London. (Briar Stewart/CBC) Linda Mauer, 55, bowed her head to say a prayer and then made the sign of the cross. “I always grew up with the Queen and she felt very close to me,” said Mauer. She grew up in Hong Kong but now lives in Seattle and was in London on holiday with her husband. “She really gave her whole life to protect the UK and the whole Commonwealth. I feel very grateful to her. She is a role model for me.”
Period of mourning
Crowds began gathering outside the palace on Thursday morning after news broke that the Queen was under medical supervision and her family rushed to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. After he died later that day, the United Kingdom began to mourn collectively. WATCHES | The Queen’s death causes an outpouring of grief in Britain:
The death of Queen Elizabeth causes an explosion of grief in Britain
Thousands of people rushed to Buckingham Palace as news of Queen Elizabeth’s death broke. How Britons absorb important news. Her portrait appears on electronic screens at every bus stop and many sporting events have been cancelled, including football matches in the UK Premier League. Planned industrial action by rail and postal workers has also been cancelled, as a mark of respect. MPs honored the Queen on Friday during special sittings in the House of Commons. Prime Minister Liz Truss, who met the Queen at Balmoral on Tuesday, called her “one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known”. “He was the rock on which modern Britain was built,” Truss said during her speech. Gali Franklin writes a tribute to the Queen in Hebrew. (Briar Stewart/CBC) King Charles III, who arrived by car at Buckingham Palace and shook hands with some people, declared a period of royal mourning that runs from Friday until seven days after the royal funeral. Once the Queen’s body is returned to London from Scotland, it is expected to lie in state for four days, when members of the public will also be able to witness the past.
The longest reigning monarch
Henry Jan appeared at Buckingham Palace in a three-piece suit and bowler hat, saying it was important to dress formally for such an important occasion. The 21-year-old is originally from China but has been studying in the UK for six years. He is currently a student at Oxford University and took the train on Friday morning to lay flowers. Electronic screens across London now display official portraits of the Queen. (Briar Stewart/CBC) “When there are crises and wars and when politicians come and go, she was always there,” Jan said. He added that while now is not the time to talk politics, he appreciates the Queen’s tactical diplomacy. When she visited China in 1986, she was the first British monarch to do so. The Queen’s death comes at a time of uncertainty about the way forward for the monarchy and the U.K. As 73-year-old King Charles prepares to take the throne, the country is in the grip of an energy crisis and struggling with high inflation. “I don’t think anyone will be able to replace him [the Queen]Tracey Wheeler said through tears, appearing at Buckingham Palace minutes after the monarch’s death. “She was amazing.”
