King Charles III returns to London

 

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday after a 70-year reign. The U.K.'s longest-reigning monarch, one of the world's most enduring and instantly recognizable personalities, died at her beloved summer home in Scotland, Balmoral Castle, at the age of 96. 

The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.

Her son King Charles III said the death of his beloved mother was a "moment of great sadness" for him and his family and that her loss would be "deeply felt" around the world.

He 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."

During the coming period of mourning, he said he and his family would be "comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held".

People in Britain and its commonwealth nations woke up on Friday with a new monarch for the first time in most of their lives. King Charles III returned to London from Scotland to meet the prime minister and address the British people for the first time as their monarch. 

Buckingham Palace announced that Charles had requested a formal "period of Royal Mourning" for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. 

The following week and a half will see a fastidiously orchestrated process of both mourning and constitutional transition play-out across Great Britain. It will be colored by the grief of a grateful nation mourning a queen with whom many felt a deep connection.  

Tributes continued to pour in from leaders, dignitaries and celebrities from across the globe Friday as thousands of people flocked to Buckingham Palace and the queen's other homes to lay flowers and notes of thanks for Elizabeth's lifetime of dedication and service. King Charles showed up with his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, to shake the hands of well-wishers in front of Buckingham Palace.

On Friday, thousands of people flocked to Buckingham Palace and the Queen's other residences to leave flowers and words of gratitude for Elizabeth's lifetime of commitment and service. The tributes came from world leaders, politicians, and celebrities. King Charles showed up with his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, to shake the hands of well-wishers in front of Buckingham Palace.