Queen Elizabeth II: UK’s longest-reigning monarch dies aged 96

Tearful crowds sing ‘God Save the Queen’ at Buckingham Palace

(Reuters) 1000’s of individuals gathered exterior Buckingham Palace in London, shedding tears and singing “God Save the Queen” in an impromptu present of emotion as information emerged that Queen Elizabeth had died.

A double rainbow arched over the London skyline shortly earlier than well-wishers fell into surprised silence because the palace lowered its Union Jack flag to half-staff, signifying the demise of the monarch.

“We have grown up along with her all the time being there,” stated advisor Margaret Parris, tears welling up in her eyes. She had travelled 32 km to the palace after listening to earlier within the day that the Queen had fallen unwell.

The temper on the esplanade in entrance of Buckingham Palace was very totally different three months in the past, when the Queen appeared on the balcony to large cheers from revellers having fun with her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which marked her 70 years on the throne.

On Thursday, a way of hysteria turned to shock when information of her demise was introduced. The palace posted an official discover on the gates exterior, which Londoners and vacationers alike pressed ahead to see.

1000’s extra individuals began to reach, some carrying flowers. “It felt like historical past within the making, so we rushed over to the palace. Fairly one thing for a vacation,” stated Nabeel Dockrat, 26, a vacationer from South Africa.

The sense of historical past passing was felt simply as keenly 300 miles away in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. 

“It is a type of days like ‘the place had been you when JFK was shot? The place had been you on 9/11?’,” stated Laura McGee, 37, a solicitor from Glasgow. “I feel individuals appreciated, whether or not you’re a royalist or not, that she actually gave an incredible service and quite a bit to the nation.”

At Buckingham Palace, 22-year-old scholar Adam Wilkinson-Hill arrived with a bunch of white lilies on behalf of himself and a bunch of his mates who couldn’t be within the capital.

“It is a large shock to the nation,” he stated.