By Times Chronicle Staff
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch died Thursday at 96, after 70 years on the throne.
Buckingham Palace announced her death Thursday morning Pacific time, at Balmoral Castle, her summer residence in Scotland.
Members of the Royal Family had earlier rushed to her side after her health took a turn for the worse.
Prince Charles, the Queen’s 73-year-old son will become king and will be known as King Charles III, his office announced. Charles’ second wife, Camilla, will be known as the Queen Consort as per Queen Elizabeth’s request.
Queen Elizabeth II in 2015. West Midlands Police photo on Wikipedia.
For most British citizens she was the only Monarch they had ever known. Since Feb. 6, 1952, Elizabeth reigned over a Britain that rebuilt from the devastation of World War II; lost much of its global empire; joined the European Union only to leave it decades later; and transformed from an industrial powerhouse to a service-oriented economy.
She was known for her razor-sharp sense of humour, graceful diplomacy and as a beacon of stability and continuity for the British people.
Here in Canada where the British monarch is the country’s head of state (one of 14 Commonwealth countries where she is head of state), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saluted her “wisdom, compassion and warmth.”
Premier John Horgan noted the Queen “held a special place in her heart for British Columbia,” adding the province was honoured to host the Queen seven times, six as reigning monarch. Horgan’s full statement is below.
Queen Elizabeth II in 2015. West Midlands Police photo on Wikipedia.
The Queen cut back on her activities in recent years as her age and frailty made public appearances more difficult. But through countless scandals involving her family in recent years, she remained firmly in control of the monarchy and solidly centred in the lives of the British population.
She celebrated her Platinum Jubilee with days of parties and pageants earlier this year in June 2022.
On Tuesday, she presided at a ceremony at Balmoral Castle to accept the resignation of Boris Johnson as prime minister and appoint Truss as his successor.
Married for more than 73 years to Prince Philip, who died in 2021 at age 99. She is survived by four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
The Royal Family’s sometimes turbulent affairs were a subject of global fascination as depicted by fictionalized accounts such as the Netflix series “The Crown.”
Premier John Horgan issued the following statement on the death of Queen Elizabeth II:
“British Columbians are deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen will be remembered for her full-hearted service to her people, and her steadfast commitment to her duties as the sovereign and head of the Commonwealth. The Queen held a special place in her heart for British Columbia. We were honoured to host the Queen seven times, six as reigning monarch. With each visit, the Queen brought British Columbians together in common purpose.
“In the 1970s, the Queen joined us as we celebrated B.C.’s 100th anniversary. In the 1980s, the Queen officially granted the Province its Coat of Arms, an important symbol of our independence and sovereignty. In the 1990s, the Queen honoured us by opening the Commonwealth Games. And in the 2000s, during her Golden Jubilee Year, the Queen dropped the puck at a Vancouver Canucks game, to the delight of hockey fans.
“At every opportunity, Queen Elizabeth II made time for people, especially children. For the tens of thousands of people who came out to see the Queen as she travelled to communities throughout B.C., these moments will be cherished for a lifetime.
“The Queen’s legacy will live on in the many organizations and charities she supported. Among them was the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, created to protect and conserve forests throughout the Commonwealth. In 2016, the Queen designated B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest as part of the canopy during the royal tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
“Our thoughts are with all members of The Royal Family. On behalf of the Province, I offer my deepest condolences.
“God save the King.”
