Kings Charles III thanks Queen for her 'love and devotion' and pledges to 'serve with loyalty, respect and love' in address to nation
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The announcement of her passing was made by Buckingham Palace at 6.30pm on Thursday, September 8. She died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, with some of her closest family by her side.
Her Majesty the Queen ruled for longer than any monarch in British history, dedicating her lifetime to serving the UK and Commonwealth.
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Hide AdIt was announced on Friday, September 9 by Buckingham Palace that a period of royal mourning will be observed until seven days after the Queen’s funeral.
King Charles III addressed the nation for the first time at 6pm on Friday evening, September 9.
In his address, he pledged to “serve with loyalty, respect and love” as he thanked the late Queen for her “love and devotion”.
He earlier greeted crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace and held his first in-person audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss.
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Hide AdIn the North East, the iconic Great North Run half marathon has been confirmed as going ahead this Sunday (September 11). The 13.1-mile route runs between Newcastle and South Shields, raising thousands for charity.
Other events due to take place throughout the Great Run weekend have been postponed, as have Premier League and EFL fixtures across the coming days.
BBC One has also suspended its regular programming schedule in the wake of the Queen’s death and is airing rolling news coverage on Friday.
A lifetime of service and the legacy left behind
Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne came in February 1952, following the death of her father (King George VI), with her coronation at Westminster Abbey taking place in June 1953.
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In June 2022, an extended celebration was held in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as the nation paid tribute to the dignity, dedication and duty of the Monarch.
The nation has united in mourning as countless tributes are paid to Queen Elizabeth II, with people and organisations alike recognising her unwavering determination to serve her people.
Her son Charles, whose new title has been confirmed as King Charles III, will now serve as monarch – our first King in more than 70 years.
After returning to London with the Queen Consort (Camilla, formerly the Duchess of Cornwall), he is expected to address the nation for the first time on Friday.
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Hide AdBuckingham Palace confirmed that the King will be proclaimed at the Accession Council at 10am on Saturday (September 10) in the State Apartments of St James’s Palace.
You can read tributes following the Queen’s passing and updates on what happens next below.
Kings Charles III thanks Queen for her ‘love and devotion’ and pledges to ‘serve with loyalty, respect and love’ in address to nation
Key Events
- A period of national mourning is underway following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96; she was Britain's longest-serving monarch.
- King Charles III has addressed the nation for the first time, pledging to “serve with loyalty, respect and love”.
- The King ended his address with tribute to “darling Mama”.
- Some sporting events over the weekend have been cancelled as a mark of respect. Sunday's Great North Run will take place as planned.
- William will become Prince of Wales.
- Tributes continue to pour in from across the globe in recognition of the Queen's lifetime of service and dedication. She ruled for more than 70 years.
- We’ll bring you more updates on Saturday.
A mark of respect
Theatres across the country will be dimming their lights and observing a minute’s silence, playing the national anthem and opening books of condolences prior to performances as mark of their respect, following news of the death of the Queen.
Mercury Prize Awards postponed
Tonight’s scheduled Mercury Prize award ceremony has been postponed, it has been announced.
A statement from organisers said: “Tonight’s Mercury Prize event has been postponed at this time of great national sorrow. We know everyone involved in the Mercury Prize will understand.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family at this very difficult time.
“We will make an announcement regarding future arrangements as soon as we are able”.
Harry Styles, Sam Fender and Little Simz were among the acts in the running for the prestigious prize.
Queen Elizabeth II made many visits to the North East
Over her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II made many visits to the North East. And thousands of people across the region’s communities played a part in these milestone occasions. Here, we remember some of her visits in pictures.
‘The nation and world mourns today’
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “The nation and the world mourns today in recognition of the extraordinary service of our Queen – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She served for 70 years with unrivalled grace, dignity and purpose.
“Throughout a period of unprecedented transformation, she was a source of great stability, inspiring hope during the most testing of times and exemplifying the best of what it means to be British.
“I’m proud to have served as Mayor of London while Queen Elizabeth II was our monarch. I know Londoners, and people across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, are immensely proud and grateful for what she achieved for us all over so many years.
“I offer my condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.”
‘Served this country to the last'
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said: “The United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and the entire world are joined together in mourning this evening.
“HM Queen Elizabeth II served this country to the last. I offer my sincere condolences to the Royal Family. May she rest in peace.”
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service pays tribute
The Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty earlier today and there is a sombre mood across the nation today.
Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther said: “We at TWFRS want to offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this time.
“This is a deeply sad day and the flags at community fire stations across our region have been lowered to half-mast.
“Her Majesty always put public duty first and that is something we can all resonate with as public servants ourselves.
“Like many at TWFRS, I hold a great deal of respect for Her Majesty and everything she has achieved during her time as our country’s monarch.
“The awarding of the Queen’s Medal was one of the proudest moments of my career and it is something I will cherish forever.
“I alongside members of the Service will be in attendance at a number of ceremonial events across our region in the coming days and weeks to represent TWFRS.
“It will be a sombre time but I also know it will bring our communities even closer together on what is a significant day in our country’s history.
“We will continue to carry out our duty, as Her Majesty did in times of tragedy, and we will be here to keep you safe if you need our help.”
Floral tributes at Windsor Castle
Mourners gather laying flowers outside Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. There are hundreds of people paying their respects outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday evening. Picture: PA.
‘A rock of strength for our nation'
Former PM David Cameron said “there are no words that can adequately express the sense of loss our nation will feel” after the Queen’s death.
In a statement posted on Twitter, he said the Queen had been “a rock of strength for our nation and the Commonwealth”.
“There can simply be no finer example of dignified public duty and unstinting service, and we all owe our sincere gratitude for her continued devotion, living every day by the pledge she made on her 21st birthday. Her dedication to our country has been incomparable and, as such, she leaves an enduring legacy.”
He added he was “very proud” to have served as the Queen’s twelfth prime minister, adding it was a “privilege” to call on her “sage advice and wise counsel”.
Mr Cameron also paid tribute to her record in foreign and domestic affairs, adding: “My thoughts and prayers are with the King and the royal family at this time of great sadness.
“The country has lost a devoted public servant; and the royal family has lost a much-loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother.”
‘May she rest in peace'
Jeremy Corbyn, who as Labour Party leader was Leader of the Opposition between 2015 to 2020, tweeted: “My thoughts are with the Queen’s family as they come to terms with their personal loss, as well as those here and around the world who will mourn her death.
“I enjoyed discussing our families, gardens and jam-making with her.
“May she rest in peace.”
New titles for William and Kate confirmed
Kensington Palace has confirmed that Kate and William will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.
Respects paid across the North East and beyond
Northumberland County Council is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. Flags will be lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect, and details of where residents can pay their respects in books of condolence will be shared in the coming days.
The view at Buckingham Palace
The Union Jack above Buckingham Palace flies at half mast following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: PA.
The announcement on the gates of Buckingham Palace
Officials have displayed a plaque announcing the Queen’s death on the gates outside Buckingham Palace.
It reads: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
“The King and Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Police officers are attempting to move the crowd back, but a huge scrum has formed at the front of the royal residence.
Statement from Sunderland City Council leader
Leader of Sunderland City Council, Cllr Graeme Miller, has said “we will never see her likes again” in a heart-felt tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her sad passing.
He said: “I was born in 1962 the only monarch I’ve ever known. She has been a real stalwart for the British people and we will not see the likes again.
“My thoughts are with her family at these difficult times and I’m sure she will be in the hearts of the British people at this time.
”On the formalities of how the city will recognise the Queen’s passing, Cllr Miller added: “The office of the Lord Lieutenant deals with the arrangements after the death of a monarch and they will be informing all local authorities about exactly what to do.”